NEW ORLEANS, March 5, 2009 - Save-A-Lot, the nation's leading extreme-value grocery chain is opening three new stores in New Orleans as part of its continuing commitment to helping revitalize the city. The new stores are located at 1841 Almonaster, 2841 South Claiborne and 3610 MacArthur. An official "dollar-cutting" ceremony held at the Almonaster store will kick-off the grand opening celebrations on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. Festivities will continue throughout the weekend at all seven area Save-A-Lot stores. 

"We are dedicated to supporting the communities of New Orleans with the opening of new food stores in neighborhoods where they are needed most," said Rick Meyer, Vice President of Market Development for Save-A-Lot. "Save-A-Lot fulfills an important need by providing budget-conscious, quality-focused shoppers with great food at great prices, often in communities ignored or abandoned by conventional grocery chains, especially after the impact of Hurricane Katrina."

The new stores join four existing Save-A-Lot food stores in the New Orleans area that were rebuilt or renovated after Katrina (601 Terry Pkwy., 5003 Lapalco Blvd., 6525 Airline Hwy. and 191 Gause Blvd. W. in Slidell). In addition, one of Save-A-Lot's 15 distribution centers is located in nearby Hammond, Louisiana. Approximately 100 employees have been hired at the three new stores, which are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

"Save-A-Lot offers the smart choice for grocery shopping with excellent-quality groceries at significant savings, as well as a time-saving shopping experience," said Myron Ball, Regional Director of Operations. "Local shoppers can expect to save up to 40 percent on their grocery bills."

Feeding Minds and Bodies

As part of its dedication to being a neighborhood grocery store and backing community organizations, activities and events, Save-A-Lot is donating to a variety of charitable causes in conjunction with the new store openings.

 First Book, an organization that provides new books to children in need, will receive a $5,000 cash donation to help buy books for children at Kid's of Excellence Daycare. The Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana also will receive a food donation equaling $5,000 to assist in its efforts to fight against hunger in south Louisiana and meet the extraordinary needs of a region in recovery.

"Save-A-Lot is known for its outstanding corporate citizenship in several diverse neighborhoods that we call home," said Vanessa Foster, Director of Communications and Community Relations for Save-A-Lot. "Partnering with First Book and Second Harvest in New Orleans makes sense to us since Save-A-Lot advocates healthy eating and supports families spending time together by sharing meals and reading activities."  

"As a resident of New Orleans, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact that dedicated companies, organizations and individuals are having in our community," said Andrea Chen, Chair of First Book-Greater New Orleans. "It is wonderful to see Save-A-Lot partner with First Book to provide new books and stories to help feed the young minds in our community." 

About Save-A-Lot Food Stores

Save-A-Lot is one of the nation's leading extreme value, carefully selected assortment grocery chains, operating nearly 1,200 stores in 39 states from Maine to California. Serving more than 5 million shoppers each week, Save-A-Lot offers a savings of up to 40 percent less on groceries when compared to conventional stores. Customers enjoy savings on exclusive Save-A-Lot brands and national brands, plus fresh meat and farm-fresh fruits, vegetables and dairy, along with the most popular grocery and household items. Save-A-Lot helps its customers live richer, fuller lives by saving them money and time through a smart, convenient shopping experience featuring great food, great prices and great people every day. For more information on Save-A-Lot or to locate a store, please visit www.save-a-lot.com.

About First Book

First Book provides new books to children in need addressing one of the most important factors affecting literacy - access to books. An innovative leader in social enterprise, First Book has distributed more than 60 million free and low cost books in thousands of communities. Within days of Katrina's landfall, First Book launched Book Relief - an unprecedented effort to provide 5 million new books to the children and families who lost so much in the 2005 hurricanes and to organizations rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Throughout the two-year effort, First Book distributed books to thousands of programs in more than 20 states. First Book now has offices in the U.S. and Canada. For more information about the nonprofit First Book please visit www.firstbook.org or call 866-393-1222.

About Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana (GNOA)

The Second Harvest Food Bank of GNOA is a member of the Feeding America^TM (formally America's Second Harvest) network, Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans and United Way. Second Harvest provides food to more than 220 nonprofit and faith-based agencies throughout its 23-parish service territory - from the Mississippi border to the Texas state line. In fiscal year ending June 2008, Second Harvest provided 14 million meals to individuals living in food in secure households. The mission of Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana is to lead the fight against hunger in south Louisiana through food distribution, advocacy, education, and disaster response. To donate food, money or time, please visit www.no-hunger.org.

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For more information contact:

Sara Miller, (660) 349-9498                                    Kris Brill, (314) 780-1332

saram@blickandstaff.com                                       krbrill@swbell.net