NORWALK, Conn., Jan. 22, 2009 – FORTUNE magazine released its "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for 2009 today, and family owned and operated fresh food grocer Stew Leonard's has once again earned a spot on this prestigious ranking, coming in No. 53. Stew Leonard’s was also ranked No. 20 among other small companies on the list, and No. 13 for best benefits.

"I feel like we've been invited to the Super Bowl," said Stew Leonard, Jr., President and CEO of Stew Leonard's. "I couldn't be happier or more proud of our team members. To be among other great companies, including other food retailers such as Wegmans and Nugget Markets, is such an honor."

Stew Leonard's has an adage: "You can't have a great place to shop without first making it a great place to work." While the economy has been on everyone's minds, CEO Stew Leonard, Jr. took proactive and positive measures to reassure team members that their jobs were secure.

"In the 40 years that we have been in business we have never had a layoff, nor do we ever foresee having one," Stew Leonard, Jr. told team members during meetings held at every store this fall. "By continuing to focus on customer service, while supporting our top selling items with great displays and demos, we can keep our business strong."

While many companies were forced to make difficult cutbacks this year, Stew Leonard's has not passed on to team members any increased costs for medical coverage, nor has the company curbed other activities that have made it a great place to work – including the active involvement Stew's has in the community, along with their extensive team member recognition and appreciation programs.

In celebration of the eight years Stew Leonard's has been included on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, here are the top eight reasons why Stew Leonard's is a great place to work:

• Stew Leonard's has not had a lay-off in 40 years. There is a lot of loyalty among team members, with 10 percent of the company's workforce having been at the company for 15 years or more. In fact, more than 100 team members have more than 20 years of service.
• We "grow our own": 81 percent of the management team has been promoted from within the company.
• Free medical coverage for full-time hourly team members, and other great benefits such tuition reimbursement, profit sharing and a moms program where moms only work while their children are in school. Stew Leonard's was ranked No. 13 on the FORTUNE "Best Companies to Work For" list for having the best benefits.
• Giving back to the community is at our foundation. In addition to the daily food donations we make to organizations, team members mentor students, conduct book readings at local schools and serve on the boards of organizations like the American Heart Association and Red Cross.
• We are not only a family business, but a business of families. Twenty eight percent of our team members have a family member working at the store. One family at Stew Leonard's has 21 members (including cousins, spouses, children and in-laws) working in our Norwalk store alone.
• Education and developing team members is a top priority. In addition to Stew Leonard's internal training programs and tuition reimbursement, team members graduating high school can apply for college scholarships. Since 1999, Stew Leonard's has awarded nearly $500,000 in scholarships.
• Team members are recognized and appreciated for their contributions. Each department holds annual appreciation dinners where every individual is recognized. Company awards are also given out at annual managers and team leader meetings, as well as holiday parties.
• We celebrate our successes. From free lunches after busy holidays, to profit sharing, summer picnics that the whole family can attend, and recognizing team member milestones with cake and flowers, Stew Leonard's is not only a fun place to shop, but a fun place to work.

"We are thrilled to be recognized as one of the best companies to work for, and it is an honor to be benchmarked against world class corporations such as Google, Nike and American Express," said Jill Leonard Tavello, Executive Vice President of Culture and Communication. "We are so proud of our 2,400 team members who have created a supportive and fun environment so people enjoy coming to work, feel appreciated and create happy customers each and every day."

About Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's, a family-owned and operated fresh food store founded in 1969, has four stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y. Stew's earned its nickname, the "Disneyland of dairy stores" because of its country-fair atmosphere, with costumed characters and animated entertainment throughout the store that keep children entertained while parents shop. Stew Leonard's legion of loyal shoppers is largely due to the stores' passionate approach to customer service: "Rule #1 -- The Customer is Always Right"; Rule #2 – If the Customer is Ever Wrong, Re-Read Rule #1." This principle is so essential to the foundation of the company that it is etched in a three-ton granite rock at each store's entrance. The company's culture is built around an acronym for S.T.E.W.: Satisfy the customer; Teamwork gets it done; Excellence makes it better; WOW makes it fun. For more information, visit Stew Leonard's website at www.stewleonards.com.