Landec Corporation (Nasdaq:LNDC), a developer and marketer of technology-based polymer products for food, agricultural and licensed partner applications, today reported results for the second quarter ended November 28, 2004. Unless otherwise noted, all financial statement amounts are stated on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP basis").

Total revenues for the quarter were $50.7 million versus revenues of $43.3 million for the same period a year ago. The Company reported a net loss for the quarter of $808,000, or $0.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $1.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal year 2004.

Revenues for the first six months of fiscal year 2005 were $97.5 million versus revenues of $85.1 million a year ago. The Company reported a net loss for the first six months of fiscal year 2005 of $1.5 million, or $0.06 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $2.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the first six months of the prior year.

"The results for the second quarter and first six months of fiscal year 2005 are in line with achieving our goals of continuing to grow revenues and improve our bottom line results," commented Gary Steele, President and CEO of Landec. "Consistent with the seasonality in our business and with the results from fiscal year 2004, we expected that the first half of fiscal year 2005 would show losses, and the second half and the full year are expected to be profitable."

Landec has achieved the following key milestones thus far in fiscal year 2005:

Apio, Inc., Landec's Food Subsidiary:

• Entered into a joint technology development and supply agreement with Chiquita for Apio to supply its proprietary banana packaging to Chiquita for sale with Chiquita(R) Brand bananas.
• Increased value-added specialty packaging vegetable revenues by 18% compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Increased the sales of the value-added vegetable tray line by 97% and the value-added 12-ounce product line by 14% compared to the same period in the prior year.
• Entered into an agreement with Caito Foods Service, Inc. of Indianapolis, Indiana, to regionally process, package and distribute Apio's value-added specialty packaged fresh-cut vegetable tray products.
• Increased export revenues by 27% and export gross profits by 33% compared to the same period last year.
• Established a new $10 million working capital line of credit and a $6 million equipment line of credit with better terms and more favorable financial covenants.

Landec Ag, Landec's Agricultural Seed Subsidiary:

• Introduced 26 new corn hybrids for 2005, bringing the line-up to 116 hybrid seed varieties it currently has for sale.
• Increased the Fielder's Choice Direct(R) hybrid offerings that use Intellicoat(R) Early Plant(R) seed coating technology to 55, up from 32 last year.
• Reported that Intellicoat Early Plant coated corn technology continues to perform well across all geographies and that it consistently provides good, uniform stands even when planted in adverse growing conditions, resulting in higher yields, and that in some cases in 2004, provided higher yields than late-planted corn by as much as 40 bushels per acre.

Landec Consolidated:

• Sold 486,111 shares of Landec Common Stock to Chiquita for $3.5 million in cash in conjunction with the joint technology development and supply agreement.
• Reduced Company-wide interest expense by $328,000, or 62%, compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2004.

"We have five primary objectives for fiscal year 2005: (1) grow our value-added specialty packaged food business, (2) grow our ag seed customer base and corresponding revenues for all of our seed products, (3) commercially launch our banana packaging technology with Chiquita, (4) continue to add strategic partner relationships in each of our businesses, and (5) increase revenues to over $200 million and meet or possibly exceed our financial plan to double net income over fiscal year 2004 net income of $2.9 million. Through the first six months of fiscal year 2005, we are meeting our plan," added Steele.

Apio, Inc.

"During the second quarter, sales of our value-added specialty packaging vegetable products grew 23% to $28.0 million compared to $22.8 million in the same period last year," stated Steele. "For the first six months of fiscal year 2005, sales of our value-added specialty packaging vegetable products grew 18% to $53.2 million compared to $45.1 million for the same period a year ago. Notably, our 12-ounce specialty packaged retail product line grew 17% during the three months, and 14% during the six months, ended November 28, 2004 compared to the same periods last year. In addition, our vegetable tray product line grew 95% during the three months, and 97% during the six months ended November 28, 2004, compared to the same periods last year. According to AC Nielsen, for the three months ended September 30, 2004, Apio was the number one supplier of vegetable trays to retail grocery stores in the United States, capturing 44% of the total retail vegetable tray market. This is an increase of 15 percentage points from 29% for the three months ended September 30, 2003. This market share data was based on sales reported for retail grocery stores with average annual revenues over $2 million that report to AC Nielsen. In addition, Apio's export revenues increased 16% during the quarter to $18.5 million from $15.9 million during the year ago second quarter and increased 27% to $36.2 million for the first six months of fiscal year 2005 from $28.5 million for the same period last year."

