A&P Becomes Only Supermarket Chain in the Northeast to Offer Premium Gold Angus (PGA) Beef... The Finest Black Angus Available on the Market.

A&P Granted Exclusive License to Offer Premier Black Angus, Which Is Served at the Finest Restaurants in the World; Now Available at More Than 350 A&P Banner Stores

MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P) (NYSE:GAP) today becomes the "only" supermarket chain in the Northeast to carry Premium Gold Angus (PGA) Beef, the finest Black Angus beef available on the market.

Through a partnership with Austin, Texas-based PGA Beef, Inc., A&P has been granted an exclusive license to carry Premium Gold Angus at more than 350 banner stores in the Northeast, including A&P, SuperFresh, Waldbaum's, and The Food Emporium. Produced from USDA "genetically verified" Angus Cattle, PGA Beef is regarded as the finest Black Angus available for quality and freshness, and is served only at the best restaurants - and on luxury cruise lines - around the world.

PGA Beef, which will be offered in a full-line of cuts, including grinds, roasts and steaks, stands apart from traditional Black Angus beef in that it comes from corn-fed Angus, which results in the most tender and flavorful beef available. In fact, PGA Beef produces the highest marbling scores given by the USDA. Studies show that marbling, which measures the fine specs of fat within the lean of beef, greatly enhances the flavor and tenderness. Moreover, PGA Beef is placed at the upper tier of the USDA's Choice grading chart, which signifies that the product offers the highest marbling scores of any product in the Choice category.

PGA Beef is produced by the Hartley Family, one of the most revered names in the Black Angus beef industry. As sixth generation Black Angus breeders, the Hartley's are renowned for their genetically verified Angus beef, which today is known as the True Black Angus Beef.

"We are very excited to partner with PGA Beef, Inc., and the Hartley Family, in bringing the finest quality Black Angus in the market today to our A&P banner stores," said Sal Baio, Vice President of Fresh, A&P. "Consumers throughout the Northeast, for the first time ever, can now purchase this exclusive Black Angus beef that is available at only the best restaurants in the world."

"The partnership between PGA Beef and A&P is significant to consumers because both companies share a commitment to delivering the finest quality products to their customers," said Dwight Hartley, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, PGA Beef, Inc. "Because the Black Angus beef pool in the U.S. is very diluted, the licenses offered by PGA Beef, Inc., whose cattle are verified by the USDA, strongly validate the quality and freshness of the Black Angus that will be offered at A&P."

Perhaps the most telling sign of the confidence in the quality of PGA Beef is A&P's unmatched "Money Back Guarantee" that provides consumers with "triple" their money back if they are not satisfied with the product. Adds Baio, "PGA Beef has no equal in the Black Angus market, which is why we know consumers will be completely satisfied with their beef purchase."

As part of the Company's launch of PGA Beef across its banner stores, A&P has developed a comprehensive point of sale program that leverages the PGA Beef brand's verified Black Angus heritage and premium eating enjoyment. The Company will be providing "in-store" education to consumers on Black Angus beef selection, preparation and recipes, including the creation of a 12-page grilling brochure that will include buying & cooking tips, and recipes.

Founded in 1859, A&P is one of the nation's first supermarket chains. The company operates 406 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics.