Carlisle, PA - This October, Giant Food Stores across Pennsylvania are going pink in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to an estimate by the American Cancer Society, more than 200,000 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in 2007. Today Giant announced that it will donate five cents of every reusable bag sold in Pennsylvania throughout the month of October to the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition (PBCC). The PBCC is a statewide non-profit organization that represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants.

"No woman with breast cancer should be denied treatment - regardless of their income or insurance situation," said Pat Halpin-Murphy, PBCC president and founder. "The PBCC was instrumental in getting this coverage, but we need your help to spread the word to all women. That's why we are grateful to Giant Food Stores for working with us on this effort."

Giant also announced a chain-wide promotion that features grocery, general merchandise, pharmacy, bakery and floral products carrying the pink ribbon banner. Each Giant will have a designated area "painted pink" so that customers can locate these products more easily. As part of the promotion, $30,000 will be donated by General Mills and Giant to regional Susan G. Komen for the Cure chapters across Giant's four-state operating area. An additional $10,000 will be donated by Pepperidge Farms and $10,000 by Daymon Worldwide and Giant to regional Komen for the Cure chapters.

"October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and since 80 percent of our shoppers are women, we felt it was a perfect time and setting to raise awareness and hope about an issue important to so many women," said Tracy Pawelski, Director of Public and Community Relations, Giant Food Stores.

"Raising awareness is a vital first step in battling breast cancer," said Laura Raether, Promotion Marketing Director at General Mills. "By featuring General Mills brands with pink packaging, Giant is helping us give consumers information about a disease that has touched so many lives."

In-Store Information and Events

In addition to raising funds through the sale of reusable grocery bags and making donations to breast cancer organizations, Giant will be initiating several education and awareness initiatives. Giant pharmacists will distribute a variety of informational materials about breast cancer, including the American Cancer Society "Five Things to Tell Your Friends About Breast Cancer" and "Three Steps to Finding Breast Cancer Early" brochures, and a breast self-examination check card.

Giant's Camp Hill and Willow Grove stores will offer special programming. On Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Camp Hill store, Giant will host "Giant Day for Women," featuring cooking demonstrations, blood pressure screenings, heart and stroke assessments, chair massages and a preview of the latest in health and beauty care products. The Willow Grove Giant will host a similar program for women on Saturday, October 11 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. These events are free to the public.

The Cooking School at Giant will host a "pink" cooking class in October as well. The Camp Hill Cooking School will host WHTM-TV's Flora Posteraro as a celebrity chef on Monday, October 6 at 6:00 p.m. On Monday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m., a "pink" cooking class will be held at the Willow Grove Giant. Customers can register for classes by calling the store.

About Giant Food Stores

Giant Food Stores, LLC, one of the leading supermarket operations in the U.S., currently operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the names of Giant Food Stores, Martin's Food Markets and Foodsource. As a company, Giant is proud to work with hundreds of local organizations in the communities it serves and has a long-standing commitment to eradicate hunger and improve the quality of life for children. For more information about Giant Food Stores, visit www.GiantFoodStores.com.

About the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition

The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition represents, supports and serves breast cancer survivors and their families in Pennsylvania through educational programming, legislative advocacy and breast cancer research grants. To learn more about the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, please visit www.pabreastcancer.org or call 1-800-377-8828.

About General Mills

One of the world's leading food companies, General Mills operates in over 100 countries and markets more than 100 consumer brands, including Cheerios, Haagen-Dazs, Nature Valley, Betty Crocker, Pillsbury, Green Giant, Old El Paso, Progresso, Cascadian Farm, Muir Glen, and more. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.A., General Mills had FY2008 global net sales of US$ 14.9 billion, including the company's $1.2 billion proportionate share of joint venture net sales. The company supports Pink Together, an awareness campaign dedicated to spreading support and hope to those touched by breast cancer. Learn more at www.pinktogether.com.