Exhibit 23


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS





We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the 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 The Great Atlantic &
Pacific Tea Company, Inc. of our report dated May 21, 2004, relating to the
financial statements, which appears in the Annual Report to Shareholders, which
is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.





/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Florham Park, NJ
May 21, 2004