SUPERVALU INC
10-K405, 1997-05-23
GROCERIES & RELATED PRODUCTS
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<PAGE>
 
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C.  20549

                                   FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

          [X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended February 22, 1997

                                       OR

          [ ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
               SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ___________

Commission file number: 1-5418

                                 SUPERVALU INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

             Delaware                                  41-0617000
   (State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    incorporation or organization)

      11840 Valley View Road
      Eden Prairie, Minnesota                             55344
       (Address of principal                            (Zip Code)
        executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (612) 828-4000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

    Title of each class                Name of each exchange on which registered
    -------------------                -----------------------------------------

    Common Stock, par value $1.00      New York Stock Exchange
     per share
    Preferred Share Purchase Rights    New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes   X    No 
                                        -----     -----


                           [Cover page 1 of 2 pages]
<PAGE>
 
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. [ ]

The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
Registrant as of April 1, 1997 was approximately $1,941,803,206 (based upon the
closing price of Registrant's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
March 31, 1997).

Number of shares of $1.00 par value Common Stock outstanding as of April 1,
1997: 66,911,219.


                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

    1. Portions of Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal
       year ended February 22, 1997 are incorporated into Parts I, II and IV, as
       specifically set forth in Parts I, II and IV.

    2. Portions of Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement filed for
       Registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated into
       Part III, as specifically set forth in Part III.



                           [Cover page 2 of 2 pages]
<PAGE>
 
                                     PART I
                                     ------

         Unless the context indicates otherwise, all references to the
         "Company," "SUPERVALU" or "Registrant" in this Annual Report on Form 
         10-K relate to SUPERVALU INC. and its majority-owned subsidiaries.

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
- -------  --------

         General Development
         -------------------

         SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, was organized in 1925 as the
         successor to two wholesale grocery firms established in the 1870's. The
         Company's principal executive offices are located at 11840 Valley View
         Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344 (Telephone: 612-828-4000).

         The Company is the largest food wholesaler and approximately the 13th
         largest food retailer in the nation. It is engaged in the business of
         selling food and nonfood products at wholesale and operating a variety
         of store formats at retail. The Company supplied approximately 4,300
         stores (not including 611 Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores) in 48
         states as of the close of fiscal 1997 and approximately 4,100 stores
         (not including 518 Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores) at the close
         of fiscal 1996. The Company operated at fiscal year-end 322 retail
         stores under its principal corporate retail formats, including price
         superstores, supercenters, fresh superstores, limited-assortment
         stores, and supermarkets, primarily under the names of Cub Foods, Shop
         'n Save, bigg's, Save-A-Lot, Scott's Foods, Laneco and Hornbacher's.

         In 1991, SUPERVALU began the implementation of a strategy to focus on
         its core food distribution and retailing business segments. The Company
         executed the first major step of this strategy in October 1991 with the
         sale of 54% of SUPERVALU's interest in ShopKo Stores, Inc. ("ShopKo"),
         its discount general merchandise subsidiary, through an initial public
         offering. On April 25, 1997, SUPERVALU announced that it will sell its
         remaining 46% ownership position in ShopKo pursuant to two simultaneous
         transactions, a 8,174,387 share repurchase by ShopKo and a secondary
         public offering for the remaining ShopKo shares. See "Investment in
         ShopKo" below.

         The Company has completed a number of acquisitions during the past five
         years to further the growth of its food distribution, retailing and
         bakery operations, including Wetterau Incorporated (1992), Sweet Life
         Foods (1994), Wetterau Properties, Inc. (1994), Hyper Shoppes, Inc.
         (1994), and several smaller companies.

         In December 1994, the Company announced a change in operating strategy
         which included the decision to restructure certain of its operations
         and reassess the recoverability of underlying assets. Restructuring and
         other charges totaling $244 million were recorded in the third quarter
         of fiscal 1995 to provide for the sale, closure or restructure of
         certain retail businesses, certain costs and expenses incurred in
         connection with the ADVANTAGE project (described below) and the
         recognition of certain asset impairments.

         Management's objective under the ADVANTAGE project is to fundamentally
         change its business processes by improving the effectiveness and
         efficiency of the Company's food distribution system thus lowering the
         cost of goods to the Company's customers and by enhancing the market
         driving support to retailer customers. Management's retail food
         objective was to improve retail performance by eliminating certain
         operations and assets that do not add shareholder value and focusing
         its retail efforts on building retail formats which it believes will
         produce the best results in the future. Twenty-five retail stores have
         been closed since the restructuring reserve was established. The
         ADVANTAGE project has three major initiatives: creation of a
         transformed logistics network; development of enhanced market driving
         capabilities for retailer customers; and adoption of a new approach to
         pricing.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
       Under ADVANTAGE, the Company in fiscal 1997: opened the Anniston, Alabama
       prototype Southeast regional distribution facility and began supplying
       slow-moving grocery and general merchandise to five downstream
       distribution centers in the southeast; began construction of the Ogelsby,
       Illinois Midwest regional distribution facility; established a National
       Customer Service Center in Denver, Colorado; began reconfiguring the
       existing local distribution centers in the Southeast Region; began
       retailer training for the category management program in the Midwest and
       Central Regions; began various phases of category management
       implementation; and began to design and develop enhanced promotion
       systems.

       Additional description of the Company's business, including the ADVANTAGE
       project and the sale of ShopKo stock, is contained in the "Financial
       Review" portion of the Company's Annual Report to the Stockholders for
       fiscal year 1997 (Exhibit 13), pages 16-21, which description is
       incorporated herein by reference.

       Financial Information About Industry Segments
       ---------------------------------------------

       Financial information about the Company's industry segments for the five
       years ended February 22, 1997 is incorporated by reference to page 24 of
       the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for fiscal year 1997 (Exhibit
       13).

       Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the
       -----------------------------------------------------------------------
       Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
       ------------------------------------------------      

       The information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended
       February 22, 1997, includes forward-looking statements. Important risks
       and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially
       from those discussed in such forward looking statements are detailed in
       Exhibit 99.1; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to
       time in the Company's future Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

       Food Distribution Operations
       ----------------------------

       Description of Food Stores Served. SUPERVALU food distribution regions
       sell food and non-food products at wholesale and offer a variety of
       retail support services to independently- owned retail food stores. At
       February 22, 1997, the Company was the principal supplier to
       approximately 4,300 retail grocery and general merchandise stores (not
       including 611 Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores), compared with 4,100
       stores (not including 518 Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores) served at
       the end of fiscal 1996. Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores are supplied
       separately from the Company's traditional wholesale business.

       Retail food stores served by the Company at wholesale range in size from
       small convenience stores to 200,000 square foot supercenters. The
       Company's wholesale customer base includes single and multiple store
       independent operators, regional and national chains and Company owned
       stores, operating in a variety of formats including price superstores,
       supercenters, fresh superstores, limited assortment stores, and
       supermarkets.

       Retail food stores served by the Company at wholesale offer a wide
       variety of groceries, meats, dairy products, frozen foods and fresh
       fruits and vegetables. In addition, most stores carry an assortment of
       non-food items, including tobacco products, health and beauty aids, paper
       products, cleaning supplies, and small household and clothing items. Many
       stores offer one or more specialized services, such as delis, food
       courts, in-store bakeries, liquor departments, video, pharmacies,
       housewares and flower shops.

       The Company is constantly endeavoring to strengthen the retail food
       stores it serves by assisting in the upgrading and enlarging of existing
       stores, establishing new stores, more aggressively merchandising its
       stores, developing diverse formats and retail strategies, and

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
       assisting stores to serve markets which are increasingly segmented. As
       part of the ADVANTAGE project, the Company is also developing market-
       driving capabilities which are intended to help independent retailers
       achieve new growth by offering category management and other programs and
       services.

       Products Supplied.  SUPERVALU continues to supply retail food stores with
       an increasing variety and selection of products, including national and
       regional brands and the Company's own lines of private label products.
       Such private label trademarks as SUPERVALU, FLAV-O-RITE, CHATEAU, SHOP 'N
       SAVE, SHOPPERS VALUE, IGA, NATURE'S BEST, HOME BEST, BI-RITE, FOODLAND,
       PREFERRED SELECTION, SWEET LIFE, WHY PAY MORE, and others accounted for
       approximately 10 percent of the Company's fiscal 1997 sales to retail
       food supermarkets.  See also "Retail Food Operations - Private Label
       Program" for a description of the Company's principal corporate retail
       formats private label programs.

       SUPERVALU supplies private label merchandise over a broad range of
       products included in every department in the store: frozen, dairy,
       grocery, meats, bakery, deli, general merchandise and produce.  These
       products are produced to the Company's specifications by many suppliers,
       some of whom are the nation's foremost manufacturers.

       In addition to making these products available, SUPERVALU also assumes a
       large part of the marketing and merchandising role, conducts private
       label sales events, and provides a wide array of in-store promotional and
       advertising tools and training expertise to assist the retailer in
       promoting private label programs to maximize sales and produce profit
       advantage.

       Hazelwood Farms Bakeries, Inc., a subsidiary of the Company, manufactures
       frozen and par baked bakery products primarily for the supermarket in-
       store bakery and foodservice business channels.  Hazelwood Farms'
       customer base includes wholesale food distributors, supermarket chains
       (including company-owned, affiliated and non-affiliated stores), quick
       service restaurant chains and other foodservice establishments in the
       U.S. and Canada.

       The Company has no significant long-term purchase obligations and
       considers that it has adequate and alternative sources of supply for most
       of its purchased products.

       Distribution and Costs of Merchandise.  Deliveries to retail stores are
       made from the Company's distribution centers, usually in Company-owned
       trucks.  In addition, many types of meats, dairy products, bakery and
       other products purchased from the Company are delivered directly by
       suppliers to retail stores under programs established by the Company.
       Wholesale sales are made to the Company's retailers at the applicable
       price and fee schedule in effect at the time of sale.  In connection with
       the ADVANTAGE project, the Company is reexamining its pricing structure
       and is developing a new pricing approach to retailers called Activity
       Based Sell ("ABS").  The primary objectives of ABS are to reflect the net
       product price plus fees to recover the Company's cost to serve the
       retailer and to earn an adequate profit margin.  In fiscal 1997, the
       Company delayed its intended roll out of ABS in order to develop
       additional systems to support category management and an on-line pass
       through allowance program.

       The Company seeks to lower its cost of product by regionalizing its food
       buying operations and centralizing buying for general merchandise and
       health and beauty products to better leverage the purchasing power of
       larger product orders.  As part of the ADVANTAGE project, the Company is
       developing a two-tiered distribution system to create a national
       logistics network composed of its existing wholesale distribution
       facilities plus regional distribution facilities which will provide
       regional distribution for slow moving grocery product, general
       merchandise and health and beauty care products.  The Southeastern
       Regional Facility, the Company's first regional distribution facility
       located in Anniston, Alabama, became operational in June 1996 and
       currently serves six existing Southeast distribution facilities.  The
       Company began construction of a second regional distribution facility
       located in Ogelsby, Illinois in June 1996, which when opened is intended
       to serve 12 distribution centers and three 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
       marketing regions in the Midwest. These actions are intended to increase
       buying scale, improve operating efficiencies and lower cost of
       operations.

       A new National Customer Service Center was established in Denver,
       Colorado in the fall of 1996.  The national service center was
       established to replace divisional customer service functions for
       retailers, facilitate rapid customer response and track and identify ways
       to service the Company's retailers more efficiently.  The National
       Customer Service function is currently servicing customers in two
       regions.

       Services Supplied.  In addition to supplying merchandise, the Company
       also offers retail customers a wide variety of support services,
       including advertising, promotional and merchandising assistance, store
       management assistance, retail operations counseling, computerized
       inventory control and ordering services, accounting, bill paying and
       payroll services (largely computerized), store layout and equipment
       planning (including point-of-sale electronic scanning), cash management,
       building design and construction services, financial and budget planning,
       strategic and business planning, assistance in selection and purchasing
       or leasing of store sites, consumer and market research and personnel
       training and management assistance.  Certain Company subsidiaries operate
       as insurance agencies and provide comprehensive insurance programs to the
       Company's affiliated retailers.

       As part of the ADVANTAGE project, the Company has realigned its wholesale
       food divisions into seven marketing regions designed to reduce the cost
       of services to retailers while maintaining contact with retailers and the
       ultimate consumer.  One such service intended to be offered to retailers
       is category management, which is a process designed to align product
       assortment with consumer preferences.  Category management efforts have
       been accelerating, with the Company currently in various phases of
       implementation with various independent retailers.

       The Company may provide financial assistance to retail stores served or
       to be served by it, including the acquisition, leasing and subleasing of
       store properties, the making of direct loans, and providing guarantees or
       other forms of financing.  In general, loans made by the Company to
       independent retailers are secured by liens on inventory and/or equipment,
       by personal guarantees and other security.  When the Company subleases
       store properties to retailers, the rentals are generally as high or
       higher than those paid by the Company.

       Retail Food Operations
       ----------------------

       Principal Corporate Retail Formats.  At fiscal year end, the Company's
       retail businesses operated a total of 322 retail stores, including price
       superstores, supercenters, fresh superstores, limited assortment stores
       and supermarkets.  These diverse formats enable the Company to operate in
       a variety of markets under widely differing competitive circumstances.

       At the close of fiscal 1997, the Company's retail stores operated under
       the following principal corporate formats:

       Cub Foods consists of 117 price superstores located in 13 states, 62 of
       which are franchised to independent retailers and 55 of which are
       corporately operated.  Plans for fiscal 1998 include the opening of three
       corporate stores and three franchised stores, and the conversion of two
       corporate stores to franchised stores.

       Shop `n Save consists of 32 price superstores located principally in the
       metropolitan St. Louis, Missouri.  One replacement Shop `n Save price
       superstore is planned for fiscal 1998.

       bigg's consists of seven supercenters and three price superstores that
       operate in the Cincinnati, Louisville and Denver metropolitan markets.
       bigg's was acquired by the Company in August 1994.  No new bigg's stores
       are planned for fiscal 1998.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
       Save-A-Lot is the Company's combined wholesale and retail limited
       assortment operation.  At fiscal year end there were 611 Save-A-Lot
       limited assortment stores located in 31 states, of which 135 were
       corporately operated.  In fiscal 1997, the Company acquired 21 Sav-U-
       Foods stores in southern California which have been converted to the
       Save-A-Lot banner.  Save-A-Lot projects adding approximately 110 stores
       in fiscal 1998, including 30 corporately owned stores and 80 licensed
       units.

       Scott's Foods is a 17-store group located in the Fort Wayne, Indiana
       area.  One replacement store opened in the first quarter of fiscal 1998.
       No other Scott's Foods stores are planned for fiscal 1998.

       Laneco operates a diverse mix of 34 retail outlets comprised
       predominantly of supermarkets, supercenters and discount food stores
       located in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  These stores operate mainly
       under the Laneco, Foodland, Ultra IGA and Price Slasher names and
       formats.  No new stores are planned for fiscal 1998.

       Hornbacher's is a five-store group located in the Fargo, North Dakota
       area, with no new stores planned for fiscal 1998.

       Other store formats operated by the Company include County Market,
       SUPERVALU, IGA, and Butson's.

       Pursuant to the Company's restructuring plan, since fiscal 1995, the
       Company has closed a total of 25 retail stores, including two retail
       stores in fiscal 1997.

       Private Label Program.  Private label products continue to be a focus of
       SUPERVALU's principal corporate retail formats.  SUPERVALU's principal
       corporate retail formats are expanding their private label item
       selection.  Approximately 85 percent of the sales by the Company's Save-
       A-Lot limited assortment operations consist of Save-A-Lot created or
       controlled brands.  Cub Foods, bigg's and Scott's Foods are in the
       process of developing or have developed proprietary name brands.

       Trademarks
       ----------

       The Company offers its customers the opportunity to franchise a concept
       or license a servicemark.  This program helps the customer compete by
       providing, as part of the franchise or license program, a complete
       business concept, group advertising, private label products and other
       benefits.  The Company is the franchisor or has the right to license
       retailers to use certain servicemarks such as CUB FOODS, SAVE-A-LOT,
       COUNTY MARKET, SHOP 'N SAVE, NEWMARKET, SUPERVALU, IGA, FOODLAND and
       SUPERVALU FOOD & DRUG.  The Company registers a substantial number of
       its trademarks/servicemarks in the United States Patent and Trademark
       Office, including many of its private label product trademarks and
       servicemarks.  See "Food Distribution Operations -- Products Supplied".
       The Company considers certain of its trademarks and servicemarks to be of
       material importance to its business and actively defends and enforces
       such trademarks and servicemarks.

       Competition
       -----------

       Since the Company's food business consists principally of supplying
       independently owned and operated retail food stores, its success is
       dependent upon the ability of those retail store operators to compete
       successfully with other retail food stores, and also upon its own ability
       to compete successfully with other wholesale distributors.  Both the
       wholesale and the retail food businesses are highly competitive.  At the
       wholesale level, the Company competes directly with a number of
       wholesalers which supply retailers and indirectly with the warehouse and

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
       distribution operations of the large integrated chains.  The Company
       competes with other wholesale food distributors in most of its market
       areas on the basis of product price, quality and assortment, schedule and
       reliability of deliveries, the range and quality of services provided,
       the location of the store sites and distribution facilities and its
       willingness to provide financing to its customers.  See "Food
       Distribution Operations -- Distribution and Costs of Merchandise" and 
       "--Services Supplied."

       The principal competitive factors that affect the Company's retail
       segment are location, price, quality, service and consumer loyalty.
       Local, regional, and national food chains, as well as independent food
       stores and markets, comprise the principal competition, although the
       Company also faces competition from alternative formats including
       supercenters and membership warehouse clubs and from convenience stores,
       various formats selling prepared foods, and specialty and discount
       retailers.

       Employees
       ---------

       At February 22, 1997, the Company had approximately 48,600 employees.
       Approximately 16,000 employees are covered by collective bargaining
       agreements.  During fiscal year 1997, 24 agreements covering 2,500
       employees were re-negotiated without any work stoppage.  In fiscal 1998,
       15 contracts covering approximately 1,500 employees will expire.  The
       Company believes that it has generally good relationships with its
       employees.

