RICHMOND, CA, November 28, 2006 - Rubicon continues to push the limits of social entrepreneurship with its latest innovation - the launch of the fair trade cake. Rubicon Bakery is proud to announce the introduction of its Gourmet Chocolate Torte, the first commercially available cake made with Fair Trade Certified™ ingredients - an entirely new Fair Trade product category available to U.S. Consumers. Fair Trade Certified dark chocolate and gourmet coffee give this six-inch, double layer cake a sophisticated, rich flavor. The cakes are available at Andronico's, Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's and other select food stores. They will also be for sale shortly online at www.rubiconbakery.com.

The launch is being made in conjunction with TransFair USA - the only third-party certifier of Fair Trade products for the U.S. Rubicon and TransFair share a common mission: giving marginalized individuals and communities the tools they need to bootstrap themselves out of poverty. All sales from Rubicon Bakery support Rubicon Programs, which has helped over 35,000 under-served individuals get jobs, housing and the skills they need to create better lives for themselves. Fair Trade Certification ensures that farmers in the developing world get paid a fair price for their harvest, in addition to strict environmental and labor standards.

"We are excited that Rubicon Bakery is the first American company to create a 'Fair Trade inside' product" said Rick Aubry, President of Rubicon. "Rubicon is one of America's leading nonprofit social enterprises, creating jobs for people normally excluded from the American mainstream. Baking the great American cake - where every purchase unites Rubicon bakers in the Bay Area with coffee and cocoa farmers across the globe - is the culmination of a long-held dream: connecting consumer purchasing power with the alleviation of poverty throughout the world. With our friend Muhammad Yunus winning the Nobel Prize for his social capitalism, Bono creating the 'Red' brand to bring greater awareness to consumer purchasing power and with Rubicon's four time selection as a 'social capitalist of the year' we think we are part of the bleeding edge of business which is combining great products with an even greater cause."

"I am delighted that Rubicon is using Fair Trade Certified ingredients, making their already delicious cake that much sweeter," said Paul Rice, TransFair USA President and CEO. "Their goals and our goals are the same - connecting marginalized individuals and communities to mainstream markets in order to alleviate poverty. This launch proves that their commitment runs deep, extending beyond borders and oceans - because we are all connected, especially through food."

For the fourth year in a row, Rubicon Programs, Inc. - a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that helps under-served individuals get jobs, housing and skills they need to create better lives for themselves - was named a Social Capitalist Award winner by Fast Company magazine and the Monitor Group. Rubicon Programs is one of forty-three non-profits honored for creative business solutions to the most challenging social problems today. The winners are featured in Fast Company's Dec/Jan. 2007 issue.

More and more, business-minded social entrepreneurs are helping to shape a new version of capitalism--one that melds financial success with social responsibility. Rubicon funds over 50% of its $16 million budget from revenues generated by its bakery and landscaping enterprises, fees from services and rental properties.

"Our Social Capitalist Awards winners have forged partnerships that blur commerce and charity, challenging our assumptions about making a profit and making a difference," said Mark Vamos, editor of Fast Company. "Their alliances help big business bring conscience to commerce, changing old-style capitalism as we know it."

"Prior to the Social Capitalist Awards, no ranking process or 'seal of approval' existed as an authoritative standard for achievement among social entrepreneurs," said Mark Fuller, chairman and CEO of Monitor Group. "Our evaluation measures the impact and effectiveness of these non-profits, making it, among other things, an ideal investor's guide for those who want their charitable dollars to get the highest 'social' return possible."

About Rubicon Bakery and Rubicon Programs

Rubicon Bakery bakes all-natural and handmade cakes, tarts and other delicious desserts which are sold throughout the country. One hundred percent (100%) of proceeds support Rubicon Programs, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization serving the community since 1973. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Rubicon has served over 35,000 people - most of whom are homeless, living with mental illness, or living in poverty - get jobs, housing, legal assistance and the skills they need to create better lives for themselves. For more information about Rubicon Programs, visit www.rubiconprograms.org

About TransFair USA

TransFair USA, a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, is one of twenty members of Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO), and the only independent, third-party certifier of Fair Trade products in the United States. TransFair USA audits transactions between U.S. companies offering Fair Trade Certified™ products and the international suppliers from whom they source, in order to guarantee that the farmers and workers behind Fair Trade Certified goods were paid fair, above-market prices and fair wages. FLO annually inspects producer organizations to ensure that strict socioeconomic development criteria is met using increased Fair Trade revenue, in addition to sustainable farm management, environmental stewardship and democratic decision making. For more information visit
www.transfairusa.org.

About Fast Company and Monitor Group

Fast Company, founded in 1996, is a magazine for and about the creative class. It is a journal of change and changemakers -- dynamic, compelling leaders in both the for-profit and non-profit spheres who are making dramatic innovations to shape the future. Visit www.fastcompany.com for more information.

The Monitor Group is a family of professional services firms, linked by shared ownership, management philosophy, and knowledge assets. Each entity in Monitor's global network is dedicated to providing products and services that fundamentally enhance the competitiveness of its clients. Visit http://www.monitor.com for more information.

Rubicon Programs, Inc.

Rubicon Programs, Inc.

Since 1973, Rubicon has helped over 40,000 people to meet the challenge, and win against all odds to become responsible and self-sufficient. At Rubicon, wasted lives become productive lives, families break out of the cycle of poverty, and neglected neighborhoods begin to reverse their downward spiral. At the same time, Rubicon has become a resourceful and self-sustaining organization, funding well over half of a $16 million dollar budget from revenues generated by its two successful social enterprises. Rubicon is a catalyst for turnaround results, on a very human scale. Rubicon runs innovative employment, mental health and social service programs, builds affordable housing and operates social enterprises that provide a real job for people eager to create opportunities for themselves. Our businesses are run to succeed, and we reinvest our profits to build more business and more job skills. We're an organization that applies various business models to improve our bottom line and our community at the same time. Rubicon has been described as one of the best in the country -- we are a four-time winner of the "Social Capitalist Award" from Fast Company Magazine, and were featured as "Baking a Difference" on the Today Show in 2004. Rubicon was also named outstanding Social Entrepreneur by The Klaus Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship in 2002. Rubicon Landscape Services and Rubicon Bakery grew out of the imperative to create jobs and training for participants. Both have grown into multimillion-dollar enterprises and helped to inspire the people we serve with an entrepreneurial spirit and determination. In turn, it is the individuals we have helped who are fueling Rubicon to become more successful in the long term. It's a perfect full circle of learning, working, growing and high return, with all income reinvested back into our programs. Today, 220 individuals work in our businesses and our service program and we touch 4,000 lives a year. It is our hope that all of Rubicon's programs will continue to move participants out of poverty and back into the community as full members with life supporting skills.

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