Lori Varlas Named To “Most Influential Women In Business” List By The San Francisco Business Times

Central Garden & 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, announced today that Lori Varlas, its Chief Financial Officer, has been recognized as one of the Bay Area’s 150 most influential women in business by the San Francisco Business Times.

“Congratulations to Lori for being recognized for her leadership and commitment to excellence,” said Bill Brown, Central’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We are proud of her accomplishments and for being recognized for this award.”

Ms. Varlas has over 28 years of extensive finance and operational experience. Prior to joining Central Garden & Pet as CFO, she held senior finance positions at Sun Microsystems and Peoplesoft, among others. Ms. Varlas began her career at Price Waterhouse and received her business/accounting degree from Biola University.

For the past decade, the San Francisco Business Times has annually compiled a list to honor the outstanding women professionals who make a difference in their companies, industries and communities across the San Francisco Bay Area. Varlas will be honored at a gala awards ceremony tonight in San Francisco.

About Central Garden & Pet

Central Garden & Pet Company is a leading innovator, marketer and producer of quality branded products for the lawn & garden and pet supplies markets. Committed to new product innovation, our products are sold to specialty independent and mass retailers. Participating categories in Lawn & Garden include: Grass seed and the brands PENNINGTON®, SMART SEED® and THE REBELS®; wild bird feed and the brand PENNINGTON®; weed and insect control and the brands AMDRO®, SEVIN®, IRONITE® and OVER-N-OUT®; and decorative outdoor patio products and the brands NORCAL POTTERY®, NEW ENGLAND POTTERY® and MATTHEWS FOUR SEASONS™. 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™ and ZODIAC®; aquatics and reptile and the brands OCEANIC SYSTEMS®, AQUEON® and ZILLA®; bird & small animal and the brands KAYTEE®, SUPER PET® and CRITTER TRAIL®; dog & cat and the brands TFH™, NYLABONE®, FOUR PAWS®, PINNACLE® and AVODERM®; and equine and the brands FARNAM®, VITA FLEX® and HORSE HEALTH ^TM PRODUCTS. We also provide a host of other application-specific pet brands and supplies. Central Garden & Pet Company is based in Walnut Creek, California, and has approximately 4,000 employees, primarily in North America. For additional information on Central Garden & Pet Company, including access to the Company's SEC filings, please visit the Company’s website at www.central.com.

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