       Investment in ShopKo
       --------------------

       On April 25, 1997, the Company announced that ShopKo has agreed to
       repurchase 8,174,387 shares of its stock from SUPERVALU for $18.35 per
       share.  Simultaneously, SUPERVALU will sell its remaining 6,557,280
       shares of ShopKo common stock in a secondary public offering.  The
       Company is required to proceed with the secondary public offering if the
       share price in the offering is at or above $18.35, but could at its
       option, proceed at a lower price.  The two transactions, which are cross-
       conditional and subject to other conditions, are expected to close in the
       summer of 1997.  Michael Wright, Chief Executive Officer of SUPERVALU,
       and Jeffrey Girard, Chief Financial Officer of SUPERVALU, currently serve
       on the Board of Directors of ShopKo.  They would resign upon completion
       of the stock repurchase and the secondary public offering.

       Previously the Company had agreed to sell its 14.7 million shares of
       ShopKo stock in a transaction which provided for the combination of
       ShopKo and Phar-Mor, Inc. ("Phar-Mor") under a holding company, Cabot
       Noble, Inc.  That agreement was terminated in April 1997 by the mutual
       agreement of ShopKo and Phar-Mor.

       ShopKo has operated as an independent company since its initial public
       offering in October 1991.  The Company's 46% investment in ShopKo is
       accounted for by the equity method.  The following summary of ShopKo's
       business has been prepared from information provided by ShopKo.
       Additional information regarding ShopKo is available from the reports and
       other documents prepared and filed by ShopKo with the Securities and
       Exchange Commission.

       As of February 22, 1997, ShopKo operated 130 discount retail stores and
       four freestanding optical centers in 16 states.  ShopKo's corporate
       headquarters is located in Green Bay, Wisconsin and its stores are
       located primarily in medium-sized and smaller cities in the Upper
       Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest states.  ShopKo stores
       carry a wide selection of branded and private label "hardline/home" goods
       such as housewares, home textiles, household supplies, health and beauty
       aids, home entertainment products, small appliances, furniture,
       music/videos, toys, sporting goods, social occasion products, candy,
       snack foods, and seasonal products, and "softline" goods such as home
       textiles, men's, women's and children's apparel, shoes, jewelry,
       cosmetics and accessories.  ShopKo also provides pharmacy and optical
       services in most of its stores.  ShopKo's stores average 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          approximately 90,000 square feet with approximately 84% of the stores
          greater than 74,000 square feet. During fiscal 1997, ShopKo opened two
          new stores (including one relocated store), renovated seven stores,
          and opened four new freestanding optical centers. ShopKo has no plans
          to complete any major remodeling or construct any new stores in fiscal
          1998. The discount general merchandise business is very competitive.
          ShopKo competes in most of its markets with a variety of national
          discount chains, including Wal-Mart, Kmart, and Target, with regional
          discount chains and local discount stores, and with national category
          sellers and specialty niche retailers. ShopKo is also engaged in the
          business of providing health services through its subsidiary,
          ProVantage, Inc., which specializes in prescription benefit
          management, mail service pharmacy, vision benefit management and
          health care information technology.

          Other Investments
          -----------------

          The Company has ownership interests in business ventures related to
          its food distribution and retail segments, which include investments
          in Waremart, Inc., Foodland Distributors, and Super Discount Markets,
          Inc. The results of these investments are accounted for using the
          equity method. The aggregate carrying amount of these investments is
          less than 2% of total assets.

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES
- -------   ----------

          The Company's principal executive offices are located in a 180,000
          square foot corporate headquarters facility located in Eden Prairie,
          Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This
          headquarters facility is located on a 140 acre site owned by the
          Company. The Company also owns a 240,000 square foot office facility,
          One Southwest Crossing, which is located within one mile of its
          principal executive offices. At the end of fiscal 1997, One Southwest
          Crossing was fully occupied by third party tenants and Company
          employees.

          The following table lists the location, use and approximate size of
          the Company's principal warehouse, distribution and manufacturing
          facilities utilized in the Company's food distribution operations as
          of February 22, 1997:

             WAREHOUSE, DISTRIBUTION AND MANUFACTURING FACILITIES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             Square                  Square
                                                                             Footage                 Footage
                                                                              Owned                  Leased
Division or Location             Use                                      (Approximate)           (Approximate)
- --------------------             ---                                      -------------           -------------
<S>                              <C>                                            <C>                     <C>

Anniston, Alabama                Distribution Center & Offices                                          497,000
Anniston, Alabama                Advantage Logistics - Regional
                                  Distribution Center                           225,000
Los Angeles, California          General Merchandise Warehouse
                                  and Offices                                                           227,000
Rancho Cucamonga, California     Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                  and Offices                                   110,000
Denver, Colorado                 Distribution Center & Offices                  721,000
Suffield, Connecticut            Distribution Center & Offices                                          650,000
</TABLE>


                                       9
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      Square              Square
                                                                      Footage             Footage
                                                                      Owned               Leased
Division or Location           Use                                  (Approximate)      (Approximate)
- --------------------           ---                                  -------------      -------------

<S>                            <C>                                  <C>                <C>
Lakeland, Florida              Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                                                  127,000
Quincy, Florida                Distribution Center & Offices              772,000
Atlanta, Georgia               Distribution Center & Offices                                 628,000
Atlanta, Georgia               Bakery, Warehouse and Offices              105,000
Buffalo Grove, Illinois        Bakery, Warehouse and Offices               47,000
Champaign, Illinois            Distribution Center & Offices              820,000            172,000
Ft. Wayne, Indiana             Distribution Center & Offices            1,099,000
Des Moines, Iowa               Distribution Center & Offices              663,000
Greenville, Kentucky           Distribution Center & Offices              309,000
Lexington, Kentucky            Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                                                  294,000
Hammond, Louisiana             Distribution Center & Offices              257,000
St. Rose, Louisiana            Distribution Center & Offices                                 275,000
Portland, Maine                Distribution Center & Offices              194,000
Perryman, Maryland             Distribution Center & Offices              511,000
Williamsport, Maryland         Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                               173,000
Andover, Massachusetts         Distribution Center & Offices              454,000
Holtz, Michigan                Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                               218,000
Livonia, Michigan/1/           Foodland Distributors, Distribution
                                Center                                                     1,275,000
Minneapolis, Minnesota         Distribution Center & Offices            1,594,000
Indianola, Mississippi         Distribution Center & Offices              721,000
Desloge, Missouri              General Merchandise Warehouse
                                and Offices                               134,000             34,000
Hazelwood, Missouri            Distribution Center & Offices              459,000            310,000
Hazelwood, Missouri            Bakery, Warehouse and Offices              259,000
Scott City, Missouri           Distribution Center & Offices              278,000
St. Louis, Missouri            Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                               147,000             45,000
Vinita Park, Missouri          Offices                                                        31,000
Billings, Montana              Distribution Center & Offices              267,000             11,000
Great Falls, Montana           Distribution Center & Offices              154,000
Keene, New Hampshire           Distribution Center & Offices              176,000
Rochester, New York            Bakery, Warehouse and Offices               33,000
Bismarck, North Dakota         Distribution Center & Offices              257,000
Fargo, North Dakota            Distribution Center & Offices              493,000
Columbus, Ohio                 Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                                                  182,000
Xenia, Ohio                    Distribution Center & Offices              511,000            170,000
McMinnville, Oregon            Bakery, Warehouse and Offices              110,000
Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania     Distribution Center & Offices              713,000
Hazleton, Pennsylvania         Bakery, Warehouse and Offices              125,000
</TABLE>

- -------------------------
     /1/ Leased by Foodland Distributors in which the Company is a 50% partner.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Square        Square
                                                                        Footage       Footage
                                                                        Owned         Leased
Division or Location           Use                                  (Approximate)  (Approximate)
- --------------------           ---                                  -------------  -------------

<S>                            <C>                             <C>                            <C>
Lower Nazareth Township,       General Merchandise Warehouse
  Pennsylvania (Easton)         and Offices                               230,000
New Stanton, Pennsylvania      Distribution Center & Offices              726,000
Reading, Pennsylvania          Distribution Center & Offices              284,000        256,000
Cranston, Rhode Island         Distribution Center & Offices              196,000
Humboldt, Tennessee            Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                                              214,000
Grand Prairie, Texas           Save-A-Lot Distribution Center
                                and Offices                                              140,000
Spokane, Washington            Distribution Center & Offices              551,000
Tacoma, Washington             Distribution Center & Offices              910,000        113,000
Milton, West Virginia          Distribution Center & Offices                6,000        268,000
Green Bay, Wisconsin           Distribution Center & Offices              430,000        475,000
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin    Distribution Center & Offices              625,000

</TABLE>

       The retail food stores operated by the Company generally have been
       leased, usually for a term of 15-25 years plus renewal options.  The
       Company is increasingly developing and owning its own retail store sites.
       The following table is a summary of the retail stores operated by the
       Company's principal corporate retail formats as of February 22, 1997:

                       PRINCIPAL CORPORATE RETAIL FORMATS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         Square         Square
                                                                         Footage        Footage
                                                                          Owned         Leased
Retail Format        Location and Number of Corporate Stores          (Approximate)  (Approximate)
- -------------        ---------------------------------------          -------------  -------------
<S>                  <C>                                              <C>            <C>

Cub Foods/1/         Colorado (7), Illinois (15), Indiana (5),            2,456,000      1,546,000
                     Minnesota (15), Missouri (1), Ohio (4),
                     Wisconsin (8)
Shop `n Save         Illinois (14), Missouri (18)                           236,000      1,225,000
bigg's               Colorado (1), Indiana (1), Kentucky (2),               473,000      1,082,000
                     Ohio (6)
Save-A-Lot/2/        Arkansas (6), California (22), Connecticut (1),         38,000      1,674,000
                     Delaware (3), Florida (24), Maryland (4),
                     Massachusetts (3), Mississippi (3), Missouri (2),
                     New Jersey (5), Ohio (7), Oklahoma (9),
                     Pennsylvania (19), Rhode Island (1),
                     Tennessee (4), Texas (22)
Scott's Food         Indiana (17)                                           154,000        716,000
Laneco               New Jersey (13), Pennsylvania (21)                     169,000      1,589,000
Hornbacher's         Minnesota (1), North Dakota (4)                         95,000        107,000
</TABLE>

- ---------------

/1/ As of February 22, 1997, Cub Foods included an additional 62 franchised
    stores not listed above.
/2/ As of February 22, 1997, Save-A-Lot included an additional 476 licensed
    stores not listed above.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
          The Company also owns and leases certain additional real estate
          consisting primarily of shopping centers and transition stores, which
          are not material to its operations. Transition stores are generally
          those retail stores that the Company operates for a limited period of
          time pending sale or sublet to its independent retailers. Transition
          stores that are sublet are generally leased for periods not exceeding
          20 years plus renewal options. The Company owns, in addition to
          merchandise inventories, substantially all of the trucks and trailers
          used in transporting its products.

          Incorporated by reference hereto is the Note captioned "Leases" of
          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on pages 32-33 of the
          Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for fiscal year 1997 (Exhibit
          13) for information regarding lease commitments for facilities
          occupied by the Company. Incorporated by reference hereto is the Note
          captioned "Debt" of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on
          pages 31-32 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for fiscal
          year 1997 (Exhibit 13) for information regarding properties held
          subject to mortgages.

          Management of the Company believes the physical facilities and
          equipment described above are adequate for the Company's present needs
          and businesses.

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
- -------   -----------------

          There are no material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary
          routine litigation incidental to the business of the Registrant.

ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
- -------   ---------------------------------------------------

          There was no matter submitted during the fourth quarter of fiscal year
          1997 to a vote of the security holders of Registrant.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- ------------------------------------

The following table sets forth certain information concerning the executive
officers of the Company as of April 1, 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Year Elected
                                                                    to Present     Other Positions Held With the
      Name             Age              Present Position             Position         Company from 1992-1997
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                    <C>        <C>                              <C>             <C>
Michael W. Wright       58        Director, Chairman of the            1982
                                  Board, President and Chief
                                  Executive Officer
Jeffrey C. Girard       49        Executive Vice President,            1992        Senior Vice President, Chief
                                  Chief Financial Officer                          Financial Officer, 1990-1992
Jeffrey Noddle          50        Executive Vice President; and        1995        Executive Vice President,
                                  President and Chief                              Marketing, 1992-1995; Senior
                                  Operating Officer - Wholesale                    Vice President, Marketing, 1988-
                                  Food Companies                                   1992
David L. Boehnen        50        Senior Vice President, Law           1991
                                  and External Relations
Kim M. Erickson         43        Senior Vice President,               1997        Vice President and Treasurer,
                                  Finance, and Treasurer                           1995-1997
Gregory C. Heying       48        Senior Vice President,               1994        Vice President, Distribution,
                                  Distribution                                     1988-1994

</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Elected
                                                                           to Present     Other Positions Held With the
      Name                    Age              Present Position             Position         Company from 1992-1997
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>        <C>                              <C>             <C>
George Z. Lopuch              47         Senior Vice President,               1992        Vice President, 1989-1992
                                         Strategic Planning &
                                         Research
H. S. (Skip) Smith III        50         Senior Vice President,
                                         Information Technology               1994        Vice President, Information
                                                                                          Services, 1986-1994
Ronald C. Tortelli            51         Senior Vice President,               1988
                                         Human Resources
James R. Campbell             56         Vice President, Retail               1995        Vice President, Market
                                         Services                                         Development, 1993-1995; Senior
                                                                                          Vice President, Northeast Region,
                                                                                          1992-1993; Minneapolis, Great
                                                                                          Lakes and former Green Bay
                                                                                          Divisions President, 1984-1992
George Chirtea                60         Vice President,                      1993        Wetterau Incorporated Senior
                                         Merchandising                                    Vice President, Marketing, and
                                                                                          First Vice President-Retail
                                                                                          Operations, 1992-1993
John H. Hooley                45         Vice President, SUPERVALU;           1993        Cub Foods Division President,
                                         Cub Foods Division President                     Chief Operating Officer, 1992-
                                         and Chief Executive Officer                      1993; Vice President,
                                                                                          Merchandising, 1991-1992
Michael L. Mulligan           52         Vice President, Wholesale            1996        Vice President, Sales, 1992-1996;
                                         Sales and Marketing                              Vice President, Communications,
                                                                                          1985-1992
E. Wayne Shives               55         Vice President, Employee             1993        Vice President, Labor Relations,
                                         Relations                                        1988-1993
</TABLE>

          The term of office of each executive officer is from one annual
          meeting of the directors until the next annual meeting of directors or
          until a successor for each is elected. There are no arrangements or
          understandings between any of the executive officers of the Registrant
          and any other person (not an officer or director of the Registrant
          acting as such) pursuant to which any of the executive officers were
          selected as an officer of the Registrant. There are no immediate
          family relationships between or among any of the executive officers of
          the Company.

          Each of the executive officers of the Company has been in the employ
          of the Company or its subsidiaries for more than five years, except
          for George Chirtea and Kim M. Erickson.

          Mr. Chirtea is Vice President, Merchandising. Prior to the Company's
          acquisition of Wetterau Incorporated ("Wetterau") in October 1992, Mr.
          Chirtea was Senior Vice President, Marketing, Wetterau and Wetterau
          First Vice President, Retail Operations from 1984 through 1992.

          Ms. Erickson was elected Senior Vice President, Finance, and Treasurer
          of the Company in March 1997. From August 1995 through March 1997 she
          was Vice President and Treasurer of the Company; and from January 1992
          through August 1995 she was Vice President and Treasurer of
          International Multifoods Corporation (a food service distribution and
          manufacturing company).

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
                                    -------
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
- -------  -----------------------------------------------------------------
         MATTERS
         -------

         The information called for by Item 5 as to the principal market upon
         which the Registrant's Common Stock is traded and as to the
         approximate record number of stockholders of the Registrant is hereby
         incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report to the
         Stockholders for fiscal year 1997 (Exhibit 13) page 41.

         The information called for by Item 5 as to the Registrant's quarterly
         dividends and quarterly stock price ranges for the last two fiscal
         years is hereby incorporated by reference to the paragraph captioned
         "Common Stock Price" in the Financial Review Section of the
         Registrant's Annual Report to the Stockholders for fiscal year 1997
         (Exhibit 13) page 18.

         The information called for by Item 5 as to restrictions on the payment
         of dividends by the Registrant is hereby incorporated by reference to
         the Note captioned "Debt" of Notes to Consolidated Financial
         Statements of the Registrant's Annual Report to the Stockholders for
         fiscal year 1997 (Exhibit 13) pages 31-32.

         During the fiscal year ended February 22, 1997, the Company issued
         17,500 shares of unregistered restricted common stock as stock bonuses
         to certain employees. The issuance of such shares did not constitute a
         "sale" within the meaning of Section 2(3) of Securities Act of 1933,
         as amended.


ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
- -------  -----------------------

         The information called for by Item 6 is incorporated by reference to
         the Registrant's Annual Report to the Stockholders for fiscal year
         1997 (Exhibit 13) pages 22-23.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
- -------  -----------------------------------------------------------------------
         OF OPERATIONS
         -------------

         The information called for by Item 7 is incorporated by reference to
         the Registrant's Annual Report to the Stockholders for fiscal year 1997
         (Exhibit 13) pages 16-21.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
- -------  -------------------------------------------

         The information called for by Item 8 is incorporated by reference to
         the Registrant's Annual Report to the Stockholders for fiscal year 1997
         (Exhibit 13) pages 24-37.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
- -------  ---------------------------------------------------------------
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
         --------------------

         None.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
                                   PART III
                                   --------


ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
- --------  --------------------------------------------------

          The information called for by Item 10, as to (a) Directors of the
          Registrant and (b) compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities and
          Exchange Act of 1934, is incorporated by reference to the Registrant's
          definitive Proxy Statement dated May 23, 1997 filed with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A in
          connection with the Registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
          at pages 5-7 and page 25. Certain information regarding executive
          officers is included in Part I above.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
- --------  ----------------------

          The information called for by Item 11 is incorporated by reference to
          the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement dated May 23, 1997 filed
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A
          in connection with the Registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of
          Stockholders at pages 8-13, excluding the section entitled "Report of
          Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee," and page 25.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
- --------  --------------------------------------------------------------

          The information called for by Item 12 is incorporated by reference to
          the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement dated May 23, 1997 filed
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A
          in connection with the Registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of
          Stockholders at pages 3-4.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
- --------  ----------------------------------------------

          The information called for by Item 13 is incorporated by reference to
          the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement dated May 23, 1997 filed
          with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A
          in connection with the Registrant's 1997 Annual Meeting of
          Stockholders at page 25.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART IV
                                    -------

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
- --------  ---------------------------------------------------------------

          Form 10-K
          ---------

          (a) 1.  Financial Statements:

                  The following consolidated financial statements of SUPERVALU
                  INC. and Subsidiaries are included in Part II, Item 8 (which
                  incorporates information by reference to the Registrant's 1997
                  Annual Report to Stockholders (Exhibit 13)):

                  Independent Auditors' Report 
                  Consolidated balance sheets as of February 22, 1997 
                    and February 24, 1996.
                  Consolidated statements of earnings for each
                    of the three years in the period ended
                    February 22, 1997
                  Consolidated statements of cash flows for each
                    of the three years in the period ended
                    February 22, 1997
                  Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity
                    for each of the three years in the period
                    ended February 22, 1997
                  Notes to consolidated financial statements

          2.      Consolidated Financial Statement        Page on this Form 10-K
                  Schedules for SUPERVALU INC.            ----------------------
                  and Subsidiaries: 
             
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                  <C>

                  Selected Quarterly Financial Data - for the
                  two years ended February 22, 1997 - included
                  in Part II, Item 8 (which incorporates
                  information by reference to the Registrant's
                  1997 Annual Report to Stockholders
                  (Exhibit 13)).

