DMND (MM)

Diamond Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq:DMND) announced today that the Emerald Nuts Midnight Run in New York City's Central Park reached new levels of success in building brand awareness among consumers who embrace healthy, active lifestyles. The four-mile run, held at midnight each New Year's Eve in New York City, featured a large fireworks display and costume contest. Emerald Nuts, title sponsor of the New Year's event for the past 8 years, also provided runners and spectators with Emerald products and prizes throughout the night. Emerald Breakfast on-the-go! Nut and Granola Mix samples kept the crowd energized well past midnight, while Emerald 100 calorie packs were the perfect post-race snack for runners.

The race attracted a record number of runners for the Emerald event with over 6,000 runners registered in the race and thousands more spectators. Gary Tuchman, a national correspondent for CNN, ran the Midnight Run for the 5th year in a row with his daughter and provided live coverage as part of "New Year's Eve Live with Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin." The race was also highlighted in other major news outlets, such as USA Today and the New York Times, while Emerald branded 2012 crowns blanketed the crowds at morning shows such as The Today Show and Good Morning America.

Warm temperatures helped to fuel fast race times. Landon Peacock of Blowing Rock, North Carolina won the men's division with a time of 18 minutes, 35 seconds and Stephanie Pezzullo of Charlotte, North Carolina, won the women's division, with a time of 21 minutes, 5 seconds.

"The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is a perfect way to get a head start on a healthy 2012." said Jeff Ngo, Director of Marketing for Diamond Foods. "Diamond Foods is always looking for ways to provide consumers with great tasting and healthy snacks that will get them through their entire day, even if it's in the middle of the night."

The Emerald Nuts Midnight Run is one of Emerald's many running events that take place across the U.S. annually. In 2011, Emerald also sponsored The ING New York City Marathon and The Honda Los Angeles Marathon. Emerald's next running event, The Emerald Across the Bay 12K over the Golden Gate Bridge, will be held March 18th, 2012 in San Francisco and has been called the best bridge run in America by Runner's World magazine.

About Diamond

Diamond Foods is an innovative packaged food company focused on building, acquiring and energizing brands including Kettle Brand® chips, Emerald® snack nuts, Pop Secret® popcorn, and Diamond of California® nuts. The Company's products are distributed in a wide range of stores where snacks and culinary nuts are sold. Corporate Web Site: www.diamondfoods.com.

Consumer Web Sites: www.diamondnuts.com, www.emeraldnuts.com, www.emeraldbreakfastonthego.com, www.popsecret.com, www.kettlebrand.com, www.kettlefoods.co.uk. 

The Diamond Foods, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6112

CONTACT: Investor Contact
         Linda Segre
         SVP, Corporate Strategy
         Diamond Foods
         415-445-7444
         lsegre@diamondfoods.com
         
         Media Contact
         Stephen Sibert
         VP, Corporate Affairs
         Diamond Foods
         415-445-7444
         ssibert@diamondfoods.com