<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-15-281063.txt : 20150806
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-15-281063.hdr.sgml : 20150806
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20150806161606
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-15-281063
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20150801
ITEM INFORMATION:		Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20150806
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20150806

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTRAL GARDEN & PET CO
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000887733
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-MISCELLANEOUS NONDURABLE GOODS [5190]
		IRS NUMBER:				680275553
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0929

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-33268
		FILM NUMBER:		151033329

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			WALNUT CREEK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94597
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9259484000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1340 TREAT BOULEVARD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 600
		CITY:			WALNUT CREEK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94597

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CENTRAL GARDEN & PET COMPANY
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19941019
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d75069d8k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 8-K
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<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FORM 8-K
</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Pursuant
To Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d) </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August&nbsp;1, 2015 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:24pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Delaware</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>001-33268</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>68-0275553</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(State or other jurisdiction</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>of incorporation)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Commission</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>File Number)</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(IRS Employer</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Identification No.)</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>1340 Treat Boulevard, Suite 600, Walnut Creek, California</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>94597</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:8pt">
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Address of principal executive offices)</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>(Zip Code)</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code (925) 948-4000 </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Former name or former address if changed since last report) </B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center> <P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below): </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<TABLE STYLE="BORDER-COLLAPSE:COLLAPSE; font-family:Times New Roman; font-size:10pt" BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%">
<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;5.02</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. </B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On August&nbsp;1, 2015, Lori Varlas, the Chief Financial Officer of Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company (the &#147;<B>Company</B>&#148;), announced her
intention to resign effective as of September&nbsp;2, 2015. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">On August&nbsp;2, 2015, the Company&#146;s Board of Directors appointed David Chichester as
the acting Chief Financial Officer effective upon the resignation of Ms.&nbsp;Varlas until a permanent successor is appointed. Mr.&nbsp;Chichester, age 69, has been a member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee of the Company since 2002. He
has been a Partner of Tatum, a Randstad company, a financial and technology leadership services firm, since 2004. Mr.&nbsp;Chichester served as Senior Vice President Finance Starbucks Corporation from 2001 to 2003 and, in Tokyo, as Chief Financial
Officer Starbucks Coffee Japan, Ltd. from 2003 to 2004. Mr.&nbsp;Chichester served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Red Roof Inns, Inc. from 1996 to 1999. Prior to these positions, he held senior management positions in
finance at Integrated Health Services, Inc., Marriott Corporation and General Electric Credit Corporation, and served as an investment banker at Warburg Paribas Becker Incorporated and in several roles at The First National Bank of Chicago. He has
also served on the boards of other public and private companies, including Pets.com and Red Roof Inns, Inc. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with Mr.&nbsp;Chichester&#146;s
appointment as acting Chief Financial Officer, the Board of Directors appointed Thomas Colligan to replace Mr.&nbsp;Chichester as a member of the Audit Committee effective immediately and designated Mr.&nbsp;Colligan as the Company&#146;s audit
committee financial expert. Mr.&nbsp;Colligan joined the Company&#146;s Board of Directors in February 2015 and previously served in executive roles for 37 years at PriceWaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), including as the firm&#146;s Vice Chairman from
2001 to 2004. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In connection with Ms.&nbsp;Varlas resignation, the Board of Directors also appointed Howard Machek as the Company&#146;s Chief Accounting
Officer effective upon the resignation of Ms.&nbsp;Varlas. Mr.&nbsp;Machek, age 52, has been the Company&#146;s Corporate Controller since 2001. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="10%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.</B></TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits. </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" NOWRAP>Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Press Release Announcing Resignation of Chief Financial Officer and Appointment of Acting CFO.</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SIGNATURES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">CENTRAL GARDEN &amp; PET COMPANY</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="font-size:1pt">
<TD HEIGHT="16"></TD>
<TD HEIGHT="16" COLSPAN="2"></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ John R. Ranelli</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">John R. Ranelli</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE></DIV> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dated: August&nbsp;6, 2015 </P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="right"><B>Exhibit 99.1 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE </U></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Central
Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Announces Resignation of Chief Financial Officer and Appointment of Acting CFO </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>WALNUT CREEK, CALIFORNIA, August&nbsp;4, 2015
&#151; </B>Central Garden and Pet Company (NASDAQ: CENT) (NASDAQ: CENTA), a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn and garden and pet supplies markets, today announced the resignation of Lori Varlas, Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Ms.&nbsp;Varlas is leaving the Company effective September&nbsp;2, 2015 and has accepted a senior level position at another company. She will be staying through the month of August to ensure a smooth
transition and subsequently, will provide services under her post-employment agreement.<B> </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The Board of Directors has named David N. Chichester as
Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr.&nbsp;Chichester has served for 13 years on Central&#146;s Board as Audit Committee Financial Expert. Mr.&nbsp;Chichester has an extensive background in corporate finance having served as CFO or held senior finance
positions of several companies including Starbucks and Marriott Corporation. He brings significant financial management, accounting, disclosure, and risk assessment experience to the Acting CFO role. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire company, I want to thank Lori for her invaluable contributions,&#148; said John Ranelli,
President&nbsp;&amp; CEO of Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet. &#147;Lori leaves us as a stronger Company. She has assembled an experienced and talented financial team that will help us ensure a seamless transition until we name a permanent successor. I
wish her continued success in her future endeavors.&#148; Ranelli added, &#147;I look forward to working with David in his new role as we continue to execute on our growth strategy&#148; </P>

