Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 24, 2012

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

NOTE 1 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Dole Food Company, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (“Dole” or the “Company”) include all adjustments necessary, which are of a normal recurring nature, to present fairly Dole’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Dole operates under a 52/53-week year. The quarters ended March 24, 2012 and March 26, 2011 are twelve weeks in duration. For a summary of significant accounting policies and additional information relating to Dole’s financial statements, refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8 of Dole’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.

Interim results are subject to seasonal variations and are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year. Dole’s operations are sensitive to a number of factors including weather-related phenomena and their effects on industry volumes, prices, product quality and costs. Operations are also sensitive to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates in both sourcing and selling locations as well as economic crises and security risks.

In March 2003, Dole completed a going-private merger transaction. As a result of the transaction, Dole became wholly-owned by David H. Murdock, Dole’s Chairman. In October 2009, Dole completed a $446 million initial public offering (“IPO”) of its common stock and received proceeds of $415 million. Dole’s chairman, David H. Murdock, and his affiliates beneficially own 51,710,000 common shares, or approximately 58.1% of Dole’s outstanding common shares.