                  Independent Auditors' report on schedules          22
</TABLE>
                  Schedule VIII -  Valuation and qualifying          23
                                   accounts

                  All other schedules are omitted because they
                  are not applicable or not required.

          3.      Exhibits:

                 (3)(i)  Articles of Incorporation. Restated Certificate of
                         Incorporation is incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                         (3)(i) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
                         for the year ended February 26, 1994.

                 (3)(ii) Bylaws. Bylaws, as amended, is incorporated by
                         reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant's
                         Registration Statement on Form S-3, Registration No.
                         33-52422.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          (4)  Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including
               indentures:

               a. Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the Registrant
                  and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to certain
                  outstanding debt securities of the Registrant, is
                  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
                  Registration No. 33-52422.

               b. First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1990
                  between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                  Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                  Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, is
                  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the
                  Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3,
                  Registration No. 33-52422.

               c. Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
                  between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                  Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                  Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, is
                  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated November 13, 1992.

               d. Letter of Representations dated November 12, 1992 between
                  the Registrant, Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, and The
                  Depository Trust Company relating to certain outstanding
                  debt securities of the Registrant, is incorporated by
                  reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the Registrant's Form 8-K
                  Report dated November 13, 1992.

               e. Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1995
                  between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                  Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                  Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, is
                  incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the
                  Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated October 2, 1995.

               f. Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 1995 among the
                  Registrant, the Banks named therein and Citibank, N.A., as
                  Agent, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
                  Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated October 2, 1995.

               g. Rights Agreement dated as of April 12, 1989 between the
                  Registrant and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights
                  Agent, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 to the
                  Registrant's Form 8-K Report dated April 19, 1989.

               Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii) of Regulation S-K, copies of
               certain instruments defining the rights of holders of certain
               long-term debt of the Registrant and its subsidiaries are not
               filed and, in lieu thereof, the Registrant agrees to furnish
               copies thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
               request.

          (10)    Material Contracts. The following exhibits are management
                  contracts, compensatory plans or arrangements required to be
                  filed pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K:

               a. SUPERVALU INC. 1993 Stock Plan, as amended.

               b. SUPERVALU INC. 1978 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, as
                  amended, is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)c. to
                  Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                  February 25, 1989.

               c. SUPERVALU INC. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
              d. SUPERVALU INC. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan for Non-
                 Employee Directors, as amended, is incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit (10)e. to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 
                 10-Q for the quarterly period (16 weeks) ended June 15, 1996.

              e. SUPERVALU INC. 1983 Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended.

              f. SUPERVALU INC. 1989 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)g. to Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 25,
                 1989.

              g. SUPERVALU INC. ERISA Excess Plan Restatement is incorporated
                 by reference to Exhibit (10)h. to Registrant's Annual Report on
                 Form 10-K for the year ended February 24, 1990.

              h. SUPERVALU INC. Deferred Compensation Plan is incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit (10)i. to Registrant's Annual Report on
                 Form 10-K for the year ended February 23, 1991.

              i. SUPERVALU INC. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as amended
                 and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan II are incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit (10)j. to Registrant's Annual Report on
                 Form 10-K for the year ended February 25, 1989.

              j. Amendments to the SUPERVALU INC. Deferred Compensation Plan
                 and the SUPERVALU INC. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan II
                 are incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)c. to Registrant's
                 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period (12
                 weeks) ended September 7, 1996.

              k. Form of Agreement used in connection with Registrant's
                 Executive Post-Retirement Survivor Benefit Program, is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)j. to Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 27,
                 1988.

              l. Forms of Change of Control Severance Agreements entered into
                 with certain officers of the Registrant are incorporated by
                 reference to Exhibit (10)l. to Registrant's Annual Report on
                 Form 10-K for the year ended February 27, 1993.

              m. SUPERVALU INC. Agreement and Plans Trust dated as of November
                 14, 1988 is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)n. to
                 Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                 February 25, 1989.

              n. First Amendment (dated May 7, 1991) to SUPERVALU INC.
                 Agreement and Plans Trust dated as of November 14, 1988, is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)o. to Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 23,
                 1991.

              o. SUPERVALU INC. Directors Retirement Program, as amended, is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)o. to the Registrant's
                 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period (16
                 weeks) ended June 15, 1996.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
              p. SUPERVALU INC. Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement
                 Plan is incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)r. to
                 Registrant's Form 10-K Report for the year ended February 24,
                 1990.

              q. First Amendment to SUPERVALU INC. Non-Qualified Supplemental
                 Executive Retirement Plan is incorporated by reference to
                 Exhibit (10)a. to Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                 for the quarterly period (12 weeks) ended September 7, 1996.

              r. SUPERVALU INC. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended.

              s. SUPERVALU INC. Bonus Plan for Designated Corporate Officers is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)t. to Registrant's
                 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 26,
                 1994.

              t. SUPERVALU INC. Non-Employee Directors Deferred Stock Plan is
                 incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)b. to Registrant's
                 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period (12
                 weeks) ended September 7, 1996.

              u. SUPERVALU INC. 1997 Stock Plan.

              v. Separation Agreement and General Release dated November 1,
                 1996 between Phillip A. Dabill and SUPERVALU INC.

          (12)   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

          (13)   Portions of 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders of Registrant.

          (21)   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

          (23)   Consent of Independent Auditors.

          (24)   Power of Attorney.

          (27)   Financial Data Schedule.

          (99.1) Cautionary Statements pursuant to the Securities Litigation
                 Reform Act.

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K:

         No report on Form 8-K was filed during the fourth fiscal quarter of the
         fiscal year ended February 22, 1997.

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
                                  ----------

  Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                        SUPERVALU INC.
                                        (Registrant)


DATE:  May 23, 1997                     By:  /s/ Michael W. Wright
                                             ---------------------------
                                                 Michael W. Wright
                                                 Chairman of the Board;
                                                 President and Chief
                                                 Executive Officer

  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

SIGNATURE                                       TITLE                                                 DATE
- ---------                                       -----                                                 ----
<S>                                             <C>                                                   <C> 

/s/ Michael W. Wright                           Chairman of the Board; President;                     May 23, 1997
- ------------------------------                  Chief Executive Officer; and
Michael W. Wright                               Director (principal executive
                                                officer)

/s/ Jeffrey C. Girard                           Executive Vice President and                          May 23, 1997
- ------------------------------                  Chief Financial Officer (principal
Jeffrey C. Girard                               financial and accounting officer)


/s/  Herman Cain*                               Director
- ------------------------------
Herman Cain


/s/  Stephen I. D'Agostino*                     Director
- ------------------------------
Stephen I. D'Agostino


/s/  Lawrence A. Del Santo*                     Director
- ------------------------------
Lawrence A. Del Santo


/s/  Edwin C. Gage*                             Director
- ------------------------------
Edwin C. Gage


/s/  Vernon H. Heath*                           Director
- ------------------------------
Vernon H. Heath


/s/  William A. Hodder*                         Director
- ------------------------------
William A. Hodder
</TABLE> 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
/s/  Garnett L. Keith, Jr.*                        Director
- -------------------------------    
Garnett L. Keith, Jr.


/s/  Richard L. Knowlton*                          Director
- -------------------------------  
Richard L. Knowlton


/s/  Charles M. Lillis*                            Director
- -------------------------------      
Charles M. Lillis


/s/  Harriet Perlmutter*                           Director
- -------------------------------    
Harriet Perlmutter


/s/  Carole F. St. Mark*                           Director
- -------------------------------   
Carole F. St. Mark 


/s/  Winston R. Wallin*                            Director
- -------------------------------   
Winston R. Wallin


     *Executed this 23rd day of May, 1997, on behalf of the indicated Directors
by Michael W. Wright, duly appointed Attorney-in-Fact.


                                         /s/ Michael W. Wright
                                         ---------------------
                                         Michael W. Wright
                                         Attorney-in-Fact


                                       21
<PAGE>
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


Board of Directors and Stockholders
SUPERVALU INC.
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of SUPERVALU INC. (the
Company) and subsidiaries as of February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996 and for
each of the three years in the period ended February 22, 1997 and have issued
our report thereon dated April 3, 1997, except for the Investment in ShopKo
Note, as to which the date is April 25, 1997.  Such financial statements and
report are included in your 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and are
incorporated herein by reference.  Our audits also included the financial
statement schedule of SUPERVALU INC. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14.  This
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits.  In our
opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------------
Minneapolis, Minnesota

April 3, 1997, except for the Investment in ShopKo Note to the
consolidated financial statements as to which the date is April 25, 1997

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

    SCHEDULE VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
    <S>                                   <C>           <C>              <C>                         <C>               <C>     

                COLUMN A                   COLUMN B               COLUMN C                           COLUMN D           COLUMN E
    --------------------------------      ----------    -------------------------------             ----------         ----------

                                                              (1)              (2) 
                                          Balance at         Charged                                                   Balance at
                                           beginning        to costs         Charged to                                       end
              Description                    of year    and expenses     other accounts             Deductions            of year
    --------------------------------      ----------    ------------     --------------             ----------         ----------
    Allowance for doubtful accounts;
      Year ended;
       February 22, 1997                 $22,064,000       8,851,000             -  (A)          13,109,000  (B)      $17,806,000
       February 24, 1996                  29,268,000       2,269,000             -  (A)           9,473,000  (B)       22,064,000
       February 25, 1995                  33,820,000       1,627,000       423,000  (A)           6,602,000  (B)       29,268,000


    (A) Beginning account balances of companies acquired.
    (B) Balance consists of accounts determined to be uncollectible and charged
        against reserves, net of collection on accounts previously charged off.

</TABLE> 
         

                                      23


<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
                                 -------------

                                SUPERVALU INC.
                          ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K


 EXHIBIT NUMBER                             EXHIBIT
 --------------                             -------

*(3)(i)               Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

*(3)(ii)              Bylaws, as amended.

*(4)a.                Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the Registrant
                      and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, relating to certain
                      outstanding debt securities of the Registrant.

*(4)b.                First Supplemental Indenture dated as of August 1, 1990
                      between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                      Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                      Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.

*(4)c.                Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 1, 1992
                      between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                      Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                      Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.

*(4)d.                Letter of Representations dated November 12, 1992 between
                      the Registrant, Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee, and The
                      Depository Trust Company relating to certain outstanding
                      debt securities of the Registrant.

*(4)e.                Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of September 1, 1995
                      between the Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as
                      Trustee, to Indenture dated as of July 1, 1987 between the
                      Registrant and Bankers Trust Company, as Trustee.

*(4)f.                Credit Agreement dated as of May 26, 1995 among the
                      Registrant, the Banks named therein and Citibank, N.A., as
                      Agent.

*(4)g.                Rights Agreement dated as of April 12, 1989 between the
                      Registrant and Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A., as Rights
                      Agent.

 (10)a.               SUPERVALU INC. 1993 Stock Plan, as amended.

*(10)b.               SUPERVALU INC. 1978 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, as
                      amended.

 (10)c.               SUPERVALU INC. Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.

*(10)d.               SUPERVALU INC. Directors Deferred Compensation Plan for
                      Non-Employee Directors, as amended.

 (10)e.               SUPERVALU INC. 1983 Employee Stock Option Plan, as
                      amended.

*(10)f.               SUPERVALU INC. 1989 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan.

*(10)g.               SUPERVALU INC. ERISA Excess Plan Restatement.

*(10)h.               SUPERVALU INC. Deferred Compensation Plan.





                                       1
<PAGE>
 
   *(10)i.       SUPERVALU INC. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as amended
                 and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan II.

   *(10)j.       Amendments to the SUPERVALU INC. Deferred Compensation Plan and
                 the SUPERVALU INC. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan II.

   *(10)k.       Form of Agreement used in connection with Registrant's
                 Executive Post-Retirement Survivor Benefit Program.

   *(10)l.       Forms of Change of Control Severance Agreements entered into
                 with certain officers of the Registrant.

   *(10)m.       SUPERVALU INC. Agreement and Plans Trust dated as of November
                 14, 1988.

   *(10)n.       First Amendment (dated May 7, 1991) to SUPERVALU INC.
                 Agreement and Plans Trust dated as of November 14, 1988.

   *(10)o.       SUPERVALU INC. Directors Retirement Program, as amended.

   *(10)p.       SUPERVALU INC. Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement
                 Plan.

   *(10)q.       First Amendment to SUPERVALU INC. Non-Qualified Supplemental
                 Executive Retirement Plan.

    (10)r.       SUPERVALU INC. Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended.

   *(10)s.       SUPERVALU INC. Bonus Plan for Designated Corporate Officers.

   *(10)t.       SUPERVALU INC. Non-Employee Directors Deferred Stock Plan.

    (10)u.       SUPERVALU INC. 1997 Stock Plan.

    (10)v.       Separation Agreement and General Release dated November 1, 1996
                 between Phillip A. Dabill and SUPERVALU INC.

    (12)         Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

    (13)         Portions of 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders of Registrant.

    (21)         Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

    (23)         Consent of Independent Auditors.

    (24)         Power of Attorney.

    (27)         Financial Data Schedule.

    (99.1)       Cautionary Statements pursuant to the Securities Litigation
                 Reform Act.

_________________
* Incorporated by Reference


                                       2

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)a.
                                 SUPERVALU INC.
                                1993 STOCK PLAN

 

Section 1.  Purpose.
- ------------------- 

          The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and
its stockholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining key
management personnel capable of assuring the future success of the Company, to
offer such personnel incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of
the Company's business and to afford such personnel an opportunity to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company.


Section 2.  Definitions.
- ----------------------- 

          As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

          (a)  "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and
(ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each
case as determined by the Committee.

          (b)  "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right,
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based
Award granted under the Plan.

          (c)  "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or
other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

          (d)  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

          (e)  "Committee" shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors of
the Company designated by such Board to administer the Plan, which shall consist
of members appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors and shall be
comprised of not less than such number of directors as shall be required to
permit the Plan to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3.  Each member of the
Committee shall be a "disinterested person" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
          (f)  "Company" shall mean SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, and
any successor corporation.

          (g)  "Eligible Person" shall mean any employee, officer, consultant or
independent contractor providing services to the Company or any Affiliate who
the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person.  A director of the Company
who is not also an employee of the Company or an Affiliate shall not be an
Eligible Person.

          (h)  "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any property
(including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market
value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be
established from time to time by the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares on
a given date for purposes of the Plan shall be the average of the opening and
closing sale price of the Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on
such date or, if such Exchange is not open for trading on such date, on the day
closest to such date when such Exchange is open for trading.

          (i)  "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under
Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section
422 of the Code or any successor provision.

          (j)  "Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under
Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

          (k)  "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified
Stock Option, and shall include Restoration Options.

          (l)   "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under
Section 6(f) of the Plan.

          (m)  "Participant" shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be
granted an Award under the Plan.

          (n)  "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section
6(d) of the Plan.

          (o)  "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association or trust.

          (p)  "Plan" shall mean this 1993 Stock Plan, as amended from time to
time.

          (q)  "Restoration Option" shall mean any Option granted under Section
6(a)(iv) of the Plan.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
          (r)  "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section
6(c) of the Plan.

          (s)  "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under Section
6(c) of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment
equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.

          (t)  "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities
and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
or any successor rule or regulation.

          (u)  "Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of
the Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to Awards
pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan.

          (v)  "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under
Section 6(b) of the Plan.


Section 3.  Administration.
- -------------------------- 

          (a)  Power and Authority of the Committee.  The Plan shall be
               ------------------------------------                    
administered by the Committee.  Subject to the express provisions of the Plan
and to applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to:
(i) designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be
granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares
to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are
to be calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and
conditions of any Award or Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions
of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the exercisability of Options or
the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units
or other Awards; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine
whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect
to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the
election of the holder thereof or the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer
the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the
Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and
appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration
of the Plan; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that
the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations,
determinations, interpretations and other 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the
sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final,
conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any
Award and any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.

          (b)  Delegation.  The Committee may delegate its powers and duties
               ----------                                                   
under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate or a
committee of such officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as
the Committee may establish in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the
                                                    --------  -------          
Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties under the Plan with regard to
officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section
16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

          (c)  Power and Authority of the Board of Directors.  Notwithstanding
               ---------------------------------------------                  
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board of Directors may, at any
time and from time to time, without any further action of the Committee,
exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan with regard to
any Person who is not an officer or director of the Company or any Affiliate who
is subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


Section 4.  Shares Available for Awards.
- --------------------------------------- 

          (a)  Shares Available.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section
               ----------------                                               
4(c), the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under all Awards under
the Plan shall be 3,500,000.  Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either
Shares reacquired and held in the treasury or authorized but unissued Shares.
If any Shares covered by an Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased
or are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any
Shares, then the number of Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares
available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such
forfeiture or termination, shall again be available for granting Awards under
the Plan.

          (b)  Accounting for Awards.  For purposes of this Section 4, if an
               ---------------------                                        
Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of
Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on
the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available
for granting Awards under the Plan.

          (c)  Adjustments.  In the event that the Committee shall determine
               -----------                                                  
that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares,
other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse
stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase
Shares or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction
or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the
Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan,
then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or
all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property)
which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of
Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards and
(iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award; provided,
                                                                --------
however, that the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award
- -------
relates shall always be a whole number.

          (d)  Award Limitations Under the Plan.  No Eligible Person, who is an
               --------------------------------                                
employee of the Company at the time of grant, may be granted any Option, Stock
Appreciation Right and such Other Stock Based Award (the value of which is based
solely on an increase in the value of the Shares after the date of grant) for
more than 250,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided for in Section
4(c)), taking into account all such awards granted by the Company pursuant to
any of its stock compensation plans, in any calendar year period beginning with
the period commencing January 1, 1997.  The foregoing annual limitation
specifically includes the grant of any Awards representing "qualified
performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the
Code.