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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">About Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn&nbsp;&amp; garden and pet supplies
markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn&nbsp;&amp; Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON&reg;, SMART SEED&reg; and THE
REBELS&reg;; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON&reg;; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO&reg;, SEVIN&reg;, IRONITE&reg; and OVER-N-OUT&reg;; and decorative outdoor patio products under the PENNINGTON&reg; brand. We also provide a host
of other regional and application-specific garden brands and supplies. Participating categories in Pet include: Animal health and the brands ADAMS&#153; and ZODIAC&reg;; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC&reg;, AQUEON&reg; and ZILLA&reg;;
bird&nbsp;&amp; small animal and the brands KAYTEE&reg;, SUPER PET&reg; and CRITTER TRAIL&reg;; dog&nbsp;&amp; cat and the brands TFH&#153;, NYLABONE&reg;, FOUR PAWS&reg;, PINNACLE&reg; and AVODERM&reg;; and equine and the brands FARNAM&reg;,
BRONCO&reg; and SUPER MASK&reg;. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 3,300 employees, primarily in North
America. For additional information on Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company, including access to the Company&#146;s SEC filings, please visit the Company&#146;s website at www.central.com. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&#147;Safe Harbor&#148; Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: The statements contained in this release which are not
historical facts, including earnings guidance for the fourth quarter and fiscal 2015 and expectations for future favorable results are forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those set forth in or implied by forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon the Company&#146;s current expectations and various assumptions. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this release including, but not limited to, the following factors: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">seasonality and fluctuations in the Company&#146;s operating results and cash flow; </TD></TR></TABLE>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">2 </P>


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<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left">&#149;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">fluctuations in market prices for seeds and grains and other raw materials and the Company&#146;s ability to pass through cost increases in a timely manner; </TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">adverse weather conditions; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">dependence on a small number of customers for a significant portion of our business; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">uncertainty about new product innovations and marketing programs; </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">dependence on management and the ability to execute on our succession plan; and </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">competition in our industries </TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">These risks and others are described in the Company&#146;s Securities and
Exchange Commission filings. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Contact: Steve Zenker </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">VP of Investor Relations&nbsp;&amp;
Communications </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Central Garden&nbsp;&amp; Pet Company </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">925.948.3657 </P>
 <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">3 </P>

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