Exhibit 20



Press Release


The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc.

MONTVALE, N.J.--(Business Wire)--June 19, 2002
The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. (A&P, NYSE: GAP) announced that
it currently expects to complete its review of the accounting issues identified
in the Company's May 24, 2002 announcement and file its annual report with the
Securities and Exchange Commission no later than July 3, 2002.

The Company also said that it has the ability to borrow up to $50 million under
its credit facility until July 29, 2002, based on waivers it has received from
its lenders. Management believes this amount will be sufficient to satisfy its
working capital needs pending completion of the Company's review. As of June 19,
2002, the Company had no amounts outstanding under its credit facility.

This release contains forward-looking statements about the future performance of
the Company, which are based on Management's assumptions and beliefs in light of
the information contained herein. The Company assumes no obligation to update
this information. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties
and other factors that cause actual results to differ materially from such
statements including, but not limited to: competitive practices and pricing in
the food industry generally and particularly in the Company's principal markets;
the Company's relationships with its employees and the terms of future
collective bargaining agreements; the costs and other effects of legal and
administrative cases and proceedings; the nature and extent of continued
consolidation in the food industry; changes in the financial markets which may
affect the Company's cost of capital and the ability of the Company to access
capital; supply or quality control problems with the Company's vendors; and
changes in economic conditions which affect the buying patterns of the Company's
customers.