Local Farmers, California Dept. of Food and Agriculture and Safeway Urge Buying Local Produce to Boost California`s Economy

--(Business Wire)--
Safeway Inc.:

WHAT: As summertime fruits and vegetables head to market, Northern California-based Safeway Inc., Undersecretary of California Food and Agriculture Will Brown and representatives from some of the most respected farms in the region will distribute samples of locally grown produce to urge consumers to buy local produce and support the local and state economy.

Sourcing and buying locally ensures the vitality of California`s farms, which translates into economic opportunities and development for a broad range of related businesses in California`s agriculture-rich communities. Agriculture accounts for 1.1 million jobs and more than $60 billion in personal income. Purchasing locally also helps the environment by limiting the number of miles that the produce travels from farm to store, thus decreasing the carbon footprint of the product.

Safeway recently launched a company-wide "Locally Grown" initiative in which the company will buy first from key local growers and California growers. Nearly 45 percent of all produce sold in Safeway`s California stores is sourced in the state.

WHO: ● Undersecretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Will Brown
● California Grocers Association President and CEO Ron Fong
● Jopson Ranch President and CEO Tom Jopson
● G&S Farms owner Glenn Stonebarger
● Ratto Brothers Produce Owner and VP Frank Ratto
● Blossom Hill of Patterson representative Jim Luchich
● M&R Company representative Andrew Lusk
● Safeway Vice President Rick Pickering

WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 11 a.m.

WHERE: Safeway Natomas Store
2851 Del Paso, Sacramento, Calif., 95835

Additional Event Details: Continuing its longstanding practice of supporting
local nonprofit organizations in communities in which it operates, Safeway will
present a $5,000 donation to the UC Davis "Dining with Diabetes" program, which
teaches families of children with diabetes how to make healthy food choices.

Safeway Public Affairs,
Teena Massingill, 925-467-3810

Copyright Business Wire 2009