We Olive Announces Sponsorship Of 10th Annual Paso Robles Olive Festival On August 17

National Olive Oil Recipe Contest Grand Prize Includes
Central Coast Olive Oil & Wine Getaway

Festival's Founders Maintain Commitment to Support California's Artisan Growers and Public Education about Locally Produced Olive Oil

Paso Robles, California; June 27, 2013 - Frank and Ruth Mercurio, owners We Olive, California's premier retailer of artisan olive oil, announce the company's sponsorship of the 10th Annual Paso Robles Olive Festival. The festival, which has grown in popularity over the past decade, is reflective of the general public's desire for fresh, locally produced foods and the increased awareness of the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. This year the Paso Robles Olive Festival and We Olive each celebrate their 10th anniversary. As co-founder of the olive festival, We Olive rallies support for California's artisan growers and helps catalyze the growth and awareness of this emerging industry. The Olive Festival promises to inspire food enthusiasts with olive oil samplings from California's finest producers, chef demonstrations, artisan purveyors, wine tasting, food trucks and complimentary olive oil ice cream samples. The Festival is held at the Downtown Paso Robles City Park on Saturday, August 17, 2013 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

A key component of We Olive's commitment to California's artisan growers is to engage and educate the public about the culinary wonders and well-documented health benefits of fresh, extra virgin olive oil. With their in-store guest educational programs and online resources to educate the public about the wonderfully delicious culinary applications of fresh extra virgin olive oil, We Olive also presents an annual "Discover Cooking with California Olive Oil" recipe contest. "Our customers are very passionate about olive oil and cooking, so we created an engaging event for them to showcase their talents," states Ruth Mercurio, owner and member of the California Olive Oil Council's board of directors. The Grand Prize winner of the "Discover Cooking with California Olive Oil" contest will experience first-hand the rich traditions and lifestyle of this emerging artisan industry with a culinary-centric, Central Coast Olive Oil & Wine Getaway that includes the Paso Robles Olive Festival. To enter, contestants are asked to submit one original recipe via the We Olive website (www.weolive.com) using We Olive Extra Virgin or flavored olive oils featured at the stores.
Despite the increasing attention to the plethora of health benefits that olive oil provides, most consumers are
unaware of the many ways to incorporate fresh, delicious olive oil in their diet. Statistics reveal that less than 1 liter of olive oil per person per year is consumed in the United States, whereas those who live along the Mediterranean consume over 20 liters of olive oil per person per year. We Olive is dedicated to narrowing this gap through 'The Olive Oil Experience' in their eleven stores. "We are passionate about raising the level of consumer awareness about the health benefits and superior quality of California Extra Virgin Olive Oils," says owner Frank Mercurio. The 'freshness' factor is critical when using olive oil; we ensure quality and freshness by selling only olive oils that are certified Extra Virgin by the California Olive Oil Council.

With high-profile locations throughout California, and further franchising opportunities, We Olive has cultivated a reputation as a retailer of only the finest artisan products. "The We Olive customer has come to realize, often through tastings and educational seminars at their local We Olive storefronts, that high-quality California olive oil is an essential ingredient needed to elevate the taste and qua