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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MGP INGREDIENTS ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE FOR RESUMING
DISTILLERY OPERATIONS AT ATCHISON PLANT


ATCHISON, Kan., October 11, 2002--MGP Ingredients, Inc., (MGPI/Nasdaq) has
announced that it is proceeding with plans to restart alcohol production at its
Atchison, Kan., plant, where an explosion on Sept. 13 caused significant damage
to the company's distillery operations. "While we expect that it will take from
nine months to a year to complete the total rebuilding process, we anticipate
that we could resume some alcohol production at the plant within two months,"
said Ladd Seaberg, president and chief executive officer.

Although a full damage assessment is still being completed, the company has
made a preliminary determination of equipment replacement needs and initiated an
engineering study, according to Seaberg. Noting that no firm estimates have yet
been made, Seaberg stated that "we believe our insurance will be sufficient to
substantially offset rebuilding costs, as well as business interruption costs."

Historically, the Atchison distillery has produced approximately one-third
of the company's total alcohol output. During the time the distillery remains
inoperable, the company believes that production capabilities at its Pekin,
Ill., facility should be adequate to supply regular customers. However, the
company's ability to supply spot business at this time is substantially reduced.
During the past fiscal year, the Atchison distillery produced nearly 60 million
proof gallons of alcohol. That amount accounted for approximately 19 percent of
the company's total fuel grade alcohol production and approximately 67 percent
of its total food grade alcohol production.

Because the Atchison plant's wheat-based ingredient and alcohol production
processes are integrated, the distillery shutdown has interfered with the
company's ability to produce the base raw material for specialty ingredients at
this location. "Fortunately," Seaberg said, "our Illinois operation has been
able to produce the base proteins and starches, which are then transferred to
the Atchison facility as raw material for producing our specialty products."

Seaberg stated that despite current obstacles, the company has not altered
its plans to grow its specialty wheat-based ingredient sales in fiscal 2003
above the $37.4 million in sales that were realized in fiscal 2002.

"We are more determined than ever to achieve our objectives and to secure a
bright and successful future for the company and those we serve," Seaberg said.
"While the incident on September 13 has partially disabled our Atchison
operations, our people have rallied in a tremendous way and are putting forth
great effort to overcome this temporary setback."

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ADD1--MGP INGREDIENTS ANNOUNCES TIMETABLE

Seaberg reported that conditions at the Atchison plant have forced the
temporary layoff of 41 of the facility's 300 employees at this time. "We are
doing everything we can to minimize the impact of this situation on our
workforce," he said. "It is our hope to provide jobs for as many affected
employees as possible just as quickly as conditions allow."

Seaberg praised employees for their "patience and extraordinary performance
during this difficult period." He said that "while the distillery mishap has
thrown a number of challenges our way, it has motivated us to become more
innovative in our approach to fulfilling our customers' needs."

The explosion occurred when alcohol vapors in the plant's stillhouse
apparently ignited. The source of the ignition, however, has not yet been
determined. "Thankfully, the effects of the explosion were not more severe,"
Seaberg said. "Above all, we are fortunate and extremely grateful that the blast
did not result in any life-threatening injuries." One employee, training
coordinator Fred Gage, was briefly hospitalized for burns. He recently returned
to his job after recuperating for a period at his home.

Formerly known as Midwest Grain Products, Inc., the business was renamed
MGP Ingredients, Inc. yesterday at the close of the 61-year-old company's annual
meeting of stockholders. The name change was approved by holders of the
company's preferred stock on Aug. 27 and was made to more accurately reflect a
greatly increased focus on the development, production and marketing of
specialty ingredients derived from natural sources.

This news release contains forward-looking statements as well as historical
information. Forward-looking statements are identified by or are associated with
such words as "intend," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "anticipate,"
"hopeful," "should," "may" and similar expressions. They reflect management's
current beliefs and estimates of future economic circumstances, industry
conditions, company performance and financial results and are not guarantees of
future performance. The forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions
and factors, including those relating to grain prices, gasoline prices, energy
costs, product pricing, competitive environment and related marketing
conditions, operating efficiencies, access to capital and actions of governments
or government officials. Any changes in the assumptions or factors could produce
materially different results than those predicted and could impact stock values.


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