A&P launches Mid-Atlantic Country Farms line of locally raised chicken, turkey and beef products, available at select stores; animals are raised on 100% vegetarian feed on family-owned farms

Cindy Allen

MONTVALE, New Jersey , July 12, 2011 (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co.) – The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P, OTC: GAPTQ) today announced the launch of a brand new line of locally raised chicken, turkey and beef products exclusively available to customers at select A&P, Pathmark, Superfresh, Waldbaum’s and The Food Emporium stores. All Mid-Atlantic Country Farms products are raised by family-owned farms using humane and sustainable farming methods, reducing the environmental impact of shipping food products over long distances.

Mid-Atlantic Country Farms is dedicated to the highest standards of animal care and husbandry. Farmers use 100% vegetarian feed made from corn, soybean meal and a blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and oils. Many of these farms have been owned by the same families for multiple generations.

“Our new Mid-Atlantic Country Farms brand offers our customers great tasting poultry and beef that is naturally raised on farms within close proximity to the communities we serve,” said Tom O’Boyle, Executive Vice President of Merchandising, Marketing, Supply and Logistics. “We are pleased to support the efforts of Mid-Atlantic farmers to provide our customers with healthier and tastier beef and poultry options, while offering customers the more environmentally sustainable choice of fresh, locally-sourced chicken, turkey and beef.”

All chicken products are completely antibiotic-free and raised by local farmers across Pennsylvania. The beef products are raised on more than 140 family farms throughout Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Delaware. All Mid-Atlantic Farms beef is Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) certified, All-Natural (minimally processed with no artificial ingredients) and Choice Angus Beef/Aged for tenderness and taste.

“This new brand of local poultry and beef is a direct response to our customers’ requests for more ‘green’ options that offer a reduced carbon footprint and less reliance on fossil fuels,” added Harry Giglio, Vice President of Meat & Seafood. “We’re proud to provide our customers with even greater value through high-standard, delicious products across our stores.”

Mid-Atlantic Country Farms chicken is available now in all A&P, Waldbaum’s, Superfresh, Pathmark, and The Food Emporium Stores. Beef and turkey will be available in select stores throughout the summer. Natural chicken products will replace the Greenway brand natural chicken products currently sold in A&P banner stores. Greenway organic products, including chicken, will still be available.

Shoppers are encouraged to view Mid-Atlantic Country Farms’ new website at www.midatlanticcountryfarms.com for more information.

ABOUT A&P

Founded in 1859, A&P is one of the nation's first supermarket chains. The Company operates 336 stores in 7 states and the District of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Superfresh and Food Basics.

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