EXHIBIT 23


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
2-92428 on Form S-8, Post Effective Amendment No. 7 to Registration Statement
No. 2-59290 on Form S-8 and Post Effective Amendment No. 3 to Registration
Statement No. 2-73205 on Form S-8 of our report dated July 3, 2002, except for
notes 9 and 13 as to which the date is July 31, 2002 (which expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes explanatory paragraphs relating to the
restatement described in Note 2 and the amendment relating to the correction of
a classification error described in notes 9 and 13), appearing in the Fiscal
2001 Annual Report to Stockholders and incorporated by reference in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K/A of The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. for the
year ended February 23, 2002.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
-------------------------

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Parsippany, New Jersey
July 31, 2002