PLEASANTON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 6, 2007--Safeway Inc. (NYSE:SWY) announced today the names of schools selected as finalists to compete for a $22,000 grand prize as part of the Lucerne(R) The Art of Dairy(TM) "Cows & History" Art Contest. The program, started in 2006, involves thousands of students and classrooms from across the country to participate in a special educational instruction to promote artistic creativity, academic excellence and healthy lifestyles.

"Safeway is proud to once again sponsor this contest which promotes education and the arts in schools throughout the country," said Safeway Executive Vice President Larree Renda. "This unique program promotes innovation and creativity and provides a unique opportunity to educate students about agriculture, history, the arts and healthy eating."

Using cows as the focal point to promote dairy products as healthy snack alternatives for kids, Safeway, the maker of Lucerne(R) dairy products, asked students ages 12 to 18 to submit designs based on the theme "Cows & History" using an outline of a cow as the canvas. Entries were accepted from October 16, 2006 to December 1, 2006. More than 9,000 middle school and high school students from as far away as Alaska and Hawaii submitted entries.

The 30 finalists will now transfer their designs to life-sized ceramic cow sculptures in the final phase of the competition. The grand prize winner will receive $20,000 for their school's art department, plus $1,000 each for the winner and their art teacher.

The completed decorated cows will be on display at a Safeway or Safeway-owned store near the finalists' schools the last two weeks of April. During this time a panel of judges will review the entries to pick a winner of the grand prize. The grand prize winner will be announced at the end of April.

A special website, located at www.safeway.comlucerne has been created that showcases past winners and includes healthy recipes and program and contest information. Attached is a list of the finalists representing 11 states and 29 schools throughout the country.

Safeway has long recognized the critically important role that education plays in building strong communities and ensuring their future growth. Since 2000 Safeway has donated more than $130 million -- $22 million in 2006 -- to support education and schools through its eScrip program and other education initiatives. The eScrip program allows shoppers to raise money for schools simply by making purchases. Safeway donates a percentage of each shopping trip directly to their chosen school.

ABOUT SAFEWAY

Safeway Inc. is a Fortune 50 company and one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, based on sales. The company operates 1,761 stores in the United States and western Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006. Safeway supports a broad range of charitable and community programs and last year donated more than $157 million to important causes, such as cancer research, education, food banks and programs focused on assisting people with disabilities. The company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SWY.

Lucerne(R) "The Art of Dairy"(TM) Contest Finalists

Arizona

Gilbert High School - Gilbert, AZ
Red Mountain High School - Mesa, AZ

California

Castro Valley High School - Castro Valley, CA Cupertino High School - Cupertino, CA (two finalists) George Washington High School - San Francisco, CA Santa Clara High School - Santa Clara, CA South East High School - South Gate, CA Carbon Canyon Christian School - Brea, CA Rancho Cucamonga High School - Rancho Cucamonga, CA Baldwin Park High School - Baldwin Park, CA Mayfair High School - Cypress, CA Redlands East Valley High School - Redlands, CA

Colorado

Heritage High School - Littleton, CO
Cheyenne Mountain High School - Colorado Springs, CO Fountain Fort Carson High School - Fountain, CO

Idaho

Post Falls High School - Post Falls, ID

Illinois

Glenbard South High School - Glen Ellyn, IL Roberto Clemente Community Academy High School - Chicago, IL

Maryland

Notre Dame Preparatory - Towson, MD

New Jersey

Cherry Hill High School East - Cherry Hill, NJ

Oregon

McNary High School - Keizer, OR

Pennsylvania

Upper Darby High School - Drexel Hill, PA

Texas

Keller High School - Keller, TX
Clements High School - Sugar Land, TX
Grace Prep Academy - Arlington, TX

Washington

Sammamish High School - Bellevue, WA
Inglemoor High School - Kenmore, WA
Lake Washington High School - Kirkland, WA Pleasant Valley Middle School - Vancouver, WA *T

Copyright Business Wire 2007

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies

Albertsons Companies is a leading food and drug retailer in the United States. As of February 26, 2022, the Company operated 2,276 retail stores with 1,722 pharmacies, 402 associated fuel centers, 22 dedicated distribution centers and 20 manufacturing facilities. The Company operates stores across 34 states and the District of Columbia with 24 banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, Pavilions, Star Market, Haggen, Carrs, Kings Food Markets and Balducci's Food Lovers Market. The Company is committed to helping people across the country live better lives by making a meaningful difference, neighborhood by neighborhood. In 2021, along with the Albertsons Companies Foundation, the Company contributed nearly $200 million in food and financial support, including approximately $40 million through our Nourishing Neighbors Program to ensure those living in our communities have enough to eat.

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