Sep 29, 2004 11:45 AM, from staff and wire reports

City of Industry CA-based Santee Dairies Inc has announced that as of Sept 26, 2004, it is operating as Heartland Farms. A wholly owned subsidiary of Stater Bros Holdings Inc, the company is one of the largest milk, juice, and tea processing plants in the western United States. It holds the manufacturing license for such brands as Knudsen milk, Foremost milk, Sunkist refrigerated juices, and Arnold Palmer TEE.

Paul Bikowitz, president and chief operating officer of the newly named firm, said, “The name Heartland Farms better describes the marketing focus of the company as we prepare for our future. The company will continue to explore new opportunities, both within the fluid milk category, as well as the entire refrigerated beverage arena.”