(Virginia Beach, VA) Dr. Charles Quillin, State Chair of the Virginia Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, an agency of the Department of Defense, announced that Mr. Ron Dennis, Farm Fresh Supermarket President and CEO, signed a Statement of Support for the National Guard and Reserve on Wednesday, April 23, 2008. The signing ceremony took place at the Farm Fresh Store in the Haygood Shopping Center in Virginia Beach. On hand for the signing ceremony was the Honorable Meyera Oberndorf, Mayor of Virginia Beach, a long time supporter of the Guard and Reserve; COL Tom Stephen, Executive Director, Virginia Committee, ESGR; CAPT Fred Berck, Chairman, Tidewater Committee; Mr. Mark Motsenbocker, VP Human Resources, Farm Fresh; Ms. Susan Mayo, VP Consumer Affairs and Public Relations, Farm Fresh; AZ2 Bishop, Navy Reservist and Farm Fresh employee; CDR Bob Holmes, CDR, USNR, Virginia Committee Marketing and Public Affairs Chair; Randall Phelps, Tidewater Committee member; COL Rick Turner, USAFR Virginia Air National Guard; Roger Oberndorf, CAPT, USCGR, Ret. and Doyle Quisenberry, CDR, USNR Ret. COL Tom Stephen presided over the ceremony.

The Statement of Support confirms that Farm Fresh joins other employers in pledging that:

• We fully recognize, honor and enforce the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act (USERRA).

• Our managers and supervisors will have the tools they need to effectively manage those employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

• We will continually recognize and support our country’s service members and their families in peace, in crises and in war.

Today, supportive employers are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation’s National Guard and Reserve units. I am asking all Virginia employers to review and amend their current human resources policies to ensure compliance with the Uniformed Services Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act Law (USERRA),” Commented COL Stephen. “Many Virginia employers provide ‘Above and Beyond’ support with pay differential to offset the loss of wages, and extension of health care benefits, which complement coverage provided by the military, when their employees are mobilized.

When asked about the criteria, COL Stephen said “By meeting the Statement of Support criteria, Farm Fresh will stand proudly with its Guard and Reserve employees, who continue to answer their nation’s call to defend our way of life. Their personal sacrifices are essential to the strength of our nation”.

In recognizing the importance of supporting the Guard and Reserve, Mr. Dennis stated that he is privileged and proud to sign a statement of support reflecting his support for our men and women in uniform. A copy of this statement will be displayed in all of our forty eight store locations.

“Mr. Dennis joins a cadre of Fortune 500 companies, state and federal agencies and thousands of America’s employers in demonstrating support for our armed forces,” added COL Stephen. “By signing the Statement of Support, Mr. Dennis is sending a clear message to the employees of Farm Fresh that while they are serving their country they do not have to worry about their civilian jobs.”

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) is a Department of Defense agency established in 1972. The mission of ESGR is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law, and resolving conflicts through mediation. ESGR volunteers provide free education, consultation, and if necessary mediation for employers of Guard and Reserve employees.

As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions that require extraordinary actions on the part of everyday citizens, ESGR will continue to be the informational agency for the employers of citizen warriors. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil.