Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Commitments And Contingencies

v2.3.0.15
Commitments And Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 24, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments And Contingencies

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

Purchase commitments – Production and purchase agreements (primarily for grass seed and grains) entered into in the ordinary course of business obligate the Company to make future purchases based on estimated yields. The terms of these contracts vary and have fixed prices or quantities. At September 24, 2011, estimated annual purchase commitments were $76.6 million for fiscal 2012, $20.2 million for fiscal 2013, $14.3 million for fiscal 2014, $7.0 million for fiscal 2015, $3.0 million for fiscal 2016 and zero thereafter.

Leases – The Company has operating lease agreements principally for office and warehouse facilities and equipment. Such leases have remaining terms of 1 to 9 years. Rental expense was $24.4 million for fiscal 2011, $26.9 million for fiscal 2010 and $29.1 million for fiscal 2009.

Certain facility leases have renewal options and include escalation clauses. Minimum lease payments include scheduled rent increases pursuant to these escalation provisions.

Aggregate minimum annual payments on non-cancelable operating leases at September 24, 2011 are as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Fiscal year:

   

2012

    $ 18,468   

2013

      10,814   

2014

      7,207   

2015

      5,152   

2016

      2,372   

Thereafter

      1,813   
  

 

 

  

Total

    $ 45,826   
  

 

 

  

Contingencies

The Company may from time to time become involved in certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Currently, the Company is not a party to any legal proceedings that management believes would have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations.