MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2011-- Nash Finch Company (Nasdaq: NAFC), a Minneapolis-based food distributor, announced today that they have entered an agreement to purchase a Wally’s Supermarket location in Devils Lake, N.D. Wally’s Supermarkets parent company was founded in 1952 by Wally and Ione DeSautel in Grafton, N.D. A second Wally’s Supermarket, located in Grafton, N.D., will be owned and operated by Hugo’s, a Nash Finch-supplied customer. The transactions are expected to be completed by the end of 2011.

“When we made the difficult decision to exit the supermarket business and sell our stores, we felt it was critical to find buyers that would take good care of our customers,” commented Mike DeSautel, one of the owners of Wally’s Supermarkets. “We are pleased that Nash Finch and Hugo’s are going to be the new owners of our stores and our customers can expect a smooth transition since there aren’t any expected changes in management or staff. On behalf of the DeSautel family, I want to thank all of our dedicated employees and our many loyal shoppers who together have helped us develop a business that has delivered a consistent good value and hometown service to our loyal customers,” continued DeSautel.

Alec Covington, Nash Finch President and CEO added, “It is exciting for us to own a supermarket in Devils Lake, where Nash Finch was founded and opened its very first store. This creates a wonderful opportunity for us to serve customers, in a place of historical significance for Nash Finch, in the same way the Nash Brothers did 126 years ago.”

Valley Markets, the operators of the Hugo’s Family Marketplace and a family business based in Grand Forks, N.D., is acquiring Wally’s Grafton store. Hugo’s operates its stores as neighborhood supermarkets where customers receive extra personal service and attention that provide shoppers with the finest shopping experience around. “Hugo’s is thrilled to own a store in Grafton, and we couldn’t be happier to purchase a wonderful family-operated grocery store like Wally’s,” stated Kristi Magnuson-Nelson, owner of Hugo’s. “We are excited to meet our new friends and neighbors and welcome them into the Hugo’s family of customers.” Hugo’s currently owns and operates eight supermarkets that are located in Grand Forks and Jamestown, N.D., as well as in Crookston, East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls, Minn.

About Nash Finch

Nash Finch Company is a Fortune 500 company and one of the leading food distribution companies in the United States. Nash Finch’s core business, food distribution, serves independent retailers and military commissaries in 36 states, the District of Columbia, Europe, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Azores and Egypt. The Company also owns and operates a base of retail stores, primarily supermarkets under the Econofoods®, Family Thrift Center®, AVANZA®, Family Fresh Markets®, Savers Choice® and Sun Mart® trade names. Further information is available on the Company's website at www.nashfinch.com.

Source: Nash Finch Company

Hugo's
Grafton Store:
Kristi Magnuson-Nelson, 701-772-5531
or
Nash Finch
Devils Lake Store:
Brian Numainville, 952-844-1201