Acquires Four Coffee Service Providers in Key Growth Regions

Westwood, MA -- February 27, 2002 - Van Houtte Inc. and Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc., today announced it has acquired four separate coffee operations in the United States under its strategic growth plan. Ag-Horn Coffee and Food Service Company, Filterfresh San Antonio, Alpine Roastery's Office Coffee Service Division-Coffee for a Purpose, and Filterfresh Hudson Valley, will all operate as Filterfresh Coffee Service owned operations.

"This is an exciting time for Filterfresh -- these four acquisitions clearly leverage our position as the dominant office coffee option across the United States," said Roger Cohen, Vice President, Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc. "The basis of our business is to provide our customers with a total office coffee solution, not just equipment, but with a wealth of coffee and beverage options. As we continue to expand in the marketplace by acquiring companies in key regions, re-acquiring franchises and developing new franchises, our total office coffee solution has proven to be an invaluable and cost effective tool for the Filterfresh family of companies and its customers."

Filterfresh Coffee Service Inc. is acquiring two distinct coffee operations in Texas. Ag-Horn Coffee and Food Service Company, based in San Antonio and Austin, TX, is an office coffee supplier with approximately 1,900 customers. Filterfresh San Antonio, also serving the San Antonio and Austin markets, is being acquired from Willi Bachmann, one of the original franchisees. Both companies will be consolidated and will operate as Filterfresh San Antonio and Filterfresh Austin serving the greater San Antonio and Austin markets.

Mark & Paul Millender, sons of the original owner of the Ag-Horn Coffee and Food Service Company, will become the general managers of the newly formed Texas operations in San Antonio and Austin. Mr. Bachmann will remain on board temporarily to assist in the transition.

Coffee for a Purpose, the Denver-based coffee service division of Alpine Roastery has approximately 650 customers. The company brings its reputation as the area's highest-quality roaster to the Filterfresh family of operations. Filterfresh will assume six employees as a result of this acquisition and integrate this company into the Filterfresh Denver corporate operation.

The acquisition of Filterfresh Hudson Valley, which services the New York Metro region, will be consolidated with the Filterfresh Atlantic Jersey corporate operation, with the exception of the Bronx. Bob & Catherine Bross, long-term Filterfresh franchise owners, will continue to operate a piece of their former Filterfresh franchise in the Bronx as the newly formed Filterfresh Bronx County.

"New York, Texas and Denver are all strategic regions for Filterfresh and the four acquisitions as a whole enhance our dominance in the OCS marketplace," said Ron McArthur, Executive Vice-President, Coffee Break Group, Van Houtte, the parent company of Filterfresh. "We are happy to include these companies as integral parts of the national network of Filterfresh operations. This new customer base will now benefit from Filterfresh's wide array of hot beverage products and quality services."

About Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc.
Filterfresh Coffee Service, Inc., based in Westwood, Mass., is a subsidiary of Van Houtte Inc. The company, a pioneer in single-cup coffee makers, provides state-of-the-art equipment, beverages, programs and services to offices, manufacturing facilities, supermarkets, hotels, retailers and other places of employment. For further information on Filterfresh, its growth plans or franchise opportunities, visit the Web site at www.filterfresh.com.