Pennington Seed Is Exclusive Supplier of Grass Seed for Super Bowl XXXIX for Third Consecutive Year

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2005

MADISON, Ga. -- Pennington's "Princess 77" Seed Varietal Selected for Durability and Color; Complete Line of Innovative Seed Varieties Available for Professional and Consumer Applications

Pennington Seed, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Central Garden & Pet Company (NASDAQ:CENT), today announced that it is the exclusive supplier of the grass seed used to produce the playing field for Super Bowl XXXIX to be played on February 6, 2005. Pennington Seed's innovative "Princess 77" Bermudagrass seed was selected for its sharp color and intense durability. This is the third consecutive year Pennington Seed has been selected to provide the surface for the world's largest single-day athletic event.

"Once again, Pennington Seed is proud to provide Super Bowl XXXIX with the highest quality playing surface," noted Ronnie Stapp, executive vice president of Pennington Seed. "Princess 77 is an innovative hybrid Bermudagrass sod that features incredible color and durability for extreme conditions."

Pennington Seed's Princess 77 is the first dense, fine textured hybrid Bermudagrass variety to be available in seeded form. It features sharp green color and has outstanding drought tolerance. The National Turfgrass Evaluation Program evaluated Princess turf type seeded Bermudagrass as the best overall Bermudagrass. Princess 77 will be made available this spring to lawn and garden enthusiasts through home improvement centers.

In addition to being the grass seed provider for the Super Bowl, Pennington Seed provided the playing surface for the United States Open golf tournament in 2004 and is currently the grass seed supplier for numerous high-profile athletic venues including professional, collegiate and scholastic stadiums, automotive and horse racing facilities and high-traffic state and national parks across the country.

"Pennington Seed has a wide range of leading grass seed varieties for consumer and professional applications," concluded Mr. Stapp. "Princess 77 is an example of our leadership and dedication to innovation and quality. At Pennington, we provide high quality grass seed varieties for nearly every climatic zone and soil condition."

About Pennington Seed

Pennington Seed is the leading marketer and producer of numerous mixtures and blends of cool and warm season turf grass for both the residential and professional markets. These products are marketed under the Pennington Seed, Pennington, Princess, Penkoted, Max-Q, ProSelect, Tournament Quality, MasterTurf, Rebel and Palmer's Pride brand names. We also produce private label brands of grass seed including Wal*Mart's private label program. Pennington Seed is the largest packager of grass seed in the world. Pennington Seed is also a leading manufacturer and distributor of lawn, garden, turf care, forage grasses, wildlife and birdseed products. Pennington Seed was founded in 1945 by Brooks Pennington Sr. For more information, please visit Pennington Seed's website at www.penningtonseed.com.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the pet and lawn and garden supplies markets. Our pet products include pet bird and small animal food, aquarium products, flea, tick, mosquito and other pest control products, edible bones, cages, carriers, pet books, and other dog, cat, reptile and small animal products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Kaytee, All-Glass Aquarium, Oceanic, Kent Marine, Energy Savers Unlimited, Zodiac, Pre-Strike, Altosid, Nylabone, TFH, Four Paws and Interpet. Our lawn and garden products include grass seed, wild bird food, weed and insect control products, decorative outdoor patio products and ant control products. These products are sold under a number of brand names, including Pennington, Norcal Pottery, New England Pottery, GKI/Bethlehem Lighting, Lilly Miller, Matthews Four Seasons, AMDRO and Grant's. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company's website at http://www.centralgardenandpet.com/.