Section 5.  Eligibility.
- ----------------------- 

          Any Eligible Person, including any Eligible Person who is an officer
or director of the Company or any Affiliate, shall be eligible to be designated
a Participant.  In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and
the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the
services rendered by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and
potential contributions to the success of the Company or such other factors as
the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to full or part-time
employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and
directors who are also employees) and an Incentive Stock Option shall not be
granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a
"subsidiary corporation" of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of
the Code or any successor provision.


Section 6.  Awards.
- ------------------ 

          (a)  Options.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to
               -------                                                         
Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee
shall determine:

           (i)  Exercise Price.  The purchase price per Share purchasable under
                --------------                                                 
     an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that
                                                     --------  -------      
     such purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of
     a Share on the date of grant of such Option.

          (ii)  Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be fixed by the
                -----------                                                
     Committee.

          (iii) Time and Method of Exercise.  The Committee shall determine the
                ---------------------------                                    
     time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part and
     the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without
     limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards
     or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value
     on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price) in which,
     payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to
     have been made.

          (iv)  Restoration Options.  The Committee may grant Restoration
                -------------------                                      
     Options, separately or together with another Option, pursuant to which,
     subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee and any
     applicable requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any other applicable law, the
     Participant would be granted a new Option when the payment of the exercise
     price of the option to which such Restoration Option relates is made by the
     delivery or withholding of Shares pursuant to the relevant provisions of
     the plan or agreement relating to such option, which new Option would be an
     Option to purchase the number of Shares not exceeding the sum of (A) the
     number of Shares so provided as consideration upon the exercise of the
     previously granted option to which such Restoration Option relates and (B)
     the number of Shares, if any, tendered or withheld as payment of the amount
     to be withheld under applicable tax laws in connection with the exercise of
     the option to which such Restoration Option relates pursuant to the
     relevant provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such option.
     Restoration Options may be granted with respect to options previously
     granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company, and
     may be granted in connection with any option granted under the Plan or any
     other stock option plan of the Company at the time of such grant; provided,
                                                                       -------- 
     however, that Restoration Options may not be granted with respect to any
     -------                                                                 
     option granted to a Non-Employee Director under the Company's 1983 Employee
     Stock Option Plan.

          (b)   Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Committee is hereby authorized
                -------------------------
to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants subject to the terms of the
Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted
under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon
exercise thereof the excess of (i) the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or, if the Committee
shall so determine, at any time during a specified period before or after the
date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as
specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right.
Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant
price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise, methods of settlement and
any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as
determined by the Committee. The Committee may impose such conditions or
restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem
appropriate.

          (c)    Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.  The Committee is
                 -------------------------------------------                   
hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the
Committee shall determine:

          (i)    Restrictions.  Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
                 ------------                                                  
     Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose
     (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share
     of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right or
     property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or
     in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise as
     the Committee may deem appropriate.

          (ii)   Stock Certificates.  Any Restricted Stock granted under the
                 ------------------
     Plan shall be evidenced by issuance of a stock certificate or certificates,
     which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such
     certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the
     Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms,
     conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. In the
     case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such
     Awards are granted.

          (iii)  Forfeiture; Delivery of Shares.  Except as otherwise determined
                 ------------------------------                                 
     by the Committee, upon termination of employment (as determined under
     criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction
     period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units at
     such time subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the
     Company; provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds that a
              --------  -------                                              
     waiver would be in the best interest of the Company, waive in whole or in
     part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of Restricted
     Stock or Restricted Stock Units.  Any Share representing Restricted Stock
     that is no longer subject to restrictions shall be delivered to the holder
     thereof promptly after the applicable restrictions lapse or are waived.
     Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and the restricted period relating
     to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such
     Shares shall be issued and delivered to the holders of the Restricted Stock
     Units.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
          (d)  Performance Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
               ------------------                                              
Performance Awards to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement.  A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may
be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation,
Restricted Stock), other securities, other Awards or other property and (ii)
shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive payments, in whole or in
part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such performance
periods as the Committee shall establish.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any
performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any
Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made
pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and conditions of any
Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.

          (e)  Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to
               ------------------------                                        
grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in,
valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to,
Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as
are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan;
provided, however, that such grants must comply with Rule 16b-3 and applicable
- --------  -------                                                             
law.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the
Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.  Shares or
other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this
Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by
such method or methods and in such form or forms (including without limitation,
cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property
or any combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the value of
which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than
100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date
such purchase right is granted.

          (f)  General.
               ------- 

            (i)  No Cash Consideration for Awards.  Awards shall be granted for
                 --------------------------------                              
     no cash consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be
     required by applicable law.

            (ii) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together.  Awards may, in
                 --------------------------------------------                 
     the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to,
     in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted
     under any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the Plan.  Awards
     granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or
     in tandem with awards granted under any such other plan of the Company or
     any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different
     time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          (iii)  Forms of Payment under Awards.  Subject to the terms of the
                 -----------------------------                              
     Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be
     made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of
     an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine
     (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other
     securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), and
     may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a
     deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures
     established by the Committee.  Such rules and procedures may include,
     without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable
     interest on installment or deferred payments.

          (iv)  Term of Awards.  The term of each Award shall be for such period
                --------------                                                  
     as may be determined by the Committee.

          (v)  Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing.  All certificates for
               -----------------------------------------                       
     Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award
     or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and
     other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or
     the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state securities laws,
     and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such
     certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  If the
     Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company
     shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other securities covered by
     an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been
     admitted for trading on such securities exchange.


Section 7.  Amendment and Termination; Adjustments.
- -------------------------------------------------- 

          Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise
expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:

          (a)  Amendments to the Plan.  The Board of Directors of the Company
               ----------------------                                        
may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
                                                              --------  ------- 
that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement,
without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment,
alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that,
absent such approval:

          (i)  would cause Rule 16b-3 to become unavailable with respect to the
     Plan;

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
          (ii)  would violate the rules or regulations of the New York Stock
     Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National Association of
     Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the Company; or

          (iii)  would cause the Company to be unable, under the Code, to grant
     Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

          (b)  Amendments to Awards.  The Committee may waive any conditions of
               --------------------                                            
or rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or
retroactively.  The Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, without the
consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise
herein provided.

          (c)  Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies.  The
               ----------------------------------------------------      
Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall
deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.


Section 8.  Income Tax Withholding.
- ---------------------------------- 

          In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax
laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to
ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or
other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant,
are withheld or collected from such Participant.  In order to assist a
Participant in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be
withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions
relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such
additional terms and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to
satisfy such tax obligation by (i) electing to have the Company withhold a
portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or
the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal
to the amount of such taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares other than
Shares issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions
relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such
taxes.  The election, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount
of tax to be withheld is determined.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
Section 9.  General Provisions.
- ------------------------------ 

          (a)  No Rights to Awards.  No Eligible Person, Participant or other
               -------------------                                           
Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is
no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or
holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan.  The terms and conditions of
Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to
different Participants.

          (b)  Award Agreements.  No Participant will have rights under an Award
               ----------------                                                 
granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been
duly executed on behalf of the Company.

          (c)  No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained
               -------------------------------------------                    
in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or
continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific
cases.

          (d)  No Right to Employment.  The grant of an Award shall not be
               ----------------------                                     
construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the
Company or any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company
or an Affiliate to terminate such employment at any time, with or without cause.
In addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant
from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

          (e)  Governing Law.  The validity, construction and effect of the Plan
               -------------                                                    
or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award,
shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

          (f)  Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or
               ------------                                                  
becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in
the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of
the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction
or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full
force and effect.

          (g)  No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall
               ------------------------                                       
create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a
fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or
any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive
payments from the Company or any 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of
any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

          (h)  No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or
               --------------------                                          
delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine
whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such
fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or
otherwise eliminated.

          (i)  Headings.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of
               --------                                                        
the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall
not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or
interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.


Section 10.  Effective Date of the Plan.
- --------------------------------------- 

          The Plan shall be effective as of April 14, 1993, subject to approval
by the stockholders of the Company within one year thereafter.


Section 11.  Term of the Plan.
- ----------------------------- 

          Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or terminated as provided
in Section 7(a), the Plan shall terminate on April 13, 2003.  No Award shall be
granted after the termination of the Plan.  However, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore
granted may extend beyond the termination of the Plan, and the authority of the
Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards, and
the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall
extend beyond the termination of the Plan.


Amended 4/9/97

                                      -12-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)c.
                        EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN


                               I.  INTRODUCTION
                                   ------------

The intent of the SUPERVALU Executive Incentive Bonus Plan is to provide a means
by which the successful performance of the Corporation's major business groups,
specific profit centers, and individual managers can be rewarded.

Each individual who participates in the plan will be aware of his or her bonus
opportunity and the factors that impact this opportunity.  The bonus plan
provides for a wide range of bonus opportunities, from an unsatisfactory
individual performance level which generates no award, to an outstanding
individual and organization performance level which would provide a significant
bonus payment, up to the maximum bonus percent provided under the terms of the
plan.

The continued profitability and growth of SUPERVALU is vital to all of its
employees.  Through this plan, the Company is providing a means to reward those
who are instrumental in achieving those goals.


                       II.  INCENTIVE BONUS PLAN SUMMARY
                            ----------------------------

The SUPERVALU Executive Incentive Bonus Plan is designed to reward participating
employees for their contributions to the continued growth and profitability of
the Corporation.

Plan Features
- -------------

1.    For each fiscal year, a bonus opportunity, or norm, expressed as a
      percentage of base salary dollars, is established for each participant in
      the program.

2.    The bonus award is comprised of an individual portion which is determined
      by the participant's job performance against specified objectives, and an
      organizational (e.g., profit center and/or centers or total corporation)
      portion which is determined by financial performance against both pre-
      established budget and growth objectives.  The corporate participants'
      awards are based solely on performance improvement over the prior year.

3.    The participant who meets satisfactory individual performance levels and
      whose organization, (e.g., profit center(s) or the total corporation)
      meets its objectives, would typically receive a "norm" bonus award. Higher
      or lower individual or organization performance will result in a higher or
      lower bonus award.

4.    The funds for bonus payments are provided out of the earnings of the
      Corporation, after a fair return to the stockholders has been assured.
<PAGE>
 
                      III. ELIGIBILITY AND DETERMINATION
                           -----------------------------

                             OF BONUS OPPORTUNITY
                             --------------------

1.   Eligibility
     -----------

     This SUPERVALU plan is designed to include executive and management
     positions which have a significant impact on Company operating and
     administrative performance levels.  The determination of "significant
     impact" is based on the Company's position evaluation plan with approval
     for plan participation to be granted by the appropriate Executive Vice
     President and the Sr. Vice President, Human Resources.

2.   Determination of Individual Bonus Norms
     ---------------------------------------

     Each management position has been evaluated and assigned a specific point
     value, based on the position content in terms of know-how, problem-solving
     and accountability.  Every position in the incentive plan has a percent
     figure (bonus norm) assigned to it for the purpose of calculating the
     initial bonus opportunity.

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

          Example only:
          ------------ 

          Point                            Bonus Norm (as a
          Evaluation                      Percent of Salary)
          ----------                      ------------------
          <S>                                    <C> 
          Below 900 points                       10%
          900 - 940 points                       11%
          941 - 981 points                       12%
           etc.

</TABLE> 

     Every participant will be informed of their position's point value and
     corresponding bonus norm.  Each participant's fiscal year earnings are
     multiplied by the bonus norm percent to determine his or her individual
     bonus opportunity.  If a participant is promoted to a bonus position at
     some point during the fiscal year, only earnings after the date of
     promotion will be used in the calculation.

Example of Bonus Norm Calculation:
- --------------------------------- 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
           (A)        (B)       Bonus Norm Amount
       Fiscal Year   Bonus          (A) x (B)
        Earnings     Norm %       Dollar Amount
       -----------   ------     -----------------
        <S>           <C>            <C>   
        $55,000       10%            $ 5,500
 
        $60,000       10%            $ 6,000
 
        $75,000       11%            $ 8,250
 
        $85,000       12%            $10,200
 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
 
                         IV. STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE
                             ------------------------

Before the beginning of each fiscal year, financial performance objectives are
established; these will be used as the primary standards against which actual
performance will be compared.  Bonus amounts are calculated according to the
procedure detailed later in this booklet and are subject to Board of Director
approval before there will be any payout.  Bonus funds not utilized are returned
to earnings.  There is no carryover to subsequent years.  The following is an
explanation of the process.

1.   Corporate Objectives
     --------------------

     A net profit growth objective is established which represents the
     performance standard for the Corporation which, if achieved, produces a
     bonus award at the norm level.  At year end, the actual corporate
     performance is  calculated relative to this objective.  The bonus award
     payable to corporate staff participants will vary annually, depending on
     the actual corporate results as these results relate to the previous year's
     profit performance.

2.   Profit Center Objectives
     ------------------------

     Also before the start of each fiscal year, financial objectives are
     established for each separate profit center and become standards of
     performance for the year.  At year end, profit center results are
     calculated as a percentage of objectives established.  The bonus award
     payable to profit center participants will vary, depending on the actual
     results that are achieved.

3.   Individual Performance
     ----------------------

     As shown below, an individual's job performance is part of the
     determination of bonus awards.
     A factor based on an assessment of individual job performance against
     specified objectives will be determined for each participant according to
     the guidelines shown on page 10.

4.   Award Makeup
     ------------

     The incentive award heavily emphasizes organization performance
     particularly in the case of corporate officers and profit center
     presidents.  Certain corporate jobs, highly measurable relative to
     individual performance against objectives, will be equally weighted between
     organizational and individual performance.  Most positions at both the
     profit center and corporate staff level will have awards weighted toward
     organization performance but with a significant individual performance
     component.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                              Corporate Positions
                              -------------------

                                   Portion of Award Based on:
 
                                      Corporate        Individual    
                                       Results         Performance
                                      ---------        -----------
<S>                                     <C>                <C> 
Corporate Officers                      90%                10%

Most Other Positions                    75%                25%

Product Directors, etc.                 50%                50%
 
                              Profit Center Positions
                              -----------------------
 
                                   Portion of Award Based on:

<CAPTION> 
 
                                   Profit Center       Individual
                                     Results           Performance
                                   -------------       -----------
<S>                                   <C>                 <C>  
Profit Center Presidents              80-90%              10-20%
Profit Center Staff                   75-80%              20-25%

</TABLE>

                              POINTS OF EMPHASIS
                              ------------------

Two points should be emphasized regarding the calculation of bonus awards:

     1.   Profit center and Corporate operating results will reflect equally on
          the awards of all members of a respective profit center or business
          group.

     2.   The organization and individual portions of a bonus will be adjusted
          independently of each other, subject only to the overall total bonus
          fund limitation and to the minimum and maximum conditions stated
          later.
<PAGE>
 
                             V. BONUS CALCULATIONS
                                ------------------
1.   Individual Awards
     -----------------

     As indicated previously 10% to 50% of a participant's bonus potential,
     depending on position, will be based on individual performance.  Individual
     awards can range from 80% to 175% of the individual award portion of the
     norm.  The adjustment guide below provides the appropriate individual award
     adjustment factor for specific levels of performance against established
     objectives.  Only the numbers listed below should be used as adjustment
     factors.

                            INDIVIDUAL BONUS AWARD
                               ADJUSTMENT GUIDE
                               ----------------

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 


                                                          Adjustment
Definition                                                   Guide
- ----------                                                ----------
<S>                                                       <C> 
Outstanding - during the year the individual              1.60 - 1.75
showed effort, skill, and achievement seldom seen,
greatly exceeding objectives and expectations.
 
Excellent - the individual far exceeded                       1.40
expectations and objectives.
 
Very Good - the individual exceeded expectations              1.20
and performance objectives.
 
Good - met expectations and objectives.                       1.00
 
Fair - did not totally meet performance                        .80
objectives and expectations, but came
reasonably close.
 
Unacceptable - immediate corrective action is               No Bonus
required if individual is to remain in the assignment.
 
New employee (less than 6 months on the job.              No More Than
Too soon to evaluate)                                         1.00

</TABLE>

2.   Organization Awards
     -------------------

     Organization award adjustments are based on performance against financial
     objectives and the previous year's performance for certain of the financial
     factors. In determining the organization award, these points will be
     observed:

     A.   Appropriate financial factors for the fiscal year will be selected and
          weighted according to the emphasis to be placed on these factors for
          the year.  Net profit growth will normally be the primary financial
          factor.  In addition sales and/or a return measure may also be
          included as additional bonus factors.  These factors and their
          weightings may change from year to year, or from profit center to
          profit center, depending on business unit or corporate strategic
          business plans.

     B.   The relationship of financial performance variance from the financial
          performance objective(s) to the actual bonus award payout or
          adjustment will be illustrated on the payout curve that will be
          provided to each participant for each fiscal year.  In this manner,
          the adjustment varies (up or down) as actual performance varies from
          the objective.

     C.   Normally the previous year's net profit performance will serve as the
          threshold performance required before any bonus will be paid at the
          corporate level.

     D.   Some plan participants may have their bonus based on the results of
          multiple profit centers.  This will typically be the case where
          management decides to emphasize teamwork between profit centers.


          ----------------------------------------------------------------------

          The specifics of the organization award (profit center makeup,
          financial factors, and the weighting thereof) and the payout curve for
          a given year are distributed separately to participants as a
          supplement to this booklet.
        
