The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company / Press Room

Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition to Serenade Thousands at the World Financial Center on February 27th

Tony Award Winning Actor, Singer and Dancer Ben Vereen to Serve as Host for the Day-Long Festivities, Celebrates Black History Month

MONTVALE, N.J., February 11, 2010�The Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition has long been a signature event honoring Black History Month. This year, the Competition is better than ever before with a spectacular day of festivities for the entire family. On Saturday, February 27th at the World Financial Center, top choirs from around the country, famous in their own communities, will travel to New York City to compete for $10,000 in prizes. Highlighting this year's event is the special celebrity host, Tony Award winning actor, singer and dancer Ben Vereen.

2010 marks the 10th year that Pathmark is hosting this exciting event, which allows music lovers of all ages to enjoy sweet harmonies. Once again, the scenic World Financial Center Winter Garden, located at West Street between Vesey and Liberty Streets in Lower Manhattan, will serve as the venue for this FREE, fun-filled day.

Youth Division choirs (ages 18 and under) will compete beginning at 10:00 a.m., and winners will be announced from 11:30 a.m. to noon. The Open Division choirs will compete from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and winners will be announced from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Pathmark Gospel Choir Competition is a natural extension of the Company's strong ties to its communities, as it provides its neighborhoods with bright, welcoming stores featuring fresh produce and quality groceries all at affordable prices. For more information about Pathmark or the Gospel Choir Competition, visit the Community section at www.pathmark.com, your online neighborhood.

About Pathmark:
Pathmark is part of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company's family of supermarkets. The company operates 433 stores in 8 states and the District of Columbia under the following trade names: A&P, Waldbaum's, Pathmark, Best Cellars, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh and Food Basics.

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Investor Contact:
Krystyna Lack
Vice President, Treasury Services
(201) 571-4320

Press contact:
Lauren La Bruno
Senior Director, Public Relations
(201) 571-4453

Founded:
1859 by George Huntington Hartford and George Gilman

Headquarters:
Montvale, NJ

Stock Symbol:
NYSE: "GAP"

Number of Stores:
429

Retail Banners:
A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Fresh, Pathmark and Food Basics

Annual Sales Volume:
$8.8 billion of Total Sales for fiscal year 2009 ended February 27, 2010

Scope of Operations:
8 U.S. states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland),Virginia, and the District of Columbia

Own Brands:
America's Choice, America's Choice Healthy Kids, Hartford Reserve, Live Better Wellness, America's Choice Gold, Smart Price, Greenway, Via Roma

Number of Employees:
Approximately 48,000

President & CEO:
Sam Martin

Executive Chairman:
Christian W.E. Haub