Exhibit 99.5
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Joseph Tesoriero
Phone: 818-879-6900
Contact: Beth Potillo
Phone: 818-879-6733
DOLE FOOD COMPANY, INC. ANNOUNCES
COMMENCEMENT OF PRIVATE $325 MILLION DEBT OFFERING
WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIFORNIA,
August 14, 2009 — Dole Food Company, Inc. (
“Dole”) announced today
that it intends to commence a private offering to eligible purchasers, subject to market and other
conditions, of $325 million principal amount of Senior Secured Notes due 2016 (the
“Notes”). Dole
intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to redeem 7.25% Senior Notes due
June 15, 2010,
at par.
The Notes to be offered by Dole will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the
“Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or
an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws. This
press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to buy such Notes and is issued pursuant to Rule 135c under the Securities Act.
This release contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Forward looking
statements, which are based on management’s current expectations, are generally identifiable by the
use of terms such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “anticipates” and similar
expressions. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those expressed or implied herein include weather-related phenomena; market
responses to industry volume pressures; product and raw materials supplies and pricing; energy
supply and pricing; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; economic crises; security
risks in developing countries; international conflict; and quotas, tariffs and other governmental
actions. Further information on the factors that could affect Dole’s financial results is included
in its SEC filings.
Food Company, Inc.