Tree of Life and Webeco Foods announce their new partnership to distribute seven prominent Hispanic dairy, cheese and specialty foods brands throughout the United States.

The brands -- Lugareno, La Antioquena, Colanta, El Holandes, Dutch Morning, Cervantes and Gayo Azul -- have enjoyed prominent placement and customer loyalty for years in the South Florida market. Now, Tree of Life and Webeco's partnership will provide shoppers across the country a delicious array of fine Hispanic cheeses and other Hispanic grocery items.

"These authentic Hispanic dairy and specialty brands truly give Tree of Life a credible Hispanic dairy program," said Tree of Life's senior category manager Maria Reyes. "This offers our customers the variety and selection needed to be successful in such a critical segment of the category."

Luis Teijeiro, president of Webeco Foods, said the company chose Tree of Life as its distributor based on many factors. "Level of service was first and foremost," Teijeiro said. "Their delivery frequency and scope of distribution were also very important. They extend distribution into areas we couldn't service. They can maintain product on the shelves better than we can, based on their more frequent deliveries to each store. We expect to sell more in the current stores where we have distribution, and we expect to expand our distribution based on the geographic reach of Tree of Life."

Lugareno, maker of traditional dry-cured Spanish sausages, says it's thrilled to be part of this new multistore distribution deal. "Our partnership could not have come at a better time -- it's perfect," said Lugareno's president, Caroline LaBauve. "The opportunity to cross over to mainstream America is here now, while the strong Hispanic market continues to drive multi-billion dollar sales in the ethnic food sector."

In addition to the Webeco brands, another new Tree of Life partner, El Campasino, makes Cremas, a product with the delectable flavor combination of sour cream and cream cheese. Available in Hondurena (parmesan-gorgonzola), Salvadorena (parmesan-romano), Mexicana (creamy light taste) and Nicaraguense (gouda-edam) flavors, these delicious premium cremas are packaged in innovative easy-to-use pouches that facilitate freshness and portioning at a squeeze.

Webeco, an importer and distributor of fine cheeses and specialty foods from throughout Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Rim for more than 40 years, services many leading retailers, foodservice distributors and gourmet food distributors throughout the United States and Latin America, including daily service to over 200 leading retail food accounts in South Florida.

Tree of Life is a leading marketer and distributor of natural, organic, gourmet, specialty and multicultural food products to supermarket chains, independent grocers, natural/health food stores, and specialty/ethnic stores throughout the United States and Canada.

Tree of Life's network of sales associates, vendors and retailers is supplied through distribution centers across the United States and Canada. Tree of Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal Wessanen in The Netherlands. For more information about Tree of Life, visit their Web site at www.treeoflife.com.