Customers Can Follow Personalized Guidelines While Shopping

Carlisle, PA

In conjunction with the unveiling of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's new MyPyramid symbol and interactive food guidance system earlier today, Giant Food Stores, in conjunction with its own Healthy Ideas program, wants to make following the new guidelines easier for customers while they shop.

The guidelines are designed to help Americans live longer, better and healthier lives through an overall food guidance system focused on a more individualized approach to improving lifestyle and diet.

"Giant launched Healthy Ideas over a year ago with a specific focus on supporting our customer's desires to live healthier lifestyles," stated Denny Hopkins, vice president of advertising and public relations.

"We are very excited to have Healthy Ideas in place and ready to support this new program while helping to educate customers about the new guidelines and easy to use graphics created for MyPyramid."

While shopping at Giant customers will be able to look for a variety of information supporting the new MyPyramid program.

Elements to support the program will include a variety of graphics that will help to call out the various food groups within the pyramid.

The in-store program will include:

· A MyPyramid brochure full of information on the new guidelines along with a family menu and planning guide.

· MyPyramid signage displaying the new graphic along with a descriptive explanation.

· Stanchion signs in perishable departments, including meat, produce and seafood calling out products that match the MyPyramid specifications.

For example, whole grain breads in the bakery. Signs will also include a new MyPyramid brochure.

· Product markers in non-Perishable departments for foods that fit the different MyPyramid categories, such as canned fruits.

· Giant Tips will be found throughout the store giving customers ideas on how to easily follow the guidelines, such as adding berries to a bowl of cereal every morning.

In addition, customers can log onto www.GiantFoodStores.com and click on Healthy Ideas for a link directly to the MyPyramid website along with nutritional and dietary information that provides choices for leading a healthier lifestyle.

The site also provides links to a variety of websites with added information on diet, nutrition and exercise.

As the program evolves, Giant will continue to support MyPyramid through Healthy Ideas with a variety of new components it will introduce over the next few months.

Customers should check their local Giant store and the Giant website frequently for additional information.

Giant Food Stores, LLC, headquartered in Carlisle, PA is one of four retail operating companies under Ahold USA, one of the leading supermarket operations in the US.

Giant currently operates 99 stores as Giant Food Stores, 156 stores as Tops Markets, 20 stores as Martin's Food Markets along with a 202 convenience store chain.

With nearly 40,000 associates Giant serves a six state market area. For more information about Giant Food Stores, visit the company's website at www.giantpa.com.