Exhibit 99.1


                              PIEMONTE FOODS, INC.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       NEWS RELEASE


     On August 6, 1999, First Union National Bank ("First Union"), the Company's
lender,  filed suit  against the Company  and its  subsidiaries  in the Court of
Common  Pleas in the County of  Greenville,  South  Carolina  seeking  immediate
seizure of collateral  securing its Notes from the Company and seeking  judgment
against the Company in the amount of $1,931,355.  The collateral  securing First
Union's Notes consists of all of the Company's assets.

     The value of the assets securing First Union's Notes is substantially  less
than the  amount of the  indebtedness;  therefore,  there is no  possibility  of
realizing any funds for either creditors of the Company or its shareholders. The
Company  will seek to obtain a release of  sufficient  funds from First Union to
continue to meet current payroll for employees.  The Company will also cooperate
with First Union in the pending  litigation so that the employees of the Company
might continue their  employment  with any other company that might purchase the
Company's assets. Accordingly, the Company intends to enter into a Consent Order
with First Union  providing  for judgment  against it and its  subsidiaries  and
agreeing to the relief sought by First Union, allowing First Union to dispose of
the collateral and at the same time allowing the Company to operate its business
while seeking a purchaser of the assets of the Company.

     The  Company  will cease all  operations  after such sale or, in any event,
after August 31, 1999.