Loblaw Companies Limited Named Official Grocery Retailer and Premier Partner of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2013 /CNW/ - Canada's largest food retailer, Loblaw Companies Limited, and TO2015 are joining forces to provide fresh, tasty and nutritious food choices for athletes and volunteers at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games.

"Supporting the nutritional health and performance of the almost 7,500 athletes attending the Games as well as the 20,000 volunteers is an extension of our consumer purpose to help Canadians Live Life Well," said Uwe Stueckmann, senior vice-president, marketing, Loblaw Companies Limited.

"At Loblaw we strive to be the number one nutrition and health destination for the more than 14 million Canadians who shop at our stores every week, and are excited to do our part in helping athletes at the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games reach their full potential," he continued.

The partnership was announced today at the Loblaws^® store at Maple Leaf Gardens* with the help of Canadian athletes: David Eng, three-time Paralympian and winner of two gold medals and a silver in wheelchair basketball; two-time Pan Am silver medallist and world champion hurdler Perdita Felicien; Mark Oldershaw, Olympic bronze medallist and seven-time World Cup gold medallist in canoe (sprint); and Lanni Marchant, marathon runner and new Canadian record holder.

"As Canada's largest grocery retailer, Loblaw is a perfect fit for the TORONTO 2015 Games," explained Ian Troop, chief executive officer of the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015). "Along with its national reputation for providing consumers with high-quality, affordably priced nutritious food choices, the company also has deep roots in our communities and is committed to making them better places to live.

"Our vision for the 'People's Games' is similar: we want to bring people together, make our communities stronger and encourage Ontarians of all ages, especially our youth, to lead healthy, active lives," Troop added.

Loblaw offers one of Canada's largest assortments of fresh offerings and food products along with a wide range of services to empower Canadians to make healthier choices and support them on their journey to a healthier lifestyle.

Launched in 2005 and offering more than 400 products, the PC® Blue Menu® product line offers customers a healthier alternative to some of their favourite meals and snacks. In select stores, pharmacists and dietitians are available to answer health questions and provide helpful tips and Guiding Stars®, an impartial nutrition navigation system providing nutritional ratings at a glance on-shelf to help customers make healthier choices.

In Ontario, Loblaw banner stores include Loblaws®, Real Canadian Superstore®, Zehrs Markets®, nofrills®, Your Independent Grocer®, valu-mart® and Fortinos®.

Loblaw joins previously announced members of the TORONTO 2015 sponsor family, including Lead Partner CIBC, Premier Partners Chevrolet Canada and CISCO, Opening Ceremony Creative Partner Cirque du Soleil, as well as Official Suppliers Beanfield Metroconnect, FUSE Marketing Group, McKesson Canada, Pattison Outdoor Advertising, the Royal Canadian Mint, Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Toronto Star, and Official Broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada.

*Reg'd TM. Lic'd use.

About Loblaw Companies LimitedTSX:L
Loblaw Companies Limited, a subsidiary of George Weston Limited, is Canada's largest food retailer.  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 134,000 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 and PC Plus™ loyalty program.

About TO2015
The TORONTO 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee (TO2015) is tasked with the responsibility of planning, managing and delivering the Games. Its mission is to ignite the spirit through a celebration of sport and culture. The TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14.

The 2015 Games are funded by the Government of Canada, the Province of Ontario, as well as other partners and sponsors. CIBC is the Lead Partner of the Games.

For more information about the Games, please visit TORONTO2015.org.

SOURCE: Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games

Teddy Katz
Director, media relations and chief spokesperson, TO2015
416.957.2117
[email protected]