SOUTH BURLINGTON, VT -- April 19, 1999 -- Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., (NASDAQ Symbol: BJICA) today reported financial results for the Company's first quarter ended March 27, 1999.

Consolidated net sales for the quarter ended March 27, 1999 increased by 20.5% to $50,066,000 compared to $41,556,000 for the same period in 1998. Net income for the quarter totaled $1,197,000 as compared to a net income of $380,000 for the same period in 1998. Diluted net income per common share was $0.16 in the first quarter of 1999 compared to a diluted net income per common share of $0.05 in the first quarter of 1998.

The Company's profitability significantly improved over last year's first quarter due primarily to a strong increase in net sales and improvement in its gross profit margin. The increase in net sales was driven by strong domestic growth in the Company's core pint business as well as a significant increase in net sales in the United Kingdom. The Company's gross profit margin increased to 36.1% as compared to 33.6% in the same period last year. Improvements in gross profit margin are primarily the result of increases in selling prices effective in July 1998 and better plant utilization due to higher volumes.

The Company introduced fourteen new products in the first quarter. The product launches featured an innovative new product line, the Frozen Smoothie(TM). Available in 12 oz. single serving containers, the ready-to-eat smoothie features four new flavors, including Strawberry Banana Manna(TM), Tropic of Mango(TM), Raspberry Renewal(TM) and Chai Tea Latte(TM). Four new flavors further strengthen the original ice cream line, including Southern Pecan Pie(TM), available for a limited time as a Special Batch flavor through June of 1999. The Company builds on its successful low fat ice cream business with the addition of two new flavors, including Chocolate Comfort(TM) and Mocha Latte(TM). Broadening the novelty line is S'mores(TM), a chocolate ice cream bar featuring marshmallow, graham cracker and milk chocolate.

The Company also announced that Ben & Jerry's One World One Heart Festival(TM) will be held on Saturday, June 26, 1999 at the Sugarbush Resort in Warren VT.

Ben & Jerry's produces a wide variety of superpremium ice cream, ice cream novelties, low fat ice cream, low fat yogurt and sorbet, using Vermont dairy products, Vermont Pure Spring Water, and high quality, all natural ingredients. Ben & Jerry's products are distributed nationwide and in selected foreign countries in supermarkets, grocery stores, convenience stores, franchised and company-owned Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shops, restaurants and other venues.
 
 

	Thirteen weeks ended
	Mar 27, 1999	Mar 28, 1998
Net sales	$50,066	$41,556
Gross profit	18,089	13,964
Selling, general & administrative expense	16,646	13,423
Operating income	1,443	541
Other income	398	52
Income before income taxes	1,841	593
Net income	1,197	380
Earnings per share - diluted	$0.16	$0.05
Shares outstanding - diluted	7,552	7,451