TORRANCE, Calif., May 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Farmer Bros. Co. (NASDAQ: FARM), a manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor of distinctive and great-tasting coffees, teas and culinary products, is set to build excitement by adding a full line of mouthwatering flavors to its iced tea portfolio. Farmer Brothers' new line of iced teas — Sweetened, Citrus Green, Sweet Jamaican Tropical, Georgia Peach and Catalina Lemonade — was developed to meet consumer demand just in time for the prime spring and summer season. All Farmer Brothers Iced Teas are hand selected by independent tea specialists to strive toward providing the highest quality and best flavor in each and every glass.

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"Iced tea has always been an American favorite and is one of the fastest-growing beverages of choice today," said Mike Keown, president and chief executive officer of Farmer Brothers. "As demand continues to grow in the foodservice industry, we couldn't be more excited with the development of our new premium and select teas to meet the changing needs of operators and consumers."

Farmer Brothers' new line of teas addresses key industry trends and consumer demands. Sweet tea is leading the way in growth and attracting younger consumers¹. In fact, in 2012, the iced tea category grew faster than soft drinks². Moreover, eight out of 10 consumers surveyed considered the new Farmer Brothers Iced Tea packaging appealing³. These new flavors, in addition to Farmer Brothers' already exceptional classic American teas, should help operators capture incremental profits and offer the menu variety consumers crave.

"Our direct store delivery and national chain account sales teams are excited to introduce our customers to these unique flavors," said Tass Rupp, Farmer Brothers tea and spice category manager. "Our tea program, which includes product, equipment and promotions, will help operators take advantage of the high-growth, high-margin iced tea category."

In addition to the new flavors, Farmer Brothers' existing portfolio of tried and true iced teas includes a variety of black teas, flavored teas, sweet teas and decaffeinated teas. There is a full line of products to choose from to meet iced tea beverage demands and sales opportunities.

About Farmer Bros. Co.

Farmer Bros. Co., or "Farmer Brothers," is a leading national roaster, manufacturer, wholesaler and distributor of high-quality branded and private label coffees, teas, spices and culinary products to foodservice, convenience stores and grocery retailers. The company operates one of the country's largest, most complete direct-store-delivery (DSD) distribution networks to national, regional and local accounts, with more than 115 branches throughout the contiguous United States ensuring on-time delivery of premium-quality product, equipment care, personal service and shared expertise.

Since 1912, Farmer Brothers has consistently demonstrated strong leadership, expertise and innovation in the industry, and the company has executives appointed in key positions within industry organizations including World Coffee Research, the Pacific Coast Coffee Association, the Coffee Quality Institute, the Alliance for Coffee Excellence, the Roasters Guild, the International Women's Coffee Alliance and the presidency of the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA).

In addition to operating three roasting facilities (including one of the first in the Northwest to achieve LEED^® Silver Certification), branches in every major American market, and six major distribution centers, Farmer Brothers was among the first coffee roasters in the nation to receive SCAA-certification of a state-of-the-art coffee lab and operates Public Domain^®, a nationally recognized specialty coffeehouse in Portland, Ore. Farmer Brothers is also committed to social, environmental, and economic sustainability.

Headquartered in Torrance, Calif., Farmer Brothers generated net sales of approximately $500 million in fiscal 2012 and has nearly 1,800 employees nationwide. The company's primary brands include Farmer Brothers^®, Artisan Collection by Farmer Brothers™, Superior^®, Metropolitan™, Cain's^® and McGarvey^®. For more information, please visit www.FarmerBros.com.

Forward-looking Statements

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements." When used in this press release, the words "will," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" and "believes," and similar expressions and statements that are made in the future tense or refer to future events or developments, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

¹ 2013 Datassentials Coffee & Tea Tracker
² 2012 NPD Crest  
³ 2013 Farmer Brothers Consumer Packaging Survey

SOURCE Farmer Bros. Co.