FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Meredith Gremel, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & Communications, SpartanNash, 616-878-2830

SpartanNash Foundation Launches Companywide Partnership with Special Olympics Fundraising Campaign to Take Place Companywide at Over 160 Stores and Fuel Centers SpartanNash Healthy Athlete, Ben Dornoff, to Sign Autographs in Michigan Stores

Grand Rapids, Mich., April 8, 2016 — On April 27, 2016, SpartanNash is launching a companywide fundraising campaign for Special Olympics programs where corporate-owned retail stores are located. The scan will run through May 8, 2016. Over 160 stores and fuel centers in 9 states will partner with 9 Special Olympics state affiliates and regional chapters.

SpartanNash is the fifth largest food distributor in the United States, and the leading distributor to U.S. military commissaries and exchanges in the world. The company was formed in November of 2013 when Michigan-based Spartan Stores merged with -based Nash Finch. Both companies have a long history of supporting Special Olympics in Michigan and . This partnership expands support to the communities served in 7 additional states. Spartan Stores (now SpartanNash) has been the Presenting Sponsor of the Michigan Special Olympics Summer Games for 31 years. Nash Finch began sponsoring the Minnesota Summer Games in 2003. In 2014, Special Olympics Minnesota awarded SpartanNash their Outstanding Business/Corporate award. Each year, athletes at the Summer Games experience inclusion, acceptance, dignity, respect and joy throughout the entire weekend of events.

In Michigan, 118 D&W Fresh Markets, , Forest Hills Foods, Valu Lands, VG’s, and fuel centers will participate, and store customers will have the opportunity to donate $1, $5 or $10 to Special Olympics Michigan via any checkout lane. When customers make a donation, they will receive four coupons toward Spartan® brand products. Stores will hold additional fundraising activities during the 12-day fundraiser. One hundred percent of donations raised will benefit Special Olympics Michigan athletes.

In addition to the more than $8.6 million in financial support given to date, SpartanNash also volunteers at the State Summer Games and helps make this inspirational event a reality for the more than 2,600 athletes who compete in Michigan alone. The company also provides, cooks and serves food for Special Olympics Michigan staff, volunteers, coaches and athletes.

“We are honored and thankful to have partnered with SpartanNash for more than 30 years,” said Lois Arnold, Special Olympics Michigan President and CEO. “The impact that SpartanNash and its employees have had on our athletes’ lives is immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for their continued support.”

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SpartanNash Foundation Scan for Special Olympics Ad 1

“It is our privilege to have partnered with Special Olympics in Michigan and Minnesota for years, and we are so excited to expand this partnership throughout our corporate retail stores in seven additional states,” notes Meredith Gremel, Executive Director of the SpartanNash Foundation and VP, Corporate Affairs and Communications for SpartanNash. “Diversity and inclusion are part of who we are, whether we are working along those with physical and mental challenges, cheering them on at the games, or providing funding and resources for the athletes throughout the year. Our customers have been tremendously generous in joining our support, and we are most thankful for their contributions.”

Each year, SpartanNash also presents a “SpartanNash Healthy Athlete of the Year” award to a Special Olympics Michigan athlete who exemplifies a healthy lifestyle and the Special Olympics Oath—“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” The athlete must strive for wellness, a balance of the mind, body and spirit. The athlete should eat a well-balanced diet and dedicate time to exercise outside Special Olympics training and competitions. Each year athletes from around the state are nominated.

The 2016 SpartanNash Michigan Healthy Athlete is Ben Dornoff. He will be featured on the packaging of bottles of Spartan® brand water during the month of May. The specially-designed bottles will be on store shelves at locations throughout Michigan.

Ben will visit the following stores to sign autographs, talk with media and meet customers:

 Friday, April 29, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. – Family Fare, 4144 US 31 South, Traverse City, MI  Saturday, April 30, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. – Family Fare, 905 E. 8th Street, Traverse City, MI  Sunday, May 1, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – Family Fare, 1002 Forest Avenue, Frankfort, MI  Friday, May 6, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. – Family Fare, 211 S. Division, Bellaire, MI  Friday, April 29, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Family Fare, 619 N. Williams, Mancelona, MI

While at the stores, Ben will be autographing personalized trading cards created by SpartanNash, which contain information about his personal and athletic achievements.

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Participating Michigan store banners:  D&W Fresh Market  Valu Land  Family Fare  VG’s  Forest Hills Foods

For a complete list of locations and communities served through this companywide partnership, visit: https://www.spartannash.com/SpecialOlypmics.

About the SpartanNash Foundation The SpartanNash Foundation was formed following the merger of the Nash Finch Company and Spartan Stores. It represents the best of the NFC Foundation and the Spartan Stores Foundation. The SpartanNash Foundation is the charitable giving arm of SpartanNash and is focused on providing grants to nonprofit community partners who are working to end hunger, provide shelter and support our military heroes. To learn more about the SpartanNash Foundation, visit https://www.spartannash.com/corp-responsibility/foundation/.

About SpartanNash SpartanNash (SPTN) is a Fortune 400 company and the largest food distributor serving U.S. military commissaries and exchanges in the world, in terms of revenue. The Company's core businesses include distributing food to military commissaries and exchanges and independent and corporate-owned retail stores located in 46 states and the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Bahrain and Egypt. SpartanNash currently operates 160 supermarkets, primarily under the banners of Family Fare Supermarkets, Family Fresh Markets, D&W Fresh Markets, , and SunMart.

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