Loblaw hosts an oceans-to-plate debate with Alexandra Cousteau

Event to be held in Montreal, Quebec

Grocery retailer committed to selling only sustainable seafood products by end of 2013

BRAMPTON, ON, Sept. 7, 2012 /CNW/ - Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw), the country's largest buyer and seller of seafood - together with Alexandra Cousteau, National Geographic Emerging Explorer, filmmaker and granddaughter of Jacques Cousteau - join sustainable seafood advocates/leaders from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), WWF and high school students for a lively debate on the issues facing our oceans today and some of the possible solutions.

What:	A special event to kick-off a national "Oceans for Tomorrow" in-store campaign in select Loblaw banner stores across the country to raise consumer awareness for sustainable seafood. Moderated by well-known television host, reporter, producer, and environmentalist K (Karine Lanoie-Brien), four defenders of the ocean come together to answer: What is the next priority in the fight for sustainable seafood? Whose responsibility is it?
Why:	As the world population grows so does the demand for seafood. With rising demand comes a larger toll on fish stocks and on marine life as a whole. There has been such a decline in the amount of fish in our ocean that one third of the world's commercial fisheries have collapsed. Research shows it's not too late but to reverse the damage we have to make changes now.
	Loblaw is aware of the stakes working with worldwide conservation organizations to encourage responsible fishing methods and implementing consumer events to help drive awareness and education.
	In 2009, Loblaw made a commitment to sell only sustainable seafood products by the end of 2013; visit www.oceansfortomorrow.ca.
Who:	Alexandra Cousteau, National Geographic Emerging Explorer
	Alexandra Cousteau is a member of one of the world's most famous environmental dynasties. Her family has been exploring and explaining the wonders of the natural world for three generations.
	Nicolas Guichoux, Regional Director, Europe, MSC
	The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) is an international non-profit organization set up to help transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis. www.msc.org
	Marie-Claude Lemieux, Regional Director, Quebec, WWF
	WWF-Canada is committed to the transition to 'sustainable seafood', smart oceans management, and sustainable ocean economies to ensure that all three of Canada's oceans-Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic-remain ecologically rich and economically prosperous. www.wwf.ca
	Melanie Agopian, Sr. Director, Seafood Sustainability, Loblaw Companies Limited
	Loblaw banner stores are the grocery destination to learn about and buy sustainable seafood. www.oceansfortomorrow.ca.
When:	September 11, 2012                      9:45 a.m. - Media registration 10:00 a.m. - Panel discussion and Q&A with high school students 10:50 a.m. - Media interview opportunities 11:30 a.m. - Customer meet and greet with Alexandra Cousteau
Where:	Loblaws^®, Angus President's Choice Cooking School 2925 Rachel St E, Montréal

About Loblaw Companies LimitedTSX: L
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer and a leading provider of drugstore, general merchandise and financial products and services. Loblaw is one of the largest private sector employers in Canada. With more than 1,000 corporate and franchised stores from coast to coast, Loblaw and its franchisees employ more than 135,000 full-time and part-time employees. Through its portfolio of store formats, Loblaw is committed to providing Canadians with a wide, growing and successful range of products and services to meet the everyday household demands of Canadian consumers. Loblaw is known for the quality, innovation and value of its food offering. It offers Canada's strongest control (private) label program, including the unique President's Choice^®, no name^® and Joe Fresh^® brands. In addition, the Company makes available to consumers President's Choice Financial^® services and offers the PC^® points loyalty program.

More information about Loblaw CSR strategies and performance along with the Company's sustainable seafood commitment can be found online at www.loblaw.ca/csr, www.loblaw.ca/seafood and www.oceansfortomorrow.ca.

Loblaw banner stores include: Loblaws^®, Loblaw Great Food™,Zehrs^®, Zehrs Great Food™, Fortinos^®, Real Canadian Superstore^®, nofrills^®, valumart^®, Your Independent Grocer^™, Atlantic Superstore^®, Dominion^® (in Newfoundland and Labrador), SaveEasy^®, Provigo^MD, Maxi^MD, Maxi&Cie^MD, Extra Foods^® and more.

 

 

SOURCE: Loblaw Companies Limited

If you would like to attend, arrange interviews or require additional information please contact:

Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Miriam Sherkey
[email protected] / 416-413-4732

Loblaw Companies Limited
[email protected] / 905 459 2500