SK Foods today announced the appointment of processing and canning industry executive Rich Freitas as the company's general manager at its Williams, Calif., processing facility, SK Foods - Colusa Canning.

Mr. Freitas brings 25 years of experience in California's canning and processing industry to this rapidly expanding facility in the Sacramento Valley. His background includes significant financial and technical skills along with plant management experience.

"We are pleased to have Rich join SK Foods and contribute to our effort as a leading supplier of tomato products," said Steve King, vice president of operations for SK Foods. Mr. King continued: "He is a proven leader with experience in all aspects of tomato processing including canning, bulk paste, bulk aseptic diced and formulated products. He was instrumental in helping SK Foods - Colusa Canning design and install five processing lines earlier this year."

Mr. Freitas is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Food Science and Technology. Most recently he was associated with Small Planet Foods, a division of General Mills and a premier organic tomato processor and retailer based in Washington.

About SK Foods - Colusa Canning

SK Foods is a California-based processor of tomato products for remanufacturers and foodservice marketers. With locations in northern and central California, the company's capabilities include packaging ready-to-use tomatoes in cans and glass, to industrial tomato ingredients packed in drums and bins.

SK Foods acquired Colusa County Canning in 2003. The company also owns Cedenco Foods Ltd. of New Zealand, that processes and distributes tomato products and other food ingredients to customers throughout the world.

For more information about SK Foods and SK Foods - Colusa Canning and Cedenco Foods, view the company websites at www.skfoods.com and www.colusacanning.com.