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                           Marsh: News Releases




Contact:  Jodi Marsh
          Marsh Supermarkets                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
          (317) 594-2640                          May 4, 2000     

          Rusty Ross
          Ross Supermarkets
          (765) 284-1441
                
                                               

      DIVISION OF MARSH SUPERMARKETS TO ACQUIRE ROSS SUPERMARKETS CHAIN

MUNCIE - A division of Marsh Supermarkets has entered into a definitive 
agreement to purchase the five Ross Supermarket stores located in Muncie, 
Indiana.  The transaction is expected to close on May 6, 2000. 

"We are looking forward to expanding our service in the Muncie community," 
said Don E. Marsh, Chairman and CEO of Marsh Supermarkets Inc. "Our company's 
first store opened in 1931 by my father, Ermal, in Muncie, Indiana and I'm 
delighted to have the opportunity to increase our service area in the 
community that gave us our start, " added Marsh. 

"I want to thank all of our customers for their past patronage," said Rusty 
Ross, President of Ross Supermarkets.  "I view this as a positive development 
for Muncie and my employees.  When I was first made aware that Marsh was 
interested in Ross I knew it would be a very difficult decision, but realized 
that joining with a larger company would provide long term job security for 
my employees, something I could not do with the changes that are coming in 
the Muncie Market.  I know the Marsh family personally, and like my family, 
the grocery business has been their life. I feel confident this is the right 
decision for everyone."

Mr. Ross said he is pleased to make the arrangement with Marsh and LoBill 
so as to continue a locally owned quality grocery store that cares about the 
community.  Mr. Ross plans to be actively involved with the company and play 
an integral role during the transition, and will continue to remain active 
in the Muncie community on the company's behalf.

Marsh Supermarkets is one of the largest regional grocery chains in the 
United States, and operates 70 Marsh Supermarkets, 23 LoBill Foods stores, 
1 Savin*$, and 181 Village Pantry convenience stores in central Indiana and 
western Ohio. The company also operates Convenience Store Distributing 
Company, a wholesale food and grocery merchandise company that services 
1,300 stores in a nine-state area, and Crystal Food Services, which provides 
catering, cafeteria management and vending in Indiana, and McNamara Florists 
and Enflora - Flowers for Business.

Marsh Supermarkets is a publicly held company which employs through its 
various divisions, 14,000 people, principally in a two-state area. Marsh 
common stock is traded on the NASDAQ National Market System (MARSA and MARSB).

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