"Apio's gross profits from value-added vegetable products increased $671,000 during the second quarter and $532,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2005 compared to the same periods in the prior year. These increases in gross profits were primarily due to increased sales volume and the introduction of several new value-added products. The increase in value-added gross profits for the first six months of fiscal year 2005 compared to the same period last year was partially offset by lower gross margins on the sale of discontinued products and inventory write offs associated with the discontinued products in the first quarter of fiscal year 2005," said Steele. "In addition, export gross profits increased 28% during the second quarter compared to the same period last year to $1.0 million from $762,000. For the six months ended November 28, 2004, export gross profits increased to $2.0 million from $1.5 million during the same period last year. Overall Apio's net income increased to $1.5 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the three and six months ended November 28, 2004 compared to $864,000 and $2.1 million, respectively, for the same periods a year ago."

"In our banana program, in September 2004, the Company entered into a joint technology development and supply agreement with Chiquita Brands International, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, Apio will supply Landec's proprietary Intelimer(R) based packaging to Chiquita. Chiquita in turn will package Chiquita Brand bananas with Landec's proprietary banana packaging for sale worldwide," stated Steele. "This agreement with Chiquita is the culmination of several years of Landec research, development and market trials with bananas to validate our technology and its value in the marketplace. We are working with Chiquita to commercially launch several packaging formats worldwide using our proprietary banana packaging. In addition, during the second quarter Chiquita purchased 486,111 shares of Landec common stock at $7.20 per share for a total of $3.5 million in cash."

Landec Consolidated

"The net loss for the second quarter of fiscal year 2005 was less than the net loss during the same period last year due to several factors. Items decreasing the net loss include: (1) a $671,000 increase in gross profits from Apio's value-added business, (2) a $217,000 increase in gross profits from Apio's export business, (3) a $312,000 decrease in research and development expenses primarily due to lower non-banana related research and development at Apio and a greater emphasis on sales and marketing at Landec Ag and (4) a $172,000 reduction in interest expenses. These decreases in the net loss were partially offset by planned increases in sales and marketing costs for Apio and Landec Ag of $713,000," stated Steele.

"The net loss for the first six months of fiscal year 2005 was less than the net loss during the same period last year due to several factors. Items decreasing the net loss include: (1) a $532,000 increase in gross profits from Apio's value-added business, (2) a $505,000 increase in gross profits from Apio's export business, (3) a $429,000 decrease in research and development expenses primarily due to lower non-banana related research and development at Apio and a greater emphasis on sales and marketing at Landec Ag and (4) a $328,000 reduction in interest expenses. These decreases in the net loss were partially offset by planned increases in sales and marketing costs for Apio and Landec Ag of $1.0 million compared to the same period last year," continued Steele.

Commenting on the financial condition of the Company, Steele said, "During the six months ended November 28, 2004, we maintained our strong balance sheet. The cash decrease of $243,000 during the first six months of fiscal year 2005 to a cash balance of $6.2 million was primarily due to (1) net cash used in operations of $1.6 million, primarily from the purchase of seed corn, (2) the purchase of $2.1 million of property, plant and equipment, and (3) a decrease in net borrowings under the Company's lines of credit of $1.1 million. These decreases in cash were partially offset by the issuance of $1.2 million of long-term debt for the financing of certain processing equipment at Apio to further automate our value-added processing facility and the sale of $4.4 million of common stock, of which $3.5 million was purchased by Chiquita and the remainder purchased through the exercise of stock options. As of November 28, 2004, we had availability under our lines of credit of $13.3 million up from $10.3 million at the end of the prior quarter."

"As a reminder about the seasonal nature of our business, seasonality is inherent in our two core businesses -- Apio and Landec Ag. Apio is subject to produce sourcing issues during the winter months, and Landec Ag recognizes nearly all of its revenues and profits during our third and fourth fiscal quarters while realizing essentially no revenues during our first and second fiscal quarters," commented Steele.

"Landec's proprietary temperature-activated Intelimer polymers are patent protected and are changing the economics and the quality of the food and seed products we have targeted. In addition, our technology is opening up new solutions in the medical, consumer and industrial markets. We have numerous technology-driven applications in our pipeline and look forward to developing several new products with partners during the upcoming year," concluded Steele.

Operating Highlights and Outlook

Apio's Intelimer Based Packaging Products Business Continues to Grow

During the past twelve months, Apio introduced twelve new value-added produce product offerings. Apio currently sells over 120 value-added products to retail, club store and food service customers. In addition, Apio has expanded its retail and club store presence to over 11,200 stores, up from 10,300 in the prior fiscal year.

Landec's Intelimer-based food packaging regulates the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide within a package to maintain the optimum atmosphere for the particular vegetable(s) in order to extend the shelf life of the produce. The success of Landec's Intelimer-based food packaging technology allows the Company to convert not only fresh-cut produce but also whole produce into value-added products that bring real differentiation to retailers and to growers.

During the first six months of fiscal year 2005, Apio continued to grow its value-added business. Sales from the two fastest-growing product lines, which consist of vegetable trays and 12-ounce retail packages, collectively grew over 59% compared to the same period of the prior year. The Company expects to continue to grow its market share in its value-added product lines during the remainder of fiscal year 2005.

