Apr 30, 2004 12:33 PM, from staff and wire reports

Dole Food Co Inc, producer and marketer of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and fresh-cut flowers, has entered into an agreement to acquire all of the capital stock of the parent of J R Wood Inc. Wood produces and markets branded and non-branded frozen fruit products.

David H Murdock, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Dole Food, said, “This is a natural extension of Dole’s existing fruit and vegetable strategy and offers an opportunity to extend the Dole brand into the frozen fruit section of the produce industry.”

The transaction is expected to close in second-quarter 2004, subject to antitrust clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.