COMPANY CONTACT:

Gary P. Jensen Executive Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer 847.593.2300 x144

First Quarter Fiscal 2001 EPS Doubles to $0.14 from $0.07 in the Prior Year

Elk Grove Village, IL, October 25, 2000 -- John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2001, ended September 28, 2000. Net income was approximately $1.3 million or 14 cents per share (basic and diluted) versus net income of approximately $.6 million or 7 cents a share (basic and diluted) for the first quarter of fiscal 2000.

Net sales increased to approximately $87.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2001 from net sales of approximately $79.5 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2000. The major drivers of increased net sales were the Consumer and Industrial distribution channels. Gross profit margins improved to 16.5 percent of net sales from 15.8 percent of net sales in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

As a percent of net sales, selling and administrative expenses were 11.9 percent of net sales for the fiscal 2001 first quarter versus 12.3 percent of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2000. Increased employee benefit costs contributed to the dollar change in administrative expense on a year to year comparison. Operating income was 4.6 percent of net sales versus 3.5 percent of net sales for the first quarter of the previous fiscal year. Interest expense was approximately $2.1 million compared to approximately $1.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2000. Higher interest rates accounted for the increase in interest expense.

"Without a doubt, fiscal 2001 started out on a positive note ," stated Jasper B. Sanfilippo, chairman and chief executive officer. "It is our intent to drive shareholder value through continued improved performance."

John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. is a processor, packager, marketer and distributor of shelled and 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^™, Sunshine Country^®, Flavor Tree^® and Texas Pride^™ 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 timing and occurrence (or nonoccurrence) 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

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