NEWS RELEASE

Leading Brands, Inc. Announces Personnel Changes



VANCOUVER, British Columbia--March 13, 2003-- LEADING BRANDS, INC. LBIX (TSX:LBI), Canada's largest independent, fully integrated premium beverage company, announces that Donna Higgins, its Chief Controller and Vice-President of Administration, has been appointed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer, effective April 1, 2003.

Prior to joining Leading Brands in 1999, Ms. Higgins held senior accounting and finance positions with both a large Pepsi bottler and regional beverage distributor. Ms. Higgins replaces Derek Henrey who leaves the Company to pursue an employment opportunity closer to his home. Mr. Henrey was originally hired as the CFO of Quick, Inc.

Also, Gerry Kenyon, the President of Quick, Inc. and later Chief Operating Officer of the Company's distribution operation will be leaving the Company to pursue an opportunity with a large Eastern Canadian grocery chain. Mr. Kenyon's remaining responsibilities will be assumed by David Read, President of LBI Brands, Inc.

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About Leading Brands, Inc.

Leading Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ:LBIX, TSX:LBI) is the largest independent, fully integrated premium beverage company in Canada. The Company’s unique Integrated Distribution System (IDS) ™ offers turnkey, one-stop shopping to food and beverage brand owners, including manufacturing, distribution, sales/marketing and licensing. In addition, Leading Brands produces their own line of beverages such as TREK™, Pez® 100% Juices™, Johnny’s Roadside® Iced Tea and Lemonade, Country Harvest® Juices, Caesar’s® Bloody Caesar Cocktail, and Cool Canadian® Water. Leading Brands recently undertook a major expansion into the United States, with its US headquarters located in Stamford, CT.

Statements in this news release that are not historical are to be regarded as forward-looking statements which are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company's business include general economic conditions, weather conditions, changing beverage consumption trends, pricing, and the availability of raw materials and economic uncertainties, including currency.

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