FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2000

JOHN B. SANFILIPPO ANNOUNCES IMPROVED OPERATING RESULTS
FOR FY 2000 THIRD QUARTER, FIRST NINE MONTHS

Enhanced Margins Generate Profits

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., April 26, 2000-John B. Sanfilippo & Son (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced improved operating results for its fiscal 2000 third quarter and nine months ended March 23, 2000. The company reported profits for both periods as costs to manufacture products declined, expanding the gross margins. Also, increased net sales for the first nine months contributed to improved gross margins.

For the third quarter, net income was $111,000, or 1 cent per share (basic and diluted), versus a net loss of $(845,000), or (9) cents per share (basic and diluted), for the fiscal 1999 third quarter. The improved earnings were achieved despite a 10.4 percent decline in net sales to $51.8 million from $57.8 million for the prior fiscal year's third quarter. The net sales decline was attributed to strong fiscal 2000 second-quarter sales that had not moved through the distribution channels and the late Easter holiday that will push Easter sales into the fiscal 2000 fourth quarter.

However, the 2000 period's gross profit was higher on a dollar basis as the gross profit margin improved to 19.6 percent of net sales from 16.1 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 1999. Lower product costs combined with manufacturing cost controls to contribute to this improved performance. Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of net sales were 15.6 percent for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 and 14.4 percent for the comparable quarter in fiscal 1999. The increase as a percent of net sales was mainly attributed to the lower net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2000.

Income from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 was 4.0 percent of net sales compared with 1.7 percent of net sales in the prior year. Interest expense decreased to $2.0 million compared with $2.4 million in the fiscal 1999 third quarter.

Fiscal 2000 nine-month net income increased fourfold to $5.3 million, or 58 cents per share, from $1.3 million, or 15 cents per share, for the prior year's period. Year-to-date, net sales for fiscal 2000 increased 4.2 percent to $255.3 million from $244.9 million for the comparable fiscal 1999 period. The fiscal 2000 year-to-date gross margin was 18.1 percent versus 15.9 percent for the same period in fiscal 1999. Selling and administrative expenses were 12.6 percent of nine-month net sales for fiscal 2000 and 12.2 percent of nine-month net sales in the prior year. The fiscal 2000 year-to-date income from operations was 5.5 percent of net sales versus 3.7 percent of net sales for the previous fiscal year. Nine-month fiscal 2000 interest expense decreased to $5.7 million from $7.0 million in the preceding fiscal year.

"We are very pleased with the positive third quarter earnings per share swing of 10 cents," stated Jasper B. Sanfilippo, chairman and chief executive officer. "This operating performance represents a continuation of the efforts of senior management throughout the fiscal year to deliver profitability. I am very positive about our prospects for the last quarter of fiscal 2000. The fiscal 2000 results should give us a solid base for future growth and profitability."

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. is a processor, packager, marketer and distributor of shelled, in-shell nuts and sesame sticks that are sold under a variety of private labels and under the company's Evon's^®, Fisher^®, Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM, Sunshine Country^®, Flavor Tree^® and Texas Pride^TM brand names. The company also markets and distributes a diverse product line of other food and snack items.

The statement of Jasper B. Sanfilippo in this release is forward looking. This forward looking statement is based on the company's current expectations and involves risks and uncertainties. Consequently, the company's actual results could differ materially. Among the factors that could cause results to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) sales activity for the company's products; (ii) changes in the availability and costs of raw materials for the production of the company's products; (iii) fluctuations in the value of the company's inventories of pecans, walnuts or other nuts due to fluctuations in the market prices of these nuts; (iv) the company's ability to lessen the negative impact of competitive pressures by reducing its selling prices and increasing sales volume while at the same time maintaining profit margins by reducing costs; and (v) the time and occurrence (or non-occurrence) of other transactions and events which may be subject to circumstances beyond the company's control.

For further information on John B. Sanfilippo free of charge via fax,
simply dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter "JBSS."
Or visit the company's website at www.fishernuts.com