Hain Pure Protein Corporation, a joint venture between The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. with a 50.1% controlling interest and Pegasus Capital Advisors, L.P., with a 49.9% minority interest, has announced plans to expand its Plainville, New York facility to meet the growing demand for natural, antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed, kosher poultry products.

The Company expects to furlough approximately 90 employees in the beginning of January while the plant is modified to accommodate the new kosher process. Production on the new kosher line is expected to begin in late February 2009 and as a result of the conversion, it is currently anticipated that the total number of employees will increase. During this time, production of Plainville Farms® turkeys will move to Hain Pure Protein's New Oxford, Pennsylvania facility, which is expected to result in increased cost savings and efficiencies at the facility.

"Plainville Farms continues to be one of the leading suppliers of natural, antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed turkeys in America, and we look forward to adding this production to our New Oxford Foods facility," said David Wiggins, President of Hain Pure Protein and formerly Chief Executive Officer of Empire Kosher Poultry Inc.

"As we said when we purchased Plainville Turkey Farm in August 2007, we were excited to increase our specialty poultry product offerings, and we hoped to be able to expand our operations and product offerings within New York State.

Mr Wiggens added, "We see increasing demand for quality kosher poultry, and in order for Hain Pure Protein to meet this growing demand for natural, antibiotic-free, vegetarian-fed, kosher chicken and turkey products, the plant will be closed for production at the end of December with an expected reopening in approximately eight weeks with the facility adapted for new kosher production. The employees who have made our Plainville turkey operation the success it is today will be welcomed back at the commencement of kosher production."

Hain Pure Protein Corporation was formed in July, 2005 to establish FreeBird Chicken, which specializes in natural, organic and antibiotic-free chickens. In August, 2007 Hain Pure Protein acquired Plainville Turkey Farm, Inc., a leading supplier of natural and antibiotic-free whole turkeys and deli turkey products in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic and in March, 2008, the Company expanded its turkey operations with a facility in New Oxford, Pennsylvania.

The Hain Celestial Group

The Hain Celestial Grou , headquartered in Melville, New York State, is a leading natural and organic food and personal care products company in North America and Europe. Hain Celestial participates in almost all natural food categories with well-known brands that include Celestial Seasonings®, Terra®, Garden of Eatin'®, Health Valley®, WestSoy®, Earth's Best®, Arrowhead Mills®, MaraNatha®, SunSpire®, DeBoles®, Hain Pure Foods®, FreeBird^TM, Plainville Farms®, Hollywood®, Spectrum Naturals®, Spectrum Essentials®, Walnut Acres Organic®, Imagine®, Rice Dream®, Soy Dream®, Rosetto®, Ethnic Gourmet®, Yves Veggie Cuisine®, Granose®, Realeat®, Linda McCartney®, Daily Bread^TM, Lima®, Grains Noirs®, Natumi®, JASON®, Zia® Natural Skincare, Avalon Organics®, Alba Botanica®, Queen Helene®, Tushies® and TenderCare®. Hain Celestial has been providing 'A Healthy Way of Life^TM' since 1993.

For more information on Hain Pure Protein Corp., click here.