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                     EXAMPLE BONUS CALCULATION
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       INDIVIDUAL AWARD  (25%)                               ORGANIZATION AWARD  (75%)
                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         Profit Center
             Annual                                 Performance   Individual             Performance      Organizational     Total
Employee     Salary     Norm %   Norm $    Norm     Factor        Award         Norm     Factor            Award             Award
             Earnings                                                                  
  <S>        <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>           <C>           <C>      <C>               <C>               <C> 
  A          $70,000    10%      $ 7,000   $1,750    .80*         $1,400        $5,250   1.10**            $5,775            $ 7,175

 
 
  B          $90,000    15%      $13,500   $3,375   1.00*         $3,375        $10,125  1.10**           $11,138            $14,513


</TABLE> 
 
*   Individual factors will vary according to individual performance
 
**  The Profit Center Performance Factor affects all profit center participants
    equally.


                  INCENTIVE BONUS CONCEPT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL
                  ------------------------------------------

 
                              ------------------
 
                                    Salary
                                   Earnings

                              ------------------
 
                                     times
 
                              ------------------ 

                                    Norm %

                              ------------------
 

                              ------------------

                                    equals

                              ------------------


                              ------------------
 
                                     Bonus
                                    Norm $

                              ------------------
 
                                    (Split)
 
- --------------------------------                --------------------------------

        Organization                                      Individual
          Norm  %                                           Norm %

- --------------------------------                --------------------------------
 
 Times the Organizational* Factor                   Times the Individual
 Based on Performance Equals                        Adjustment Factor Equals

- --------------------------------                --------------------------------
                                      
        Organization*                                     Individual 
          Award $                                           Award $

- --------------------------------                --------------------------------



                              ------------------ 

                                     TOTAL
                                    Award $

                              ------------------
 
*  Home Office plan participants will have their organization award determined
   by overall corporate performance; profit center plan participants will have
   their organization award determined primarily by profit center performance
   but may also include corporate or other "roll-up" results. Some positions
   will be rewarded on the basis of more than one profit center's performance.
<PAGE>
 
                            VI. MINIMUM CONDITIONS
                                ------------------

The following limitations shall apply to bonus award payments:

     1.   If an individual's performance does not merit an individual award,
          he/she shall also be ineligible to receive an organization award.

     2.   If an organization's profit performance is below that organization's
          minimum payout threshold, there shall be no organization awards to
          that organization's members, but they may receive individual awards.

                        VII. DISCRETIONARY ADJUSTMENTS
                             -------------------------

The Board of Directors of SUPERVALU has granted the Chief Executive Officer the
right to make discretionary adjustments, either upward or downward, to incentive
bonus awards.  Typically, the Chief Executive Officer exercises this right after
having reviewed recommended awards and after consulting with supervisors of the
individuals affected.

                        VIII. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT
                              -------------------------

In the event of employment termination prior to the end of the fiscal year
(except for retirement, death or disability), participants will not be eligible
for an Incentive Bonus award for that fiscal year.  Nothing in this plan is to
be construed as an employment agreement between participants and the Company,
and each employee's employment and compensation can be terminated with or
without cause at anytime at the option of the company or the employee.  If
employment is terminated prior to the end of the fiscal year, eligibility for an
award also terminates.  Until an award has been approved by the Board of
Directors and actually paid, no employee shall have any claim nor have earned
any right to an award.

                       IX.  PLAN CHANGE AND TERMINATION
                            ---------------------------

The Company reserves the right in its sole and absolute discretion to modify,
change, or discontinue the plan with or without notice at any time.


                              X.  TIME OF PAYMENT
                                  ---------------

Availability of funds for this program depend on completion of necessary
accounting work at the close of the fiscal year.  Awards cannot be made until
final financial figures are available and are entered into the calculations.
The final awards are in turn approved by the Board of Directors.  Typically,
this does not occur until mid-April.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)e.

                                SUPERVALU INC.
                        1983 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

          1.   PURPOSE.  The purpose of this Plan is to promote the interests of
SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), and its stockholders
by encouraging selected key salaried management employees of the Corporation,
and members of the Board of Directors who are not also employees of the
Corporation, to invest in shares of the Corporation's Common Stock with the
increased personal interest and effort in the continued success and progress of
the business that stock ownership can produce, and by providing additional means
of attracting and retaining competent executive personnel and directors.

          2.   ADMINISTRATION; GRANTING OF OPTIONS.  The Plan shall be
administered by the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

          The Board of Directors shall have full authority in its discretion,
but subject to the express provisions of the Plan, to:

               (a)  determine the purchase price of the Common Stock covered by
each option;

               (b)  determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which
options shall be granted;

               (c)  determine the number of shares to be subject to each option;

               (d)  determine terms and provisions (and amendments thereof) of
the respective option agreements (which need not be identical), including such
terms and provisions (and amendments) as shall be required in the judgment of
the Board to conform to any law or regulation applicable thereto;

               (e)  determine which options shall be Incentive Stock Options
within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code");

               (f)  accelerate the time at which all or any part of an option
may be exercised;

               (g)  modify or amend any outstanding option agreement subject to
the consent of optionee;

                                      -1-
<PAGE>
 
               (h)  interpret the Plan and prescribe, amend and rescind rules
and regulations relating to it;

               (i)  make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable
for the administration of the Plan.

     All decisions, determinations and selections made by the Board of Directors
on the foregoing matters shall be conclusive.

     The granting of an option pursuant to the Plan shall be effective only when
an option is duly awarded to an employee or director by the Board of Directors.

     The Executive Committee of the Corporation, in addition to and not to the
exclusion of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, is authorized to
exercise all of the powers authorized and conferred by the Plan on the Board of
Directors other than the power under Section 12 of this Plan to terminate and
amend the Plan.

     The Board of Directors may also authorize, at any time, the formation of a
Stock Option Committee (the "Committee"), consisting of three or more members
appointed from time to time by the Board, which Committee would have authority
to exercise the powers conferred on the Board under the Plan, other than the
power under Section 12 herein to terminate and amend the Plan.  In addition, the
Board of Directors may authorize, at any time, the Chief Executive Officer of
the Corporation to extend the period of exercise of certain Incentive Stock
Options and non-incentive (non-qualified) stock options in accordance with the
provisions set forth in the option agreement.

     3.   ELIGIBILITY; FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN GRANTING STOCK OPTIONS.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to key salaried management employees
(which term, as used herein, includes officers) of the Corporation and of its
present and future subsidiary corporations.  Options which do not qualify as
Incentive Stock Options may be granted to key salaried management employees of
the Corporation and of its present and future subsidiary corporations and to
members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation who are not also employees
of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries ("Non-Employee Directors"),
provided, however, that options shall be granted to Non-Employee Directors only
pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

     In determining the employees to whom options shall be granted and the
number of shares to be covered by each such option, the Board of Directors may
take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective
employees, their present and potential contributions to the success of the
Corporation and such other factors as the Board of Directors, in its discretion,
shall deem relevant.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to the provisions of Section 10 herein, an employee who has been
granted an option under the Plan or under any prior stock option plan of the
Corporation may be granted an additional option or options under the Plan if the
Board of Directors shall so determine.

     4.   SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.  Subject to adjustment as provided in
Section 11 herein:

          (a) the stock to be offered under the Plan shall be shares of the
Corporation's authorized Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, which may be
either shares reacquired and held in the treasury of the Corporation or
authorized but unissued shares; and

          (b) the aggregate number of shares which may be issued under all
options granted pursuant to the Plan shall be 4,500,000 shares.

     Shares subject to, but not issued under, any option terminating or expiring
for any reason prior to exercise thereof in full shall again be available for
other options thereafter granted under the Plan.

     5.   TERM OF PLAN AND OF EACH OPTION AGREEMENT; EXERCISE OF OPTIONS.  The
period during which options may be granted under the Plan shall expire February
7, 1999.  The term of each option so granted shall expire not more than ten
years from the date the option is granted.

     The Board of Directors may determine at the time of granting whether
each such option is exercisable in full, in part from time to time or in
installments, which may be cumulative from year to year during such term to the
extent not exercised in a prior year; provided, however, that notwithstanding
the foregoing, from and after a Change of Control (as hereinafter defined), all
options granted under the Plan, including options granted to Non-Employee
Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, shall become immediately exercisable to
the full extent of the original award.  As used herein, "Change of Control"
shall mean any of the following events:

          (i)  The acquisition by any person, entity or "group", within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act"), other than the Corporation or any of its
wholly-owned subsidiaries, or any employee benefit plan of the Corporation
and/or one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, of beneficial ownership
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or
more of either the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined
voting power of the Corporation's then outstanding voting securities in a
transaction or series of transactions not approved in 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
advance by a vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (as
hereinafter defined); or

          (ii)   Individuals who, as of April 13, 1988, constitute the Board of
Directors of the Corporation (generally the "Directors" and as of April 13, 1988
the "Continuing Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a Director subsequent to
April 13, 1988 whose nomination for election was approved in advance by a vote
of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (other than a nomination
of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an
actual or threatened solicitation with respect to the election or removal of the
Directors of the Corporation, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) shall be deemed to be a Continuing
Director; or

          (iii)  The approval by the stockholders of the Corporation of a
reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the
Corporation or of the sale (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation other
than a reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or sale
approved in advance by a vote of at least three quarters of the Continuing
Directors; or

          (iv)   The first purchase under any tender offer or exchange offer
(other than an offer by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries) pursuant to
which shares of Common Stock are purchased.

     Options granted under this Plan need not be identical with respect to the
terms of exercise thereof.  Subject only to the foregoing limitations, options
may be exercised in whole at any time or in part from time to time during the
option term by serving written notice of exercise on the Corporation,
accompanied by payment of the purchase price.

     The Board of Directors or the Committee, as the case may be, may grant
"restoration" options, separately or together with another option, pursuant to
which, subject to the terms and conditions established by the Board of Directors
or the Committee, as the case may be, and any applicable requirements of Rule
16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any other applicable law, the
optionee would be granted a new option when the payment of the exercise price of
the option to which such "restoration" option relates is made by the delivery of
shares of the Corporation's Common Stock owned by the optionee, as described in
Section 6 hereof, which new option would be an option to purchase the number of
shares not exceeding the sum of (a) the number of shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock tendered as payment upon the exercise of the option to which such
"restoration" option relates and (b) the number of shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock, if any, tendered as payment of the amount to be withheld under
applicable income tax laws in connection with the exercise of the 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
option to which such "restoration" option relates, as described in Section 14
hereof. "Restoration" options may be granted with respect to options previously
granted under this Plan or any prior stock option plan of the Corporation, and
may be granted in connection with any option granted under this Plan (other than
an option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to Section 7 hereof) at
the time of such grant. The purchase price of the Common Stock under each such
new option, and the other terms and conditions of such option, shall be
determined by the Board of Directors or the Committee, as the case may be,
consistent with the provisions of the Plan.

     6.   OPTION PRICES.  Except with respect to options granted to Non-Employee
Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the purchase price of the Common Stock
under each option shall be determined by the Board of Directors, but shall not
be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock at the time of
granting the option as found by the Board.

     The purchase price of the shares as to which an option shall be exercised
shall be paid in full in cash at the time of exercise as shall be provided in
the option agreement, and any optionee, without limitation, shall also be
entitled to pay the exercise price by tendering to the Corporation shares of the
Corporation's Common Stock, previously owned by the optionee, having a fair
market value on the date of exercise equal to the option price (or the portion
thereof not paid in cash).

     7.   OPTIONS TO NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS.  The Board of Directors or the
Committee, as the case may be, shall issue options which do not qualify as
Incentive Stock Options to Non-Employee Directors in accordance with this
Section 7.

     Each Non-Employee Director serving on the Corporation's Board of Directors
immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Corporation on
June 30, 1992 shall be granted, as of June 30, 1992, an option to purchase 3,000
shares of Common Stock.  Each Non-Employee Director first elected or appointed
to the Corporation's Board of Directors after June 30, 1992 and during the term
of the Plan shall be granted, as of the date of such Director's first election
or appointment to the Board of Directors, an option to purchase 3,000 shares of
Common Stock.  After the initial grant to each Non-Employee Director as set
forth above in this Section 7, each such Director shall be granted during the
term of the Plan, as of the date of the Corporation's Annual Meeting of
Stockholders in each even-numbered year, if such Director's term of office
continues after such Annual Meeting, an option to purchase 3,000 shares
of Common Stock.

     Each option granted to a Non-Employee Director pursuant to this Section 7
shall have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares of
Common Stock as of the date of grant and shall expire on the tenth anniversary
of the date of grant.  "Restoration" options may not be granted to any Non-
Employee Director.  This Section 7 shall not be amended more than once every six
months other than to comport with 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
changes in the Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the rules
and regulations thereunder.

     8.   ADDITIONAL TERMS.  Options granted under the Plan shall not be
affected by any change of duties or position so long as the optionee continues
to be an employee of the Corporation or of a subsidiary (or continues to be a
Director of the Corporation in the case of any Non-Employee Director).  Each
option agreement may contain such provisions as the Board of Directors shall
approve with reference to the effect of approved leaves of absence, provided
that with respect to Incentive Stock Options such provisions conform to the
requirements of the Code.

     Nothing in the Plan or in any option granted pursuant thereto shall confer
on any person any right to continue in the employ of the Corporation or of any
of its subsidiaries (or to continue as a Director of the Corporation in the case
of any Non-Employee Director)  or affect, in any way, the right of the
Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to terminate his employment (or to
terminate his directorship in the case of any Non-Employee Director) at any
time.

     No optionee, who is an employee of the Corporation at the time of grant,
may be granted any option or options for more than 250,000 Shares (subject to
adjustment as provided for in Section 11), taking into account all such awards
granted by the Corporation pursuant to any of its stock compensation plans, in
any calendar year period beginning with the period commencing January 1, 1997.
The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any options
representing "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code.

     9.  DEATH; OTHER TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR DIRECTORSHIP.  Each option
agreement shall include provisions governing the disposition of an option in the
event of the retirement, disability, death or other termination of the
employment or directorship of an optionee with the Corporation or an Affiliate.

     10.  INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS.  Except with respect to options granted to
Non-Employee Directors pursuant to Section 7 hereof, the Board of Directors is
hereby authorized to determine, upon the granting of each option, whether such
option shall be an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code or shall
be an option which is not an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422.  For
Incentive Stock Options granted before January 1, 1987, the aggregate fair
market value of the stock (determined as of the time the Incentive Stock Option
is granted) covered under all Incentives Stock Options granted (under this Plan
and all other incentive stock option plans of the Corporation or any
subsidiary), in any calendar year, shall not exceed $100,000 plus any unused
limit carry-over (as provided under former Section 422(c)(4) of the Code
effective for options granted before January 1, 1987).  For Incentive Stock
Options granted after December 31, 1986, the aggregate fair market value
(determined at the time the Incentive 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Stock Option is granted) of the stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock
Options are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar
year (under all plans described in subsection (b) of Section 422 of the Code of
his employer corporation and its parent and subsidiary corporations) shall not
exceed $100,000.

     11.  ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.  Notwithstanding any other
provision of the Plan, the Board of Directors may adjust the number and class of
shares subject to each outstanding option and the option prices in the event of
changes in the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation by reason of stock
dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations, mergers, consolidations, combinations
or exchanges of shares and the like. In the event of any such change in the
outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation, the aggregate number and class of
shares available under the Plan shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of
Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive.

     12.  TERMINATION AND AMENDMENT.  The Plan may be terminated, modified or
amended by the stockholders of the Corporation.

     Subject to Section 7 hereof, the Board of Directors of the Corporation may
also terminate the Plan or make such modifications or amendments thereof as it
shall deem advisable, or to conform to any change in any law or regulation
applicable thereto; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may not,
without further approval by the holders of a majority of the outstanding stock
of the Corporation having general voting power, make any modification or
amendment which operates:

          (a)  to make any material change in the class of employees eligible to
receive Incentive Stock Options as defined in Section 3 above; and

          (b)  to increase the total number of shares for which options may be
granted under the Plan, except as resulting from the operation of Section 11
above.

     No termination, modification or amendment of the Plan may, without the
consent of the employee to whom any option shall theretofore have been granted,
adversely affect the rights of such employee under such option.

     13.  EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.  The Plan shall become effective February
23, 1983, subject to approval by the shareholders of the Corporation within 12
months thereafter.

     14.  TAX WITHHOLDING.  Subject to such rules as the Board of Directors or
the Committee may adopt not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan:

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
          (a)  At any time when an optionee is required to pay the Corporation
an amount required to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection
with the exercise of an option which does not qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option under Section 422 of the Code, the optionee may elect to have the
Corporation retain from the distribution shares of Common Stock to satisfy this
obligation in whole or in part (an "Election"). The shares to be withheld shall
be valued at 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date that the
amount of tax required to be paid shall be determined (the "Tax Date"). Fair
market value of the shares shall equal the mean of the opening and closing trade
prices of the shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on the Tax Date,
or, if no trading in the shares occurs on the Tax Date, on the immediately
preceding trading date.

          (b)  Each election must be made prior to the Tax Date.  The Board or
the Committee may disapprove of any Election, may suspend or terminate the right
to make Elections, may limit the amount of any Election, may provide at the time
of grant with respect to any option that the right to make Elections shall not
apply to such option and may make rules concerning the required information to
be included in any Election.  An Election is irrevocable.

          (c)  The Election may be made in an amount equal to the amount of tax
required by law to be withheld with respect to the option exercise.  Any
fractional share withholding amount must be paid in cash.

          (d)  If an optionee makes an Election and the optionee's Tax Date is
deferred for six months from the date of exercise of the option, the optionee
will initially receive the full amount of the shares, but will be
unconditionally obligated to surrender to the Corporation on the Tax Date the
proper number of shares to satisfy the withholding obligation, plus cash for any
remainder of the withholding obligation including any fractional shares
withholding amount.

          (e)  Optionees who are "officers" or "directors" of the Corporation,
as those terms are used in Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, may only make an
Election in compliance with the rules established by the Board or the Committee
to comply with Section 16(b).



Amended 2/8/95
Amended 2/14/96
Amended 4/9/97

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)r.
                                 SUPERVALU INC.
                            LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN


SECTION I.  ESTABLISHMENT

       On February 12, 1992, the Board of Directors of SUPERVALU INC. (the
"Company"), upon recommendation by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee
(the "Committee"), approved an incentive plan for executives as described
herein, which plan shall be known as the "SUPERVALU INC. Long-Term Incentive
Plan" (the "Plan"). The Plan shall be submitted for approval by the stockholders
of the Company at the 1992 annual meeting of stockholders. The Plan shall be
effective as of February 12, 1992, subject to its approval by the stockholders
of the Company, and no shares shall be issued pursuant to the Plan until after
the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company.

SECTION II. PURPOSE

       The purpose of the Plan is to advance the interests of the Company and
its stockholders by attracting and retaining key employees, and by stimulating
the efforts of such employees to contribute to the continued success and
progress of the business. The Plan is further intended to provide such employees
with an opportunity to increase their ownership of the Company's common stock
with the increased personal interest in the long-term success of the business
that such stock ownership can produce.

