STEW LEONARD'S GIFT BASKETS VOTED #1 BY CONNECTICUT MAGAZINE

NORWALK, Conn., Sept. 9, 2009 – Connecticut Magazine reviewers scoured the state from end to end for its "Best of Connecticut '09" issue and awarded Stew Leonard's the top prize for food gift baskets. The award-winning baskets are not just for Connecticut residents to enjoy, though. They are available to customers nationwide and are hand-packed and come with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.

"Connecticut residents are well aware of Stew Leonard's reputation for farm-fresh foods, great prices and second-to-none customer service," says Stew Leonard, Jr., President and CEO of Stew Leonard's. "We set the same standards for our Gift Center and this award validates that. In addition to refreshing our gift baskets with new items this year, the Gift Center offers Stew Leonard's famous filet mignons, spiral-cut hams and produce, as well as coffees roasted daily in our food stores."

Following are Stew Leonard's Gift Center categories and the top-sellers in each category:

• Gourmet Gift Baskets: a generous assembly of Stew Leonard’s best-selling snacks, baked goods, fruits and cheeses. Each gourmet basket is hand packed, beautifully presented, and sure to make just the right impression.
  • Sweet Treats: $29.99
  • Stew's Choice: $59.99
• Fresh Baked Goods: the baked goods arrangements consist of a mouth-watering variety of moist and rich brownies, cookies, cakes and bars.
  • Brownie Bucket: ½ gallon, $19.99; 1 gallon, $29.99
  • Cookie Sampler: $21.99
• Fresh Fruit: the fruit collections provide the freshest fruit, nuts and cheeses available. Grown on family orchards with the care only a family-owned business can provide, the produce comes direct from the orchards to you, delivering the freshest and sweetest fruit possible
  • Just Right Fruit: $29.99
  • Florida Honeybell Tangelos: $24.99 (available only from late January through February; must pre-order this item)
• Premium Meats: Stew's is known all over New England for its premium meats.
  • Filet Mignon (four six-ounce steaks): $49.99
  • Spiral Cut Ham (fully cooked): $49.99
• Popcorn and Munchies: an assortment of flavored popcorns, chocolate-covered pretzels, nuts and candies. Great for sending as care packages
  • Student Care Package: $49.99
  • Chocolate Covered Pretzels: $19.99

Stew Leonard's Gift Center offers the same unparalleled customer service and value that customers have come to love the food stores for. While most basket orders are placed during the holiday season and for sending sympathy and get well gifts, Stew's offers themed gift baskets and special promotions online throughout the year, including fun and unique arrangements for Valentine's Day, Mother's and Father's Day, and Back to School. To receive notification of these promotions, go to www.stewleonards.com to receive a weekly email of specials and sales.

Gift basket orders can be placed online at Stew Leonard's Gifts (www.stewsgifts.com) or by calling 1-800-SAY-STEW (1-800-729-7839). Catalogs can be picked up at any Stew Leonard’s location or be requested by phone or from the website. Gift specialists are available by phone to help plan customized gifts or place large business orders.

About Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's is a family-owned and operated fresh food store, where people often travel a distance for the: farm-fresh produce; milk from Stew's own dairy farm; from-scratch baked goods and; premium meats and seafood. Founded in 1969, Stew's Leonard's has four stores in Norwalk, Danbury, and Newington, Conn. and Yonkers, N.Y. The company was named among FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work for in America" for the past eight consecutive years. For more information, visit www.stewleonards.com.