FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 1998

JOHN B. SANFILIPPO EXPECTS TO REPORT LOWER NET INCOME FOR FOURTH QUARTER; FISCAL 1998 STILL PROFITABLE

Sales and Marketing Departments Restructured;
"Positive Acceptance" for New Fisher Product

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill, June 9, 1998-- John B. Sanfilippo & Son (Nasdaq: JBSS) today announced that based on current sales activity, it expects fiscal fourth-quarter 1998 earnings to be in the range of breakeven to a net profit of $0.05 per share. For the comparable period in fiscal 1997, net income was $643,000, or $0.07 per share. Fiscal 1998 will remain profitable; through the first nine months, the company reported net income of $4.6 million, or $0.50 per share on a diluted basis and $0.51 basic per share. The company posted a loss of $0.06 per share for fiscal 1997.

The expectations for the fourth quarter result from soft sales and order backlog across all channels of distribution, coupled with increased carrying costs due to higher inventory levels. Final audited operating results for fiscal 1998 will be announced August 26, 1998, as originally scheduled.

Consumer Sales and Marketing Departments Restructured
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. also announced that it has restructured its consumer sales and marketing departments under the direction of Jeffrey Sanfilippo, Vice President Sales and Marketing. Sanfilippo joined the company in 1991 and previously was in charge of its West Coast and direct-store delivery consumer operations. The company's two offices will be combined and based in Elk Grove Village, Ill. headquarters.

"We believe this restructuring will enhance our consumer focus and help grow the business," stated Jasper B. Sanfilippo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We will continue to investigate all avenues for cost savings."

New Fisher Product Shipped
In May 1998, John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc. introduced the Fisher Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM. The bowl is ready to serve, reclosable and microwaveable. Proprietary technology provides the Snack 'N Serve Nut Bowl^TM with improved shelf life versus current can items, and the clear top allows the product to be visible to the consumer. The initial items consist of Jumbo Cashews, Deluxe Mixed Nuts, Party Peanuts, California Style Trail Mix, Bayou Blend and Fiesta Mix.

"We've begun to ship our new Fisher product, and I am pleased to report that we have been receiving positive acceptance from the grocery trade," Sanfilippo said.

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.

Statements in this press release regarding the company's earnings expectations for the fourth quarter of 1998 and related matters, including the company's expected earnings results for the fourth quarter of 1998, are forward looking and are identified by the use of the following forward-looking words and phrases: "expected," "expects," "is designed to" and "aid in growing." These forward-looking statements are based on the company's current expectations. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the company's actual results could differ materially. Among these factors that could cause results to differ materially from current expectations are: (i) sales activity for the company's products for the remainder of the fourth quarter of 1998; (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; and (iv) 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."