SECTION III.  ADMINISTRATION

       3.1  Composition of the Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the
            ----------------------------                                        
Committee, which shall consist of members appointed from time to time by the
Board of Directors and shall be comprised of not less than such number of
directors as shall be required to permit the Plan to satisfy the requirements of
Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or any
successor rule or regulation ("Rule 16b-3").  All members of the Committee shall
be members of the Board of Directors of the Company who are "disinterested
persons" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3.  To the extent required by Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (such statute, as it may
be amended from time to time and all proposed, temporary or final Treasury
Regulations promulgated thereunder shall be referred to as the "Code"), the
Committee administering the Plan shall be composed solely of "outside directors"
within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.

       3.2  Power and Authority of the Committee. The Committee shall have full
            ------------------------------------                               
power and authority, subject to all the applicable provisions of the Plan and
applicable law, to (a) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and
regulations and appoint such agents as 

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
it deems necessary or advisable for the proper administration of the Plan, 
(b) construe, interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement
relating to, or Award (as defined below in Section 4.2) made under, the Plan,
and (c) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or
advisable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan, each determination made and each action taken by the
Committee pursuant to the Plan or any instrument or agreement relating to, or
Award made under, the Plan shall be (x) within the sole discretion of the
Committee, (y) may be made at any time and (z) shall be final, binding and
conclusive for all purposes on all persons, including, but not limited to,
holders of Awards, and their legal representatives and beneficiaries, and
employees of the Company or of any "Affiliate" of the Company. For purposes of
the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the
Plan, the term "Affiliate" shall mean any entity that, directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and any entity
in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as
determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

       3.3  Delegation.  The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under
            ----------                                                         
the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate or a committee
of such officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the
Committee may establish in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the
Committee shall not delegate its power to amend the Plan as provided in Section
XI hereof and shall not delegate its power to make determinations regarding
officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section
16 of the Exchange Act.

SECTION IV. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

       4.1  Eligibility.  The Plan is unfunded and is maintained by the Company
            -----------                                                        
for a select group of management or highly compensated employees. In order to be
eligible to participate in the Plan, an employee of the Company or of its
Affiliates must be selected by the Committee.  In determining the employees who
will participate in the Plan, the Committee may take into account the nature of
the services rendered by the respective employees, their present and potential
contributions to the success of the Company and such other factors as the
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall deem relevant.  A director of the
Company or of an Affiliate who is not also an employee of the Company or an
Affiliate shall not be eligible to participate in the Plan.

       4.2  Participation.  The Committee shall determine the employees to be
            -------------                                                    
granted an award opportunity (the "Award"), the amount of each Award, the time
or times when Awards will be made, the period of time over which such Awards are
intended to be earned, and all other terms and conditions of each Award. The
provisions of the Awards need not be the same with respect to any recipient of
an Award (the "Participant") or with respect to different Participants. The
Committee's decision to approve an Award to an employee in any year shall not
require the Committee to approve a similar Award or any Award at all to that
employee or any other employee or person at any future date. The Company and the

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Committee shall not have any obligation for uniformity of treatment of any
person, including, but not limited to, Participants and their legal
representatives and beneficiaries and employees of the Company or of any
Affiliate of the Company.

       4.3  Award Agreement.  Any employee selected for participation by the
            ---------------                                                 
Committee shall, as a condition of participation, execute and return to the
Committee a written agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of the
Award (the "Award Agreement"). A separate Award Agreement will be entered into
between the Company and each Participant for each Award.

       4.4  Employment.  In the absence of any specific agreement to the
            ----------                                                  
contrary, no Award to a Participant under the Plan shall affect any right of the
Company, or of any Affiliate of the Company, to terminate, with or without
cause, the Participant's employment at any time.

SECTION V.  SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

       5.1  Shares Subject to Plan.  Subject to adjustment as provided in
            ----------------------                                       
Section 5.3 hereof, the maximum number of shares or units equivalent to shares
with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed in
the aggregate 750,000 shares (the "Shares") of the Company's Common Stock, $1.00
par value (the "Common Stock"). The payment of cash dividends or dividend
equivalents in conjunction with an Award shall not be counted against the Shares
available for grant. Shares to be issued pursuant to the Plan shall be made
available from treasury, from authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, or
from shares reacquired by the Company, including shares purchased in the open
market. For purposes of this Section V, the maximum number of Shares to which an
Award relates shall be counted on the date such Award was made against the
aggregate number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.

       5.2  Reacquired Shares.  If any Shares to which an Award relates are
            -----------------                                              
forfeited, or if an Award is otherwise canceled or terminated or expires without
delivery of the maximum number of Shares (or cash for the maximum number of
Shares) to which such Award relates, then the number of Shares with respect to
such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture, cancellation, termination or
expiration, shall again be available for grant under the Plan.

       5.3  Adjustments Upon Chances In Capitalization.  In the event that the
            ------------------------------------------                        
Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in
the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities or other property), stock
split, reverse stock split, reorganization, recapitalization, merger,
consolidation, combination, split-up, spin-off, repurchase or exchange of Common
Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights
to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar
corporate transaction or event affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment
is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan, then the Committee may make such adjustments, if any, as it may
deem appropriate in the aggregate number of and class of Shares (or other
securities or other property) issuable pursuant to Section 5.1 and pursuant to
any outstanding Award under the Plan. The Committee's determination of such
adjustments shall be final, binding and conclusive.

SECTION VI. AWARDS

       6.1  General.  The Committee shall determine the Award or Awards to be
            -------                                                          
made to each Participant, and each Award shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. An Award may be made
in the form of Shares or in the form of units equivalent to Shares (the "Stock
Units"). Awards may be granted singly or in combination, or in addition to, in
tandem with or in substitution for any grants or rights under any employee or
compensation plan of the Company or of any Affiliate. All or part of an Award
may be subject to conditions and forfeiture provisions established by the
Committee, and set forth in the Award Agreement, which may include, but are not
limited to, continuous service with the Company or an Affiliate, achievement of
specific business objectives, and other measurement of individual, business unit
or Company performance.

       6.2  Award of Shares.  If an Award is granted in the form of Shares,
            ---------------                                                
certificates representing the Shares shall be issued in the name of the
Participant, but may be retained in the custody of the Company and may be
legended to indicate restriction on transferability ("Restricted Stock") until
the Participant has met designated performance and/or length of employment
requirements, if any, and the determination of the number of Shares, if any,
that are to be forfeited pursuant to the terms of the Award is made. Until such
time as all restrictions are removed, Restricted Stock shall not be
transferable.

       6.3  Award of Stock Units.  If an Award is granted in the form of Stock
            --------------------                                              
Units, no certificates shall be issued with respect to such Stock Units, but the
Company shall maintain a bookkeeping account in the name of the Participant to
which the Stock Units shall relate. Each Stock Unit shall represent the right to
receive a payment of one Share, or cash of equivalent value to the "fair market
value" of the Company's Common Stock at the time payment is made, or a
continuing Stock Unit, or other Awards, or a combination thereof, with such
restrictions and conditions as the Committee may determine in its sole
discretion, including, but not limited to, the restriction of such Shares as
Restricted Stock. For purposes of the Plan, "fair market value" shall be
determined by such methods or procedures as may be established from time to time
by the Committee in its sole discretion.

       6.4  Voting Rights, Dividends and Dividend Equivalents.  The Committee,
            -------------------------------------------------                 
in its sole discretion, may provide that Awards of Shares may contain voting
rights and may earn dividends and that any Award may earn dividend equivalents.
Such dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid currently or may be credited
to an account established by the Committee under the Plan in the name of the
Participant. Any crediting of dividend or dividend equivalents may be subject to
such restrictions and conditions as the Committee 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
may establish in its sole discretion, including reinvestment in additional
shares or share equivalents.

       6.5  Payment of Awards.  Payment of Awards may be made at such times,
            -----------------                                               
with such restrictions and conditions, and in such forms (cash, stock, including
Restricted Stock, Stock Units, other Awards, or combinations thereof) as the
Committee in its sole discretion may determine at the time of grant of the
Awards.

       6.6  Securities Matters.  No Shares shall be issued under the Plan prior
            ------------------                                                 
to such time as counsel to the Company shall have determined that the issuance
and delivery of such Shares will not violate any federal or state securities or
other laws. Participants may be required by the Company, as a condition to the
grant of an Award or the issuance of Shares under the Plan, to agree in writing
that all Shares to be acquired pursuant to the Plan shall be held for his or her
own account without a view to any further distribution thereof, that the
certificates for the Shares shall bear an appropriate legend to that effect, and
that such Shares will not be transferred or disposed of except in compliance
with applicable federal and state laws. The Company may, in its sole discretion,
defer the effectiveness of any Award or the payment of any Award under the Plan
in order to allow the issuance of Shares pursuant thereto to be made pursuant to
registration or an exemption from registration or other methods for compliance
available under federal or state securities laws. The Company shall be under no
obligation to effect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, of any Shares to be issued under the Plan or to effect similar
compliance under any state law. If Shares are traded on a securities exchange,
the Company shall not be required to deliver to the Participant certificates
representing any Shares unless and until such Shares have been admitted for
trading on such securities exchange.

       6.7  Qualified Performance -Based Compensation.  From time to time, the
            -----------------------------------------                         
Committee may designate an Award granted pursuant to the Plan as an award of
"qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code (hereinafter referred to as a "Performance-Based Award(s)").
Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the following
additional requirements shall apply to all Performance-Based Awards made to any
Participant under the Plan:

       (a)  Any Performance-Based Award shall be null and void and have no
effect whatsoever unless these amendments to the Plan, to the extent required by
the Code, shall have been approved by the stockholders of the Company at the
1997 annual meeting of stockholders.

       (b)  For purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, the only employees
eligible to receive Performance-Based Awards shall be the employee's identified
in Section 4.1 hereof.

       (c)  The right to obtain Restricted Stock or the right to have a Stock
Unit become payable in any fashion pursuant to a Performance-Based Award shall
be determined solely 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
on account of the attainment of one or more preestablished, objective
performance goals for a performance period selected by the Committee at the time
of the grant of the Performance-Based Award. Such goals shall be based solely on
one or more of the following business criteria, which may apply to the
individual in question, an identifiable business unit or the Company as a whole:
stock price, market share, sales, earnings per share, profitability targets as
measured by return ratios, cumulative total return to shareholders, consolidated
pre-tax earnings, net revenues, net earnings, operating income, earnings before
interest and taxes, and cash flow, for the applicable performance period based
on absolute Company or business unit performance and/or performance as compared
to a pre-selected peer group of companies or external financial index, all
as computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles as in
effect from time to time and as applied by the Company in the preparation of its
financial statements and subject to such other special rules and conditions as
the Committee may establish at any time ending on or before the 90th day of the
applicable performance period. The foregoing shall constitute the sole business
criteria upon which the performance goals under this Plan shall be based.

       (d) The maximum number of Shares, whether or not in the form of
Restricted Stock, which may be issued to any Participant pursuant to any
Performance-Based Award in any calendar year period beginning with the period
commencing January 1, 1997, shall not exceed 50,000 shares (subject to
adjustment as provided for in Section 5.3).

       (e) Not later than 90 days after the beginning of each performance period
selected by the Committee for a Performance-Based Award, it shall:

           (i)  designate all Participants for such performance period; and

           (ii) establish the objective performance factors for each
                Participant for that performance period on the basis of one or
                more of the business criteria set forth herein.

       (f) Following the close of each performance period and prior to
payment of any amount to any Participant under a Performance-Based Award, the 
Committee must certify in writing as to the attainment of all factors (including
the performance factors for a Participant) upon which any payments to a
Participant for that performance period are to be based.

       (g) Each of the foregoing provisions and all of the other terms and
conditions of the Plan as it applies to any Performance-Based Award shall be
interpreted in such a fashion so as to qualify all compensation paid thereunder
as "qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section
162(m) of the Code.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
SECTION VII.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT

          Each Award Agreement shall include provisions governing the
disposition of an Award in the event of the retirement, disability, death or
other termination of a Participant's employment with the Company or an
Affiliate.

SECTION VIII.  CHANGE IN CONTROL

          Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, at
the time of the grant of an Award, the Committee may determine to include
provisions in such Award providing that upon the occurrence of a "Change in
Control," (i) all outstanding Awards (including Restricted Stock and Stock
Units) shall immediately become fully vested (which, in the case of any Award
which is subject to the achievement of designated performance objectives during
a designated performance period, shall mean vested as if all such performance
objectives had been achieved at the 100% award level at the end of such
performance period) and (ii) all restrictions, conditions and limitations on all
Awards (including Restricted Stock and Stock Units) which are outstanding at the
time of such "Change in Control" or become outstanding by virtue of the
operation of clause (i) hereof shall immediately lapse, provided that the
provisions of clauses (i) and (ii) may be subject to such restrictions,
conditions and limitations as the Committee may determine at the time of grant
of the Award as set forth in the Award Agreement relating thereto.

          For purposes of the Plan, "Change in Control" shall mean any of the
following events:

          1.  The acquisition by any person, entity or "group," within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than the
Company or any of its Affiliates, or any employee benefit plan of the Company
and/or one or more of its Affiliates, of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either the then outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock or the combined
voting power of the Company's then outstanding voting securities in a
transaction or series of transactions not approved in advance by a vote of at
least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (as hereinafter defined); or

          2.  Individuals who, as of February 12, 1992, constitute the Board of
Directors of the Company (generally the "Directors" and, as of February 12,
1992, the "Continuing Directors") cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a Director subsequent to
February 12, 1992 whose nomination for election was approved in advance by a
vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors (other than a
nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection
with an actual or threatened solicitation with respect to the election or
removal of the Directors of the Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11
of Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act) shall be deemed to be a Continuing
Director; or

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          3.  The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a
reorganization, merger, consolidation, liquidation or dissolution of the Company
or of the sale (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than a reorganization,
merger, consolidation, liquidation, dissolution or sale approved in advance by a
vote of at least three-quarters of the Continuing Directors; or

          4.  The first purchase under any tender offer or exchange offer (other
than an offer by the Company or any of its Affiliates) pursuant to which shares
of the Company's Common Stock are purchased; or
 
          5.  At least a majority of the Continuing Directors determine in their
sole discretion that there has been a Chance in control of the Company.

SECTION IX.  NON-TRANSFERABILITY

          Except as otherwise determined by the Committee or set forth in the
applicable Award Agreement, no Restricted Stock or Stock Unit, and no right
under such Restricted Stock or Stock Unit, shall be sold, assigned, transferred,
pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of during the time in which the
requirement of continued employment or attainment of performance objectives has
not been achieved. Each right under any Award shall be exercisable during the
Participant's lifetime only by the Participant or, if permissible under
applicable law, by the Participant's legal representatives.

SECTION X.  TAXES

          In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income, social
security, payroll, withholding or other tax laws or regulations, the Company may
take such action, and may require a Participant to take such action, as it deems
appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state income, social
security, payroll, withholding or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute
responsibility of the Participant, are withheld or collected from such
Participant. In order to assist a Participant in paying all or part of the
federal and state taxes to be withheld or collected upon receipt or payment of
(or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its sole
discretion and subject to such additional terms and conditions as it may adopt,
may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax obligation by (a) electing to
have the Company withhold a portion of the shares of Common Stock otherwise to
be delivered upon receipt or payment of (or the lapse of restrictions relating
to) such Award with a fair market value equal to the amount of such taxes or (b)
delivering to the Company shares of Common Stock other than the shares issuable
upon receipt or payment of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award
with a fair market value equal to the amount of such taxes.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
SECTION XI.  AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

          11.1  Term of Plan.  Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or
                ------------                                                  
terminated as provided in Section 11.2 hereof, the Plan shall terminate on
February 11, 2002. No Awards may be granted after such termination, but
termination of the Plan shall not alter or impair any rights or obligations
under any Award theretofore granted, without the consent of the Participant or
holder or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the
Award Agreement.

          11.2  Amendments to Plan.  Except to the extent prohibited by
                ------------------                                     
applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or an Award
Agreement, the Committee may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the
Plan; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or
any Award Agreement, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, no
such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be
made that, absent such approval:

          (a) would cause Rule 16b-3 to become unavailable with respect to the
Plan: or

          (b) would violate the rules or regulations of any securities exchange
that are applicable to the Company.

          11.3  Amendments to Awards.  Except to the extent prohibited by
                --------------------                                     
applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or an Award
Agreement, the Committee may waive any condition of, or rights of the Company
under, any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively. The Committee may
not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any outstanding Award,
prospectively or retroactively, without the consent of the Participant or holder
or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise provided in the Plan or the Award
Agreement.

          11.4  Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies.  Except to
                ----------------------------------------------------            
the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise expressly provided
in the Plan or an Award Agreement, the Committee may correct any defect, supply
any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan, any Award or any Award
Agreement in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the
Plan into effect.

SECTION XII.  MISCELLANEOUS

          12.1  Governing Law.  The Plan and any Award Agreement shall be
                -------------                                            
governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws, and not the laws
of conflicts, of the State of Minnesota.

          12.2  Severability.  If any provision of the Plan, any Award or any
                -------------                                                
Award Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan, any Award or any
Award Agreement under any law deemed 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended
to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended
without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose
or intent of the Plan, the Award or the Award Agreement, such provision shall be
stricken as to such jurisdiction, and the remainder of the Plan, any such Award
or any such Award Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

          12.3  No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award or
                ------------------------                                    
Award Agreement shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund
of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and
a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a
right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an
Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general
creditor of the Company or of any Affiliate.

          12.4  Headings.  Headings are given to the sections and subsections of
                --------                                                        
the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall
not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or
interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.


Amended 4/9/97

                                       10

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)u.

                                 SUPERVALU INC.
                                1997 STOCK PLAN


Section 1.  Purpose.
- ------------------- 

     The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its
stockholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining employees, to
offer such employees incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of
the Company's business and to afford such employee an opportunity to acquire a
proprietary interest in the Company.

Section 2.  Definitions.
- ----------------------- 

     As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:

           (a) "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or 
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and
(ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each
case as determined by the Committee.

           (b) "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, 
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based
Award granted under the Plan.

           (c) "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or 
other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

           (d) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended 
from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.

           (e) "Committee" shall mean a committee of the Company designated by 
the Board of Directors of the Company to administer the Plan, which shall
consist of members appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

           (f) "Company" shall mean SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, and 
any successor corporation.

           (g) "Eligible Person" shall mean any employee, consultant or 
independent contractor providing services to the Company or any Affiliate who
the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person. An officer or director of the
Company or any Affiliate that is subject to Section 16 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule or regulation, shall not
be an Eligible Person.

