IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Lisa Kovitz
Edelman
+1-212-704-4546
lisa.kovitz@edelman.com

Frank Cozzarelli
Edelman
+1-212-704-4558
frank.cozzarelli@edelman.com

Barilla Introduces "The Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook
And Calls On Pasta Lovers Everywhere to Help Fight Hunger

Celebrities and Star Chefs Team Up with Barilla to Raise Money
for America's Second Harvest

Bannockburn, IL, February 1, 2007 - Barilla, the world's number one pasta maker, in partnership with ten Hollywood celebrities and renowned chefs Mario Batali and Giada De Laurentiis, are introducing a new, free cookbook that shares favorite celebrity pasta dishes to benefit America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, the nation's largest hunger-relief organization. 

From February 1-28, 2007, "The Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook" will be available online at no charge at www.CelebrityPastaLovers.com. For every person who downloads the cookbook, Barilla will donate $1 to America's Second Harvest, up to $100,000.

"Pasta is a favorite food among Americans, and celebrities are no exception," said Giada De Laurentiis, best-selling cookbook author and host of Everyday Italian and Behind the Bash on The Food Network. "Italian food represents a celebration of life, family, friends and tradition - aspects that are prominent themes in Barilla's new Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook."

Ten notable celebrities from film, television and fashion shared their favorite pasta dishes for the cookbook, which served as the inspiration for the cookbook's delicious new recipes created by guest editors Mario Batali and Giada De Laurentiis - two of the country's most celebrated Italian chefs. Contributing celebrities include Kristin Davis, Harrison Ford, Pierce Brosnan, Melinda Clarke, Faith Ford, Sela Ward, Tyson Beckford, Ashley Judd, Tony Danza, and Anabella Sciorra. Mario Batali and Giada De Laurentiis share their favorite recipes as well. A $90,000 donation was made by Barilla in the celebrities' names for participation in the project.

"I was delighted when Barilla invited me to be part of the Celebrity Pasta Cookbook project," said actress Kristin Davis, of HBO's Sex & the City. "Pasta has always been one of my favorite foods, so to have the chance to share one of my favorite dishes for such a good cause was something I couldn't pass up."

All recipes are accompanied by personal stories and anecdotes from the celebrities, along with pasta preparation tips from Barilla, Batali, and De Laurentiis. Some of the mouthwatering recipes include Pumpkin Sage Butter Tortellini, inspired by Ashley Judd; Vengetable Orzo Primavera, inspired by Pierce Brosnan; Linguine with Eggplant and Sun-Dried Tomatoes, inspired by Sela Ward; and Spaghetti with Spicy Tomato Sauce, inspired by Harrison Ford.

"Today in America more than 38 million people - 14 million of whom are children - have limited access to food due to financial difficulties according to America's Second Harvest," said Kirk Trofholz, President of Barilla America. "Barilla is pleased to step up its involvement and support of America's Second Harvest  with the Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook, which blends our passion for pasta and authentic Italian cuisine with a highly worthwhile cause that will help put food on the table for people in need."

Barilla has been a supporter of America's Second Harvest since 1997, through the donation of their products. Over the past nine years, since Barilla entered the U.S. market, they have donated over 5 million pounds of pasta to America's Second Harvest for distribution among more than 200 member food banks serving all 50 states, the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico.

"Hunger relief in America is a challenge that requires constant attention and support, and who better to help address the issue than food producers and chefs?" said Mario Batali, a long-time supporter of America's Second Harvest and the Food Bank For New York City. "Barilla's Celebrity Pasta Lovers' Cookbook is a simple way to raise awareness and involve the public in supporting a very effective national cause that will help provide food assistance for people who need it while also providing delicious Italian recipes that everyone can enjoy."

"Barilla has donated to America's Second Harvest for many years," said Vicki Escarra, President and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "We are extremely grateful to expand upon our relationship with Barilla with this exciting campaign.  Their donation will help us feed hundreds of thousands of people at risk of hunger."

About Barilla
Since 1877, Barilla has been producing pasta and other grain-based foods for consumers around the world.  The company's basic animating principle has been to make these healthy products affordable to all, no matter where they might be. Barilla has remained true to its entrepreneurial roots over the past four generations, by combining ancient Italian traditions with cutting-edge technological advances.  The result is a globally successful company, built on a foundation of principles that allow for continuous growth to reach ever-expanding goals. The Barilla Group - whose brands include Barilla, Mulino Bianco, Pavesi, Voiello, Wasa, Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico) and Academia Barilla - is the first Italian food group, headed by the Barilla family for over 125 years. The Group has 27  factories (15  in Italy and 12 abroad). It realizes 30% of sales in volume in more than 120 countries.

About America's Second Harvest
America's Second Harvest - The Nation's Food Bank Network, is the largest charitable domestic hunger-relief organization in the country with a Network of more than 200 Member food banks and food-rescue organizations serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  The America's Second Harvest Network secures and distributes more than 2 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually; and supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies operating more than 94,000 programs including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, after-school programs and Kids Cafes. Last year, the America's Second Harvest Network provided food assistance to more than 25 million low-income hungry people in the United States, including 9 million children and nearly 3 million seniors.  For more information, please visit www.secondharvest.org .