Landec Ag's Intellicoat Seed Coating Product Sales Grew this Past Year

Landec Ag, the Company's Intellicoat seed coating subsidiary, commercially launched its Early Plant corn during 2003. Early Plant hybrid corn joined the existing line-up of Landec Ag commercial products which include Pollinator Plus(R) coatings for inbred corn seed, Relay(TM) Cropping System of wheat and Intellicoat coated soybean, Fielder's Choice Direct hybrid corn and the Harvestar(R) product line, which offers high performance alfalfa and nutrient enhanced hybrid corn seed.

Early Plant corn is designed to allow corn farmers to safely and reliably plant hybrid corn three to four weeks earlier than normal, by using Landec Ag's proprietary Intellicoat coating which prevents germination until the soil reaches the optimal soil germination temperature. Otherwise, planting earlier in cold, wet soil could cause poor or no germination to occur. Allowing the farmer to have a wider planting window lowers costs, reduces risks associated with late planting and potentially increases yields across the entire farming operation. The program for Early Plant corn increased 40% this past spring to over 56,000 acres from 40,000 acres in the spring of 2003 and over four-fold from 13,000 acres in the spring of 2002.

For Early Plant corn planted in 2003, the Intellicoat coated seeds showed better, more uniform emergence and higher stand counts for improved yield potential when compared to uncoated corn seeds. Beginning in 2003, Landec Ag sold its Intellicoat Early Plant corn seed coating technology through its own Fielder's Choice Direct brand of hybrid seed corn and through the hybrid corn seed brands of three regional seed companies. Testimonials from farmers for their 2003 crop indicated that Early Plant corn delivered yields equal to or more than corn planted at normal planting times and avoided losses associated with late planting of corn.

For Early Plant corn planted in 2004, Landec Ag reported that its Intellicoat Early Plant coated corn technology performed consistently across all geographies, with farmers reporting good, uniform stands and significant yield benefits from avoiding late planting. In some cases, yields were higher than late-planted corn by as much as 40 bushels per acre, plus there were cost savings from lower drying costs due to harvesting corn with lower moisture content than associated with late-planted corn. In addition, by planting corn earlier than normal, farmers gain a wider planting window which accrues benefits across their entire farming operation by spreading out their workload.

In 2004, Landec Ag sold its Intellicoat Early Plant coated corn seed through its own Fielder's Choice Direct sales organization and through six regional seed companies, up from three companies in the prior year. Currently, in addition to Fielder's Choice Direct, Early Plant corn is marketed through ten seed partners.

Landec Ag's first Intellicoat commercial product is called Pollinator Plus. Pollinator Plus seed coatings are applied to inbred seed corn to delay seed germination and extend the pollination window thus reducing risks and increasing yields for seed companies in the production of hybrid seed corn. Pollinator Plus, which targets the production of hybrid seed corn representing approximately 650,000 acres in ten states, is being used by over 35 major seed companies and was planted on nearly 74,000 acres in 2004 compared to 66,000 acres in 2003. In addition, during 2003 Landec Ag entered into a non-exclusive joint licensing agreement with Incotec International BV, a recognized world leader in seed coating enhancement technologies, which is making Pollinator Plus coatings available to the European Union market. After two years of testing, Incotec is expected to have their first commercial sales in 2005.

Landec Ag, headquartered in Monticello, Indiana, combines its proprietary Intellicoat seed coating technology products with its unique electronic, direct marketing and consultative selling approach -- eDC(R), through its branded seed company, Fielder's Choice Direct. Fielder's Choice Direct has developed a sophisticated telephonic and electronic call center which provides its sales force with in-depth information about the customer's farming trends and requirements, while also helping the farmer to better evaluate seed choices in order to match appropriate offerings with the farmer's specific requirements. The success of Fielder's Choice comes, in part, from its expertise in selling directly to the farmer, bypassing the traditional and costly farmer-dealer system. We believe that this direct channel of distribution provides up to a 35% cost advantage compared to the farmer-dealer system.

Landec's Intelimer Supply and Licensing Business Continues to Expand

Landec began shipping Intelimer polymers to L'Oreal of Paris in November 2003 for use in cosmetic and personal care products. L'Oreal has now commercialized initial products in Asia, Europe and the United States using Landec's Intelimer polymer additives. The Company is working with L'Oreal and other companies to expand the use of Intelimer polymers in other cosmetic and personal care products. In addition, we have developmental efforts underway relating to new applications of our Intelimer materials outside of the food and agricultural markets.

Landec Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and sells temperature-activated and other specialty polymer products for a variety of food, agricultural and licensed partner applications. The Company's temperature-activated polymer products are based on its proprietary Intelimer polymers which differ from other polymers in that they can be customized to abruptly change their physical characteristics when heated or cooled through a pre-set temperature switch.

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