Cub Foods Is First Minnesota Grocer to Earn EPA ENERGY STAR Label; A Single Energy Efficient Store Saves More Than 786,000 Kilowatt Hours of Energy Annually.

Business Editors

STILLWATER, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2003

Cub Foods today announced it is the first grocer in the state of Minnesota to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) with an ENERGY STAR(R) label, a designation given to buildings that demonstrate proven energy management strategies and attain superior standards of efficient energy consumption. The Cub Foods Blaine East store, located in Blaine, Minn., is the first Cub Foods store to earn the label. Equipped with the latest in energy efficient lighting, heating and cooling technologies, the store saves nearly one million kilowatt hours of energy annually - enough to power 125 homes for an entire year.

"We're exceptionally proud to earn the ENERGY STAR label because it's something that's good for the community, the environment and our customers," said Gordy Farrington, president, Cub Foods western region. "Ranking among the most energy efficient supermarkets nationwide means we're generating cost savings that we can pass on to our customers. It's a win-win situation for everyone involved."

The Blaine East store's energy efficient heating, cooling and refrigeration systems, which are designed to prevent the emission of greenhouse gases, help prevent the emission of more than 1.2 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually - the equivalent of taking 125 cars off the road or planting 171 acres of trees. Each month, the Cub Foods Blaine East store uses around 65,557 fewer kilowatt hours than the average Cub Foods store.

"Going forward, we plan to expand the ENERGY STAR label to other Cub Foods stores," Farrington said. "Even now, as we remodel existing stores, we strive to implement the latest, most energy efficient designs and technologies. And, as we design new stores, we use the EPA's ENERGY STAR standards as the minimum requirement for energy efficiency. Our ultimate goal is to make each facility as energy efficient as possible, using the latest equipment and architectural techniques."

Designed by SUPERVALU's Design Service Group, the Blaine East store combines architectural elements - such as highly efficient exterior walls - with energy efficient technologies designed to improve heating, cooling and refrigeration systems. The store uses high-efficiency refrigeration compressors, advanced heating and cooling equipment and special energy management control systems that integrate the building's refrigeration, lighting and climate control systems to achieve maximum energy efficiency.

Ranked on the EPA's 100-point national energy rating scale, the Blaine East store achieved a score above 75, placing the store in the top 25 percent of all supermarkets nationwide. Currently, the Blaine East store is one of only 172 supermarkets in the country to earn the ENERGY STAR label.

To qualify for an ENERGY STAR label, a facility must meet the EPA's standards for energy efficiency as well as strict industry standards for comfort and indoor air quality, as verified by a professional engineer. For more information on the ENERGY STAR program, visit the program's Web site at www.energystar.gov.

Cub Foods, one of the first discount food stores in the country, established the original concept of "Consumers United for Buying" in 1968. In 1980, SUPERVALU bought Cub Foods and expanded it from five stores to what will be 48 stores in the Twin Cities by March 2004. Cub's efficient buying, volume purchasing and disciplined format bring low prices, innovation and convenience to its customers.