FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 1999

JOHN B. SANFILIPPO REPORTS 2ND-QUARTER RESULTS

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill., April 28, 1999-John B. Sanfilippo & Son (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced operating results for the fiscal 1999 third quarter and nine months ended March 25, 1999. The fiscal 1999 third quarter was a net loss of $0.8 million, or nine cents per share, compared with the fiscal 1998 third-quarter net loss of $0.1 million, or one cent per share. Factors contributing to the net loss were reduced margins and increased trade allowances. Net income for the first nine months of fiscal 1999 was $1.3 million, or 15 cents per share, versus $4.6 million, or 51 cents per basic share, for the comparable fiscal 1998 period.

Net sales for the fiscal 1999 third quarter were $57.8 million compared with $58.1 million for the fiscal 1998 third quarter. The gross margin for the fiscal 1999 third quarter was 16.1 percent of net sales compared with 18.7 percent of net sales for the fiscal 1998 third quarter. Factors impacting the gross margin decline were the customer mix and increased trade allowances. Selling and administrative expenses were 14.4 percent of net sales for the fiscal 1999 third quarter compared with 15.0 percent for the comparable period in the prior year. Income from operations was $1.0 million in the fiscal 1999 third quarter versus $2.2 million in the fiscal 1998 third quarter.

Fiscal 1999 nine-month net sales were $244.9 million compared with $248.1 million for the fiscal 1998 period. The fiscal 1999 year-to-date gross margin was 15.9 percent of net sales versus 17.8 percent for the similar period in the prior year. Selling and administrative expenses were 12.2 percent of nine-month net sales for fiscal 1999 and 12.3 percent of net sales for the same period in fiscal 1998. The fiscal 1999 year-to-date income from operations was $9.0 million and fiscal 1998 year-to-date income from operations was $13.7 million.

The company integrated its subsidiary, Sunshine Nut Company, Inc., into the corporate computer system at the beginning of the fiscal 1999 fourth quarter. It is believed that the utilization of common systems will improve efficiency and effectiveness throughout the company as a whole. In conjunction with the migration to a common database, certain administrative functions were transferred to corporate offices. These actions resulted in a reduction of staff that should reduce costs and favorably impact future years' profitability. It is anticipated that any expenses associated with this transfer will not be significant.

"It is never pleasant to reduce staff," stated Jasper B. Sanfilippo, chairman and chief executive officer. "However, with the current operating results and the competitive environment in which the company operates, we felt it was in the best interest of our stockholders and our employees to eliminate redundant costs and positions. This represents a giant step to position the company for the future. We do not intend to make additional staff reductions in the forseeable future. However, we do intend to scrutinize all costs involved with our operations."

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.

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