           (h) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any property
(including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market
value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be
established from time to time by the Committee.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares on
a given date for purposes of the Plan shall be the average of the opening and
closing sale price of the Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on

<PAGE>
 
such date or, if such Exchange is not open for trading on such date, on the day
closest to such date when such Exchange is open for trading.
 
           (i) "Option" shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the 
Plan that shall not be an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section
422 of the Code or any successor provision and shall include Restoration
Options.

           (j) "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under 
Section 6(f) of the Plan.

           (k) "Participant" shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be 
granted an Award under the Plan.

           (l) "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 
6(e) of the Plan.

           (m) "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association or trust.

           (n) "Plan" shall mean this 1997 Stock Plan, as amended from time to 
time.

           (o) "Restoration Option" shall mean any Option granted under Section 
6(b) of the Plan.

           (p) "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section 
6(d) of the Plan.

           (q) "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under 
Section 6(d) of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash
payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.

           (r) "Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of 
the Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to Awards
pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan.

           (s) "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under 
Section 6(c) of the Plan.

Section 3.  Administration.
- -------------------------- 

           (a) Power and Authority of the Committee.  The Plan shall be 
               ------------------------------------
administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and
to applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i)
designate Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted
to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be
covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be
calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and
conditions of any Award or Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions
of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the exercisability of Options or
the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units
or other Awards; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine
whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other
securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect
to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the
election of the holder thereof or the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer
the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the
Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and
appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration
of the Plan; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that
the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan.
Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations,
determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the
Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be
made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any
Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any employee of the
Company or any Affiliate.

           (b) Delegation.  The Committee may delegate its powers and duties 
               ----------
under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or any Affiliate or a
committee of such officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as
the Committee may establish in its sole discretion.

           (c) Power and Authority of the Board of Directors.  Notwithstanding
               ---------------------------------------------                  
anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board of Directors may, at any
time and from time to time, without any further action of the Committee,
exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan.

Section 4.  Shares Available for Awards.
- --------------------------------------- 

           (a) Shares Available.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 
               ----------------
4(c), the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under all Awards under
the Plan shall be 2,000,000. Shares to be issued under the Plan shall be Shares
reacquired and held in the treasury of the Company. If any Shares covered by an
Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an
Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Shares, then the number of
Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan
with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination,
shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan.

           (b) Accounting for Awards.  For purposes of this Section 4, if an 
               ---------------------
Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of
Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on
the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available
for granting Awards under the Plan.

           (c) Adjustments.  In the event that the Committee shall determine 
               -----------
that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares,
other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse
stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off,
combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the
Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other
securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction or event
affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be
appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or
potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or
all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property)
which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of
Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards and
(iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award; provided,
                                                                --------
however, that the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award
- -------
relates shall always be a whole number.

Section 5.  Eligibility.
- ----------------------- 

     Any Eligible Person shall be eligible to be designated a Participant.  In
determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any
Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered
by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and potential contributions to
the success of the Company or such other factors as the Committee, in its
discretion, shall deem relevant.

Section 6.  Awards.
- ------------------ 

           (a) Options.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to
               -------                                                         
Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the
Committee shall determine:

               (i)    Exercise Price.  The purchase price per Share purchasable
                      --------------                                           
     under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however,
                                                           --------  ------- 
     that such purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
     Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option.

               (ii)   Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be fixed by
                      -----------
     the Committee.

               (iii)  Time and Method of Exercise.  The Committee shall
                      ---------------------------                      
     determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or
     in part and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms
     (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other
     securities, other Awards or other property, or any combination thereof,
     having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant
     exercise price) in which, payment of the exercise price with respect
     thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.

           (b) Restoration Options.  The Committee may grant Restoration 
               -------------------
Options, separately or together with an Option, pursuant to which, subject to
the terms and conditions established by the Committee and any applicable law,
the Participant would be granted a new Option when the payment of the exercise
price of the non-qualified stock option to which such Restoration Option relates
is made by the delivery or withholding of Shares pursuant to the relevant
provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such non-qualified stock option.
The new Option shall give the holder the right to purchase the number of Shares
not exceeding the sum of (A) the number of Shares so provided as consideration
upon the exercise of the previously granted non-qualified stock option to which
such Restoration Option relates and (B) the number of Shares, if any, tendered
or withheld as payment of the amount to be withheld under applicable tax laws in
connection with the exercise of the non-qualified stock option to which such
Restoration Option relates pursuant to the relevant provisions of the plan or
agreement relating to such non-

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
qualified stock option. Restoration Options may be granted with respect to
Options previously granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the
Company, and may be granted in connection with any Option granted under the Plan
or any other stock option plan of the Company at the time of such grant;
provided, however, that Restoration Options may only be granted to Eligible 
- --------  -------                                   
Persons.

           (c) Stock Appreciation Rights.  The Committee is hereby authorized to
               -------------------------                                        
grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan
and any applicable Award Agreement.  A Stock Appreciation Right granted under
the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon exercise
thereof the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of
exercise (or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a
specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price
of the Stock Appreciation Right as specified by the Committee, which price shall
not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant
of the Stock Appreciation Right.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of
exercise, methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock
Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee.  The Committee may
impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation
Right as it may deem appropriate.

           (d) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units.  The Committee is
               -------------------------------------------                   
hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units
to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional
terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the
Committee shall determine:

               (i)    Restrictions.  Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted
                      ------------                                            
     Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may
     impose (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote
     a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other
     right or property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse
     separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or
     otherwise as the Committee may deem appropriate.

               (ii)   Stock Certificates.  Any Restricted Stock granted under
                      ------------------
     the Plan shall be evidenced by issuance of a stock certificate or
     certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the
     Company. Such certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name
     of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the
     terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. In
     the case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time
     such Awards are granted.

               (iii)  Forfeiture; Delivery of Shares.  Except as otherwise
                      ------------------------------                      
     determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment (as determined
     under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable
     restriction period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock
     Units at such time subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired
     by the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds
                     --------  -------                                       
     that a waiver would be in the best interest of the Company, waive in whole
     or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of
     Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.  Any Share representing
     Restricted Stock that is no longer subject to restrictions shall be
     delivered to the holder thereof promptly after the applicable restrictions
     lapse or are waived.  Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and the
     restricted period relating to 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such Shares
     shall be issued and delivered to the holders of the Restricted Stock Units.

           (e) Performance Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
               ------------------                                              
Performance Awards to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement.  A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may
be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation,
Restricted Stock), other securities, other Awards or other property and (ii)
shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive payments, in whole or in
part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such performance
periods as the Committee shall establish.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and
any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any
performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any
Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made
pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and conditions of any
Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.

           (f) Other Stock-Based Awards.  The Committee is hereby authorized to
               ------------------------                                        
grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in,
valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to,
Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as
are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan;
provided, however, that such grants must comply with applicable law.  Subject to
- --------  -------                                                               
the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall
determine the terms and conditions of such Awards.  Shares or other securities
delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6(f) shall be
purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods
and in such form or forms (including without limitation, cash, Shares,
promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property or any
combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the value of which
consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than 100% of
the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such
purchase right is granted.

           (g) General.
               ------- 

               (i)    No Cash Consideration for Awards.  Awards shall be granted
                      --------------------------------                          
     for no cash consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be
     required by applicable law.

               (ii)   Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together.  Awards may,
                      --------------------------------------------              
     in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition
     to, in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award
     granted under any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the Plan.
     Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition
     to or in tandem with awards granted under any such other plan of the
     Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a
     different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.

               (iii)  Forms of Payment under Awards.  Subject to the terms of
                      -----------------------------                          
     the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be
     made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of
     an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine
     (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other
     securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), and
     may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures
     established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include,
     without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable
     interest on installment or deferred payments.

               (iv) Limits on Transfer of Awards.  Unless otherwise determined
                    ----------------------------                              
     by the Committee:  (a) no Award and no right under any such Award shall be
     transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of
     descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by the
                               --------  -------                               
     Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee,
     designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the
     Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to any
     Award upon the death of the Participant; (b) each Award or right under any
     Award shall be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by the
     Participant or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant's
     guardian or legal representative; and (c) no Award or right under any such
     Award may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, and any
     purported pledge, alienation, attachment or encumbrance thereof shall be
     void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

               (v) Term of Awards.  The term of each Award shall be for such
                   --------------                                           
     period as may be determined by the Committee.

               (vi) Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing.  All certificates
                    -----------------------------------------                   
     for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any
     Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders
     and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan
     or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and
     Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state securities laws,
     and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on any such
     certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.  If the
     Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company
     shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other securities covered by
     an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been
     admitted for trading on such securities exchange.

Section 7.  Amendment and Termination; Adjustments.
- -------------------------------------------------- 

     Except to the extent prohibited by applicable law and unless otherwise
expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:

           (a) Amendments to the Plan.  The Board of Directors of the Company
               ----------------------                                        
may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan.

           (b) Amendments to Awards.  The Committee may waive any conditions of
               --------------------                                            
or rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or
retroactively.  The Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or
terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, without the
consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise
herein provided.

           (c) Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies.  The
               ----------------------------------------------------      
Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any
inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall
deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Section 8.  Income Tax Withholding.
- ---------------------------------- 

     In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or
regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure
that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other
taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant, are
withheld or collected from such Participant.  In order to assist a Participant
in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be withheld or
collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to)
an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms
and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax
obligation by (i) electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Shares
otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of
restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the
amount of such taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares
issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to)
such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes.  The
election, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to
be withheld is determined.

Section 9.  General Provisions.
- ------------------------------ 

           (a) No Rights to Awards.  No Eligible Person, Participant or other
               -------------------                                           
Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is
no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or
holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan.  The terms and conditions of
Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to
different Participants.

           (b) Award Agreements.  No Participant will have rights under an Award
               ----------------                                                 
granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been
duly executed on behalf of the Company.

           (c) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained 
               -------------------------------------------                      
in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or
continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such
arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific
cases.

           (d) No Right to Employment.  The grant of an Award shall not be
               ----------------------                                     
construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the
Company or any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company
or an Affiliate to terminate such employment at any time, with or without cause.
In addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant
from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless
otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

           (e) Governing Law.  The validity, construction and effect of the Plan
               -------------                                                    
or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award,
shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

           (f) Severability.  If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or
               ------------                                                  
becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the
purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as
to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award
shall remain in full force and effect.

           (g) No Trust or Fund Created.  Neither the Plan nor any Award shall
               ------------------------                                       
create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a
fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or
any other Person.  To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive
payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right
shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the
Company or any Affiliate.

           (h) No Fractional Shares.  No fractional Shares shall be issued or
               --------------------                                          
delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine
whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such
fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or
otherwise eliminated.

           (i) Headings.  Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of
               --------                                                        
the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference.  Such headings shall
not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or
interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

Section 10.  Effective Date of the Plan.
- --------------------------------------- 

     The Plan shall be effective as of April 9, 1997.

Section 11.  Term of the Plan.
- ----------------------------- 

     Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or terminated as provided in
Section 7(a), the Plan shall terminate on April 9, 2007.  No Award shall be
granted after the termination of the Plan.  However, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore
granted may extend beyond the termination of the Plan, and the authority of the
Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards, and
the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall
extend beyond the termination of the Plan.


Adopted:  4/9/97

                                       9

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (10)v.

                    SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
                    ----------------------------------------



          This Separation Agreement and General Release ("Agreement") is entered
into by and between Phillip Dabill ("Dabill") and SUPERVALU INC. ("SUPERVALU").

          WHEREAS, Dabill's duties with SUPERVALU as Executive Vice President,
President Retail Services and Corporate Strategies Group shall terminate by
mutual agreement effective October 19, 1996;

          WHEREAS, Dabill and SUPERVALU mutually desire to continue Dabill's
employment on the terms expressed below until October 18, 1997, at which time
his employment shall terminate by mutual agreement; and

          WHEREAS, Dabill and SUPERVALU desire to fully and finally settle all
issues, differences and actual and potential claims between them, including, but
in no way limited to, any claim that might arise out of Dabill's employment with
SUPERVALU and the termination thereof;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein, Dabill and SUPERVALU agree as follows:

          1.  Dabill hereby resigns from his position with SUPERVALU as
Executive Vice President, President Retail Services and Corporate Strategies
Group, effective October 19, 1996.

          2.  From October 19, 1996 through October 18, 1997, Dabill agrees that
he shall remain an employee of SUPERVALU, and shall be available for assignments
at the discretion of SUPERVALU's Chief Executive Officer. Dabill agrees to be
available for an average of two days per week throughout this period.

          3.  Dabill hereby resigns from his employment with SUPERVALU,
effective October 18, 1997.

          4.  During the period of October 19, 1996 through October 18, 1997,
SUPERVALU agrees to continue paying Dabill's base compensation, and to provide
Dabill with a company automobile and country club allowance.

          5.  It is understood and agreed that Dabill shall be eligible for his
pro rata annual and long-term incentive compensation, if earned, through October
19, 1996. It is further understood and agreed that Dabill shall not be eligible
for any bonus, annual, or long-term incentive compensation for any period after
October 19, 1996.

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          6.  SUPERVALU agrees to pay Dabill's accrued vacation pay of six
weeks, less all customary SUPERVALU deductions, sixteen days following the
termination of Dabill's employment on October 18, 1997.

          7.  Dabill's rights to benefits under all SUPERVALU benefit plans 
shall be governed by the terms of those plans.

          8.  All other items of compensation not mentioned in paragraphs 4
through 7 above have been resolved, and Dabill shall have no further claim to
any other items of compensation or benefits.

          9.  Dabill agrees that he was not entitled to all of the payments and
benefits outlined in paragraphs 4 through 7 as a result of his employment with
SUPERVALU, but that the payments and benefits are being provided as
consideration for his acceptance and execution of this Agreement.

          10. As an essential inducement to SUPERVALU to enter into this
Agreement, and as consideration for the foregoing promises of SUPERVALU, Dabill
agrees as follows:

          (a)  Dabill acknowledges that during the course of his employment, he
               has had access to and gained knowledge of highly confidential and
               proprietary information and trade secrets, as defined in
               SUPERVALU's policies. Dabill further acknowledges that the
               misuse, misappropriation or disclosure of this information could
               cause irreparable harm to SUPERVALU, both during and after the
               term of Dabill's employment. Therefore, Dabill agrees that during
               his employment and at all times thereafter he will not disclose
               to, or use for the benefit of anyone outside of SUPERVALU, any
               confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets, except
               upon SUPERVALU's written consent or as required by Dabill's
               duties with SUPERVALU.

          (b)  Dabill confirms and agrees that SUPERVALU will be substantially
               harmed if Dabill were to compete with SUPERVALU subsequent to his
               separation from employment. Therefore, Dabill agrees that for a
               period of twenty-four (24) months after separation from
               employment, Dabill will not, within the continental United
               States, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, join,
               control, be employed by or participate in ownership, management,
               operation or control of, or be connected in any manner with any
               business that competes with SUPERVALU in any products which are
               developed (or in the process of development), sold, licensed or
               marketed by SUPERVALU, or services which are performed, at the
               time of separation from employment; or provide consulting
               services to, or become an employee of, any customer of SUPERVALU
               as of the date of separation from employment. Dabill shall retain
               the right to seek the written approval of SUPERVALU's Chief
               Executive Officer waiving the requirements of this paragraph
               10(b) with respect to any particular activity in which Dabill
               seeks to engage.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     (c)  Dabill agrees that he will not either directly, or in concert
          with others, recruit, solicit or induce, or attempt to induce,
          any employee or employees of SUPERVALU or any of its affiliates
          to terminate their employment and/or become associated with
          another employer. Dabill further agrees that he will not either
          directly, or in concert with others, solicit, divert or take away
          or attempt to divert or take away, the business or patronage of
          any of the customers or accounts which were contacted, solicited
          or served by those units of SUPERVALU in which Dabill was
          employed or for which he exercised management responsibilities
          while employed with SUPERVALU.
     
     (d)  By this Agreement, Dabill and SUPERVALU intend to settle any and
          all claims which Dabill has or may have against SUPERVALU as a
          result of Dabill's employment with SUPERVALU and/or the cessation
          of Dabill's employment with SUPERVALU. For the consideration
          expressed herein, Dabill hereby releases and discharges
          SUPERVALU, its officers, employees, agents, assigns, insurers,
          representatives, counsel, administrators, successors,
          shareholders, and/or directors from all liability for damages or
          claims of any kind and agrees not to institute any claim for
          damages or otherwise, by charge or otherwise, nor authorize any
          other party, governmental or otherwise, to institute any claim
          via administrative or legal proceedings against SUPERVALU for any
          such claims including, but not limited to, any claims arising
          under or based upon the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minn. Stat.
          (S)(S) 363.01 et seq.; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, 42
                        -- ---               
          U.S.C. (S)(S) 2000e et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment
                              -- --- 
          Act, 29 U.S.C. (S)(S) 621 et seq.; or the Americans With
                                    -- --- 
          Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. (S)(S) 12101 et seq.; and any
                                                   -- ---               
          contract, quasi contract, or tort claims, whether developed or
          undeveloped, arising from or related to Dabill's employment with
          SUPERVALU, and/or the cessation of Dabill's employment with
          SUPERVALU. Dabill and SUPERVALU agree that, by signing this
          Agreement, Dabill does not waive any claims arising after the
          execution of this Agreement.

     11.  Dabill is hereby informed of his right to rescind this Agreement as
far as it extends to potential claims under Minn. Stat. (S)(S) 363.01 et seq.
                                                                      -- --- 
(prohibiting discrimination in employment) by written notice to SUPERVALU within
fifteen (15) calendar days following his execution of this Agreement.  To be
effective, such written notice must either be delivered by hand or sent by
certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to Mr. Ronald C. Tortelli,
SUPERVALU INC., P. O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota  55440, delivered or post-
marked within such fifteen (15) day period.  Dabill understands that SUPERVALU
will have no obligations under this Agreement in the event such notice is timely
delivered and any payments made as of that date by SUPERVALU pursuant to
paragraphs 4 through 6, above, shall be immediately repaid by Dabill to
SUPERVALU.

     12.  Dabill is hereby informed of his right to revoke this Agreement as far
as it extends to potential claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act, 29 U.S.C. (S)(S) 621 et seq. by informing SUPERVALU of his intent to revoke
                          -- ---                                                
this Agreement within seven 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
(7) calendar days following his execution of this Agreement. Dabill understands
that SUPERVALU will have no obligations under this Agreement in the event such
notice is timely delivered and any payments made as of that date by SUPERVALU
pursuant to paragraphs 4 through 6, above, shall be immediately repaid by Dabill
to SUPERVALU.

