8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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FORM 8-K

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CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): October 27, 2012

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CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

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New Jersey	1-550	04-1923360
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

550 South Caldwell Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (980) 636-5000

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(d)

On October 27, 2012, the Board of Directors of Chiquita Brands International, Inc. (the "Company") elected a new director, Ronald V. Waters III. Mr. Waters, age 60, has been a private investor since May 2010. He previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of LoJack Corporation, a global leader in finding and recovering a wide range of mobile assets including cars, from January 2009 to May 2010. From February 2007 to December 2008 he served as LoJack’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Water’s also served as a member of the Board of Directors of LoJack from February 2007 to May 2010. Prior to joining LoJack, Mr. Waters served as Chief Operating Officer of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, a global leader in confections, from 2003 to 2006 and Chief Financial Officer from 1999 to 2003. He also currently serves as a director of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. and HNI Corporation.

Mr. Waters will receive the Company's standard compensation package for non-employee directors, which is described in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in the section entitled “Compensation of Directors – Annual Compensation of Non-Employee Directors.” Mr. Waters also will serve on the Board’s Audit Committee.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)  Exhibits.

The following exhibit is furnished with this Current Report on Form 8-K:

Exhibit No.	Description
Exhibit 99.1	Press Release issued by Chiquita Brands International, Inc., dated as of October 29, 2012.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 29, 2012
	CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
	By:	/s/ James Thompson
		James E. Thompson
		Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

News Release

Contact: Steve Himes, 980-636-5636,shimes@chiquita.com, (Investors & Analysts)

Tiffany Breaux, 980-636-5029, tbreaux@chiquita.com (Media)

Chiquita Brands Names Ronald V. Waters III to Board of Directors

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – October 29, 2012 – Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) announced today the election of Ronald V. Waters III to the Board of Directors, increasing the number of members from eight to nine. Waters, 60, joins the board having most recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the LoJack Corporation, a global leader in finding and recovering a wide range of mobile assets including cars, construction equipment and motorcycles, from January 2009 to May 2010. Waters brings significant management experience in finance, strategic planning and executive leadership. He also has been appointed to serve on the Audit Committee of the Board.

“We are pleased to have Ron join Chiquita’s board,” said Kerrii B. Anderson, chairwoman of the board. “Ron brings with him an extensive and diverse business background in addition to finance and audit experience. His skill set and insight will complement and add to the strengths of the other board members.”

“I am tremendously excited to be joining Chiquita’s board,” said Waters. “I am very impressed with the range of experience and talent on the board, and look forward to helping Chiquita to achieve its strategic vision and grow shareholder value.”

Waters served as a member of the Board of Directors of LoJack from February 2007 to May 2010.  Prior to joining LoJack, he served as Chief Operating Officer (2003 to 2006) and Chief Financial Officer (1999 to 2003) of Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, a leading global manufacturer of chewing gum, candy and confectionery products.  Other previous experience included serving in various finance positions for The Gillette Company and as a partner at KPMG, LLP. He is currently a director of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. and HNI Corporation.

ABOUT CHIQUITA BRANDS INTERNATIONAL, INC.

Chiquita Brands (NYSE: CQB) is a leading international marketer and distributor of high-quality fresh and value-added food products - from energy-rich bananas and other fruits to nutritious blends of convenient green salads. The company markets its healthy, fresh products under the Chiquita® and Fresh Express® premium brands and other related trademarks. With annual revenues of more than $3 billion, Chiquita employs more than 21,000 people and has operations in nearly 70 countries worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.chiquita.com/.

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