A division of the LP News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local grocers return to New Westminster Team celebrates their roots as they return to the community where their first store opened in 1915

(New Westminster, BC, July 15, 2009): Residents of New Westminster who have been eagerly anticipating the opening of their new Save-On-Foods store located at Westminster Centre have a lot to be excited about. The doors officially opened today for this Save-On-Foods location, which proudly offers the world-class customer service and broad lineup of products and services that Save-On-Foods is famous for.

As part of the Overwaitea Food Group (OFG), which got its start nearly a century ago as a single in New Westminster, this grand opening celebration marks a proud homecoming for the company, which has long celebrated local roots in BC.

“We’re proud to welcome Save-On-Foods home to New Westminster,” said New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright. “The new store will be an important addition to our bustling uptown business district and we’re very pleased to hear of Westminster Centre Save-On-Foods’ plans for working with schools and local organizations for the benefit of the entire community.”

Save-On-Foods Store Manager Paul Cope and his team of nearly 130 were on hand to celebrate with OFG President, Steve van der Leest, owner and Mayor Wright to mark the occasion and welcome residents of New Westminster to their new Save-On-Foods store.

“It’s very exciting for us to once again be part of the New Westminster community,” said OFG President Steve van der Leest. “We were lucky enough to get our start here more than 94 years ago and we’re excited to celebrate our homecoming to New Westminster by bringing something new and fresh to customers in the city.”

“We know that customers today are looking for solutions,” explains Save-On-Foods Store Manager Paul Cope. “Over the years, we’ve gained a reputation for delivering innovative value- added products and services like Nutrition Tours, food and health solutions, organic foods and pharmacy services that make shopping and mealtimes easier for busy families.”

Customers can stop by Save-On-Foods’ full service deli on their way home from work and pick up a fully-prepared meal for the cost of a home cooked dinner. The bakery department makes it easy to put the finishing touches on dinner with an impressive selection of delicious breads and baked goods, all trans fat free and made fresh daily. “Saving money and time is important to everyone,” adds Cope. “Our customers appreciate that they can count on us for everything they want in a full service grocery store, and that includes a great product lineup at exceptional prices.”

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main office mail address: Box 7200, , BC, V6B 4E4 street address: 19855 – 92A Avenue, Langley, BC, Canada V1M 3B6 telephone: 604-888-2079 website: saveonfoods.com

A division of the Overwaitea Food Group LP

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The team at the Westminster Centre Save-On-Foods already has plans in place to work with local schools, sports teams and community organizations throughout the year. The store also supports the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Snack program in partnership with BC Agriculture in the Classroom Foundation and the provincial government’s ActNow BC initiative to teach children about the benefits of eating more local fruits and vegetables. Nearly 750,000 BC students from kindergarten through Grade 12 currently participate in this program.

“We’re very excited to support the BC School Fruit and Vegetable Snack program by bringing in fresh, local fruits and vegetables to the students at 6 local area Elementary schools,” says Cope. “This program is a win for everyone – our local growers, our schools and, most importantly, our kids. We’re excited to be a part of it, along with other OFG stores throughout the province.”

Overwaitea Food Group was recently recognized as one of BC Hydro’s 2009 Power Smart Leaders. This Save-On-Foods location incorporates a variety of Power Smart energy saving technologies designed to help reduce consumption. The store features energy efficient freezer doors, timed bakery ovens, a heat recovery and reclaim system and a building automation system that adjusts lighting, heating and air conditioning as needed. And as part of their long- standing commitment to environmental sustainability, Save-On-Foods is working with SeaChoice and the David Suzuki Foundation to bring customers more sustainable seafood options.

The Overwaitea Food Group (OFG) is a leading retail grocery chain in and . OFG currently operates 119 stores under the Save-On-Foods, , Cooper’s Foods, , PriceSmart Foods and Bulkley Valley Wholesale banners and employs nearly 16,000 team members in BC and Alberta

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For more information, contact: Overwaitea Food Group Media Relations (604) 888-2079, ext 2200 [email protected]

main office mail address: Box 7200, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 4E4 street address: 19855 – 92A Avenue, Langley, BC, Canada V1M 3B6 telephone: 604-888-2079 website: saveonfoods.com