Grammy-nominated R&B Artist Musiq Soulchild takes the stage, Performance by Cast of Award-Winning Play, “Black Nativity”
(Itasca, IL) January 13, 2009—JEWEL-OSCO, a leading Midwest food and drug retailer, and Coca-Cola, in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Washburne Culinary Institute, will celebrate Black History Month at the 10th Annual “A Taste of Black History” Kick-Off Reception. The ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m., on January 27, at the South Shore Cultural Center, located at 7059 S. South Shore Drive, in Chicago.

NBC 5 Anchorman Warner Saunders will serve as master-of-ceremonies for the program, which will feature a special guest appearance by Grammy-nominated R&B Artist, Musiq Soulchild, as well as an interpretive performance by the cast of the award-winning play, “Black Nativity.”

JEWEL-OSCO will award more than $40,000 in grants and scholarships to the following organizations for their outstanding work in the community:
Blacks in Green
DuSable Museum
Faith Community of St. Sabina
Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention (ILAACP)
Real Men Cook
The Links, Inc.
Washburne Culinary Institute

“Each year, we take this opportunity to honor our African-American vendors and local community groups for their outstanding work,” said JEWEL-OSCO President Keith Nielsen. “Our partnership with the Washburne Culinary Institute this year marks another step forward in the evolution of this cultural celebration.”

At the event, guests will have an opportunity to taste and experience more than 20 soul-stirring dishes, prepared by students from the Washburne Culinary Institute, which is the oldest culinary school in the country and part of the City Colleges of Chicago. The dishes will be prepared using products from more than 25 JEWEL-OSCO African-American vendors. Program participants will also have an opportunity to win raffle prizes.

During the event, JEWEL-OSCO will present the following awards to three of its exceptional African-American vendors:

Vendor Innovation – Amy Hilliard – The ComfortCake Company
Vendor Legacy – John Clark – Reggio’s Pizza
Brand Ambassador – Calvita Frederick-Sowell – Magnolia Spice Teas

Coca-Cola is a proud co-sponsor of the event.

“Coca-Cola has partnered with JEWEL-OSCO for the past five years, to help honor the outstanding achievements of African-Americans during this very special month,” said Coca-Cola Community Relations Manager Anthony Taylor. “We are pleased to be here again to pay tribute to those who have given of their time and talents so unselfishly. On behalf of Coca-Cola, we say congratulations.”

During the month of February, JEWEL-OSCO will also conduct in-store celebrations and tastings every Thursday and Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at select stores throughout the Chicagoland area. The times and locations are as follows:

Thursday, February 5, 2009
1655 E. 95th St.
4pm-8pm

Friday, February 6, 2009
800 W. North (Melrose Park, IL)
4pm-8pm

Saturday, February 7, 2009
6057 S. Western
11am-3pm

Sunday, February 8, 2009
9400 S. Ashland
11am-3pm

Thursday, February 12, 2009
126 E. Boughton
4pm-8pm

Friday, February 13, 2009
2500 Lincoln Hwy
4pm-8pm

Saturday, February 14, 2009
1220 S. Ashland
11am-3pm

Sunday, February 15, 2009
443 E. 34th St.
11am-3pm

Thursday, February 19, 2009
3153 W. 183rd St. (Homewood, IL)
4pm-8pm

Friday, February 20, 2009
87 W. 87th St.
4pm-8pm

Saturday, February 21, 2009    
11414 S. Halsted
11am-3pm

Sunday, February 22, 2009
7530 S. Stony Island
11am-3pm

Thursday, February 26, 2009
1537 N. Larkin (Joliet, IL)
4pm-8pm

Friday, February 27, 2009
438 W. Madison
4pm-8pm

Saturday, February 28, 2009
7910 S. Cicero
11am-3pm

Sunday, March 1, 2009
1655 E. 95th St.
11am-3pm

ABOUT JEWEL-OSCO
JEWEL-OSCO, a SUPERVALU company, operates 186 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. With a market-leading position in Chicago, JEWEL-OSCO stores offer consumers the convenience of combined grocery and pharmacy retail, in addition to services such as fuel centers at select locations. Originally established in 1899, the company and its associates remain committed to the communities they serve, contributing more than $4 million each year to a variety of local charitable causes. For more information about JEWEL-OSCO, please visit www.jewelosco.com or www.oscopharmacy.com.

About SUPERVALU Inc.
SUPERVALU INC. is one of the largest companies in the United States grocery channel with estimated annual sales of $45 billion. SUPERVALU holds leading market share positions across the U.S. with approximately 2,500 retail grocery locations, including nearly 920 in-store pharmacies. Through SUPERVALU's nationwide supply chain network, the company provides distribution and related logistics support services to more than 5,000 grocery endpoints across the country. SUPERVALU currently has approximately 190,000 employees. For more information about SUPERVALU, visit http://www.supervalu.com.

About Coca-Cola
The Coca-Cola Company is the world’s largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 450 sparkling and still brands. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, the Company’s portfolio includes 12 other billion-dollar brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid and Georgia Coffee. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, juices and juice drinks and ready-to-drink teas and coffees. Through the world’s largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company’s beverages at a rate of 1.5 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. For more information about our Company, please visit our Web site at http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com.