     13.  Dabill is hereby informed that the terms of this Agreement shall be
open for acceptance by him for a period of twenty-one (21) days during which
time he may consider whether to accept this Agreement.

     14.  The terms of this Agreement shall remain strictly confidential between
the parties hereto, and shall not be disclosed to third persons unless required
by law.

     15.  Dabill understands and agrees that effective October 19, 1996, he is
no longer authorized to incur any expenses or obligations or liabilities on
behalf of SUPERVALU, except as required in the course of the services he is
requested to perform.

     16.  Dabill agrees that on or before October 18, 1997 he will return to
SUPERVALU any property of SUPERVALU in his possession or control.

     17.  Dabill agrees that he will refrain from making any statements, whether
written or oral, which are disparaging of SUPERVALU, its directors, officers,
employees, agents, or representatives.  SUPERVALU agrees that it will refrain
from making any statements, whether written or oral, which are disparaging of
Dabill.

     18.  This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by
SUPERVALU that it has acted wrongfully with respect to Dabill or any other
person, or that Dabill has any rights whatsoever against SUPERVALU. SUPERVALU
specifically disclaims any liability to, or wrongful acts against, Dabill or any
other person, on the part of itself, its directors, its officers, its employees,
its representatives or its agents.

     19.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof.  Dabill hereby affirms that his rights to
payments or benefits from SUPERVALU are specified exclusively and completely in
this Agreement.  Any modification of, or addition to, this Agreement must be in
writing, signed by SUPERVALU and Dabill.

     20.  This Agreement is personal to Dabill and may not be assigned by Dabill
without the written agreement of SUPERVALU.  All payments provided herein to or
for the benefit of Dabill and the maintenance of coverages as herein provided,
shall be made to his estate and for the benefit of his dependents, heirs and
beneficiaries in the event of his death prior to the receipt thereof.

     21.  This Agreement constitutes a contract enforceable against either party
and shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
Minnesota.   Nothing contained in this Agreement is intended to violate any
applicable law.  If any part of this Agreement is construed to be in violation
of a state and/or federal law, then that part 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
shall be null and void, but the balance of the provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.


     22.  Dabill hereby affirms and acknowledges that he has read the foregoing
Agreement and that he has hereby been advised to consult with an attorney prior
to signing this Agreement.  Dabill agrees that the provisions set forth in this
Agreement are written in language understandable to him and further affirms that
he understands the meaning of the terms of this Agreement and their effect.
Dabill represents that he enters into this Agreement freely and voluntarily.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement by their
signatures below.


Dated:  November 1, 1996                /s/ Phillip Dabill
       ------------------               ------------------
                                        Phillip Dabill



Dated:  November 5, 1996                SUPERVALU  INC.
       ------------------                 


                                        By /s/ Michael Wright
                                           ------------------
                                           Its Chief Executive Officer
                                               -------------------------

                                       5

<PAGE>
 
                         SUPERVALU INC. and Subsidiaries
                       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
                             For Fiscal Years Ended
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

(In thousands, except ratios)                        1997             1996            1995              1994              1993
                                                     ----             ----            ----              ----              ----
<S>                                        <C>               <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>  
Earnings before income taxes                     $280,512         $267,692         $15,925          $294,080          $258,618

Less undistributed earnings of ShopKo             (15,813)         (11,136)        (10,902)           (8,306)          (16,582)
                                           ---------------   --------------   -------------    --------------    --------------

Earnings before income taxes                      264,699          256,556           5,023           285,774           242,036

Interest expense                                  136,831          140,150         135,383           120,292            83,066

Interest on operating leases                       16,950           17,059          18,204            17,288             6,661
                                           ---------------   --------------   -------------    --------------    --------------

                                                 $418,480         $413,765        $158,610          $423,354          $331,763
                                           ===============   ==============   =============    ==============    ==============

 Total fixed charges                              153,781          157,209         153,587           137,580            89,727
                                           ===============   ==============   =============    ==============    ==============

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                   2.72             2.63            1.03              3.08              3.70
                                           ===============   ==============   =============    ==============    ==============
</TABLE> 

<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                       SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries 

SUPERVALU management decisions are guided by established policies covering
financial goals, capital structure, capital investment and dividends. The
company's long-term financial goals are arrived at by balancing two broad
objectives: increasing profitability levels and maintaining a strong capital
structure. Management continues to review all aspects of the business for
strategic fit and growth. At times, adjustments to the portfolio are necessary
to obtain long-term growth targets.

The profitability of the company is gauged by return on investment measures.
Achievement of targeted return levels in these areas would lead to excellent
returns for the company's stockholders through increasing dividends and higher
valuations on their investment in the company. These measures are an integral
part of the company's planning process and are an integral part of management
incentive compensation.

Capital Structure

Management believes that maintaining a strong capital structure and financial
flexibility provides a significant competitive advantage and allows the company
to be opportunistic in terms of acquisitions.

The capital structure of SUPERVALU at each fiscal year-end included the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Summary of Balance Sheet Capitalization
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In millions)                     1997       1996       1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>
Short-term borrowings             $  134.3   $  158.0   $  226.2
Long-term debt                     1,160.1    1,153.1    1,224.5
Present value of:
  Capital leases                     266.8      237.5      179.6
  Retailer finance leases             88.2       81.4       84.0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt, including
  current maturities               1,649.4    1,630.0    1,714.3
Stockholders' equity               1,307.4    1,216.2    1,193.2
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total capitalization              $2,956.8   $2,846.2   $2,907.5
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Debt-to-total capitalization            56%        57%        59%

</TABLE>

Liquidity

Internally-generated funds, principally from the company's food distribution
business, were the major source of capital for liquidity and growth in 1997 and
1996. Management expects that the company will continue to replenish operating
assets and reduce aggregate debt with internally-generated funds and capital
leases unless additional funds are necessary to complete acquisitions. The
company has adequate short-term and long-term financing capabilities to fund
acquisitions as the opportunities arise.

Cash provided by operating activities was $329 million in 1997 compared with
$422 million in 1996 and $353 million in 1995. Cash provided by operating
activities in 1997 was primarily used to finance capital expenditures of $244.7
million and pay dividends of $66.9 million.

In August 1996, the Board of Directors rescinded the previous treasury stock
purchase program and approved a new treasury stock purchase program authorizing
the company to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares to fund stock related
compensation plans. The company repurchased 746,000 shares at a cost of $21.6
million in fiscal 1997. There were no treasury stock purchases under the old
program during fiscal 1997. In fiscal 1996, the company repurchased 2.9 million
shares at a cost of $80.1 million.

On September 9, 1996, the company announced that it had agreed to sell its 14.7
million shares of ShopKo Stores, Inc. ("ShopKo") under an agreement to combine
ShopKo and Phar-Mor under a holding company. That agreement was terminated in
April 1997 by mutual decision of both ShopKo and Phar-Mor. On April 25, 1997,
the company announced that ShopKo agreed to repurchase 8,174,387 shares of its
stock from SUPERVALU for $150 million. Simultaneously, SUPERVALU will sell its
remaining shares of ShopKo common stock in a secondary public offering.
SUPERVALU is required to proceed with the secondary offering if the share price
in the offering is at or above $18.35, but could at its option, proceed at a
lower price. The two transactions, which are cross-conditional and subject to
other conditions, are expected to close in the summer of 1997, resulting in

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                       SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
an estimated after-tax gain of approximately $33 million. Proceeds from the
transaction, which are estimated at approximately $270 million, may be used to
purchase treasury stock, reduce debt or invest via acquisition in the company's
core wholesale or retail food operations.

SUPERVALU will continue to use short-term and long-term debt as a supplement to
internally generated funds to finance its activities. The company has a $400
million "shelf registration" in effect of which $157.5 million of medium term
notes were issued during fiscal 1996, with $242.5 million available as of the
end of fiscal 1997. A $400 million revolving credit agreement also is in place
and expires in May 2000. The company refinanced $300 million of debt due in
November 1995, by utilizing the shelf registration and $142.5 million of short-
term commercial paper. Short-term commercial paper totaling $100 million has
been classified as long-term debt as the company has the ability and intent to
renew these obligations past 1998 and into future periods. Maturities of debt
issued will depend on management's views with respect to the relative
attractiveness of interest rates at the time of issuance.

The company's financial position and long-term debt ratings remain strong, with
long-term debt ratings of BBB+ from Standard and Poor's Ratings Group and Baa1
from Moody's Investors Services, Inc. The company's investment grade ratings,
the available credit facilities and internally-generated funds provide the
company with the financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs.

Expansion Plans For Fiscal 1998

SUPERVALU's capital budget for fiscal 1998, which includes leases, is $400
million compared with $286 million and $271 million incurred during 1997 and
1996, respectively. The budget anticipates cash spending of $365 million plus
$35 million of capital leases. The capital budget provides sufficient funding
for the growth of the company and covers anticipated investments to implement
the ADVANTAGE project.

Approximately $200 million of the 1998 capital budget is slated for use in the
company's food distribution activities, including the construction or
acquisition of several small distribution centers for Save-A-Lot, information
technology and normal replacement spending.

The retail food capital budget of $140 million covers corporately-owned retail
food businesses. The budget provides for approximately 33 new corporate retail
stores including three new Cub Foods stores and 30 corporate Save-A-Lot limited
assortment stores and includes $30 million for remodels of existing stores. The
balance of the 1998 capital budget is dedicated to the corporate area and will
be utilized principally for computer-related items.

                           [PIE CHART APPEARS HERE]

                    Fiscal '98 Capital Budget (In Millions)

                    Food Distribution     $200
                    Corporate             $ 60
                    Retail Food           $140

In addition, the company is prepared to provide up to $150 million to support
store development and financing for the company's independent retailers.
Retailer financing activities typically do not require new cash outlays because
they are leases or guarantees, neither of which require cash outlays, or funded
by the repayment or refinancing in the commercial market of existing notes.

These capital spending activities are not expected to result in an increase in
the company's debt-to-total-capital ratio as internal cash flow is expected to
substantially support spending requirements. Because of the opportunistic nature
of acquisitions, no amount for acquisition activity is included in the capital
budget. The capital budget does include amounts for projects which are subject
to change and for which firm commitments have not been made.

                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

 
Dividends

Cash dividends declared during fiscal 1997 totaled 99 1/2 cents per common
share, an increase of 2.6 percent over the 97 cents per share declared in the
prior fiscal year. This was the 60th year of consecutive cash dividends and the
25th year of successive annual increases. Cash dividend payments over the past
25 years have increased at an annual compounded rate of 10.0 percent. The
company's dividend policy will continue to emphasize a high level of earnings
retention.

Common Stock Price

SUPERVALU's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol SVU. At year-end, there were 7,655 stockholders of record compared with
7,988 at the end of fiscal 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
=======================================================================
                               Common Stock              Dividends Per
                               Price Range                   Share
Fiscal Quarter           1997                1996         1997    1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                    High      Low       High       Low
=======================================================================
<S>               <C>      <C>         <C>       <C>      <C>     <C>
First             $32 5/8  $30 5/8    $28 7/8  $ 25 5/8   $.245   $.235
Second             31 5/8   27 5/8     31        28 1/8    .250    .245
Third              30 3/8   27 1/4     32 3/4    29 1/4    .250    .245
Fourth             32 3/8   27 3/4     32 3/4    30 3/4    .250    .245
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Year              $32 5/8  $27 1/4    $32 3/4  $ 25 5/8   $.995   $.970
=======================================================================
</TABLE>

Dividend payment dates are on or about the 15th day of March, June, September
and December, subject to Board of Directors approval.

Results of Operations

Net earnings increased 5 percent for the year driven by strong performance in
the retail food segment. Net sales were even with last year as the company
continued significant focus and investment in ADVANTAGE related activities. The
following table sets forth items from the company's Consolidated Statements of
Earnings as percentages of net sales:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===========================================================================
                                            Fiscal Year Ended
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  February 22,  February 24,   February 25,
                                          1997          1996           1995
                                    (52 weeks)    (52 weeks)     (52 weeks)
===========================================================================
<S>                               <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales                               100.0%        100.0%         100.0%
Cost of sales                            89.9          90.4           90.8
Selling and administrative
 expenses                                 7.8           7.4            7.1
Restructuring and other charges            --            --            1.5
Interest expense                           .8            .9             .8
Interest income                           (.1)          (.2)           (.2)
Equity in earnings of ShopKo              (.1)          (.1)           (.1)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes              1.7           1.6             .1
Income taxes                               .6            .6             .1
ShopKo deferred tax credit                 --            --            (.3)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings                              1.1%          1.0%            .3%
===========================================================================
</TABLE>

Net Sales

Net sales increased .4 percent to $16.6 billion in fiscal 1997, from $16.5
billion in 1996 and decreased .5 percent in 1996 from $16.6 billion in 1995.
This was driven by an increase in retail food sales of 7.0 percent in 1997 to
$4.7 billion, and a 4.6 percent increase in 1996 over 1995 sales of $4.2
billion.

Food distribution sales decreased 1.0 percent in 1997, due to competitive market
conditions at the wholesale and retail level, the planned discontinuance of
service to a major customer in the Southeast and the expected liquidation of a
major customer at the end of fiscal 1996 in the Northeast. This effect was
partially mitigated by the addition of new retail customers in food
distribution, the growth of Save-A-Lot limited assortment stores and food
inflation of about one percent. The decrease in food distribution sales of .9
percent for 1996 was due to competitive market conditions at the

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
wholesale and retail levels, the liquidation of a major customer and lost sales
from the closing of corporate retail stores, partially offset by the addition of
new retail customers and food inflation of about one percent.

Retail food sales increased in 1997, primarily due to the addition of stores
including eight price superstores; nine conventional stores in the New England
area; and the opening of two supercenters. In addition, Save-A-Lot acquired 21
limited assortment stores, its first entry into the California market, and
opened 10 additional stores during the year. Corporately-owned same store sales
increased 2.2 percent for the year. The sales increase was partially offset by
the closing of underperforming retail stores pursuant to the restructuring
program. The increase in 1996 was primarily the result of the inclusion of Hyper
Shoppes, Inc.'s sales for a full year compared with 26 weeks in 1995, an
increase in same-store sales of 2.6 percent and new store openings, offset
partially by the closing of underperforming stores.

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of net sales increased to 10.1 percent in 1997,
compared with 9.6 percent in 1996 and 9.2 percent in 1995. These increases were
due principally to the growing proportion within the company's total sales mix
of the higher-margined retail food business, which represented 29 percent of
total sales in 1997, compared with 27 percent and 25 percent in 1996 and 1995,
respectively. In fiscal 1997, food distribution gross profit margin increased
slightly due to favorable LIFO expense and certain merchandising initiatives.
The retail food gross margin increased in fiscal 1997, as a result of pricing
adjustments from price modeling, changed promotional practices, improved product
mix from higher gross margin items and the closing of underperforming corporate-
owned retail stores. Food distribution gross margin decreased slightly in fiscal
1996, due to the competitive retail environment and the continuation of the
industry's movement to every-day-low-pricing, partially offset by favorable
warehousing workers compensation insurance costs. In fiscal 1996, retail food
gross margin increased due to an improved mix from higher gross margin items and
the closing of underperforming corporate-owned retail stores.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses were 7.8 percent of net sales in 1997,
compared with 7.4 percent in 1996 and 7.1 percent in 1995. These higher
percentages were primarily due to the increased proportion of the company's
retail food segment which operates at a higher selling and administrative
expense percentage than the food distribution segment, and the increase in
direct and indirect costs related to the transformation of the distribution
operations through the ADVANTAGE program. Food distribution selling and
administrative expenses as a percent of net sales were higher than last year due
to increased expenses associated with ADVANTAGE, including increased computer
and systems development costs, overlapping staffing and training needs, as well
as costs related to opening the Southeast regional distribution facility
("SERF") and the impact of fixed expenses as a percent of slightly decreased
sales. Retail food selling and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales
were comparable to last year.

Substantial progress has been made in the company's ADVANTAGE initiatives.
Completed activities during fiscal 1997 include: distributing general
merchandise and health and beauty care products to all customers in the
Southeast region from SERF which opened earlier in the year and servicing
customers in two regions from the new National Customer Service Center in
Denver. In addition, the following activities are in progress: reconfiguring the
existing local distribution centers in the Southeast region to achieve
additional cost efficiencies; construction of the Midwest regional distribution
facility for which shipping is anticipated to begin in the summer of calendar
1998; retailer training for the category management program in the Midwest and
Central regions; category management implementation in various phases across
five of seven regions; and the design and development of new category management
and allowance programs.


                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
Operating Earnings

The company's pre-tax operating earnings (earnings before interest, corporate
expenses, equity in earnings of ShopKo and taxes) were $404.1 million in 1997,
compared with $391.8 million in 1996 and $153.2 million ($384.6 million
excluding restructuring and other charges) in 1995. The increase in operating
earnings was principally due to significant improvement in corporate retail
performance, offset partially by the continuing impact of increased costs
related to the transformation of the food distribution segment through the
ADVANTAGE program.

Food distribution operating earnings were $310.5 million in 1997, compared with
$334.7 million in 1996 and $257.5 million ($350.6 million excluding
restructuring and other charges) in 1995. Operating earnings in 1997 were
negatively impacted by higher ADVANTAGE related expenses and the general
softness in sales, partially offset by improved operating results at Save-A-Lot
and Hazelwood Farms Bakeries. The increase in 1996 compared to 1995 was due to
the restructure and other charges incurred in fiscal 1995.

Retail food operating earnings were $93.7 million in 1997, compared with $57.2
million in 1996 and a loss of $104.3 million (profit of $34.1 million excluding
restructuring and other charges) in 1995. The increase in 1997 resulted from
higher sales and improved gross margins resulting from merchandising efforts and
changes to product mix. The increase in 1996 was due to restructure and other
charges incurred in fiscal 1995 and the elimination of operating losses from the
closing of underperforming corporate retail stores.


Interest Expense and Income

Interest expense of $136.8 million was incurred in 1997, compared with $140.2
million for 1996 and $135.4 million for 1995. The decrease in 1997 was primarily
due to slightly lower short-term interest rates. The increase in interest
expense in 1996 over 1995 resulted from an increase in debt levels and higher
short-term borrowing rates. Interest income decreased to $16.1 million in 1997,
compared with $23.5 million in 1996 and $24.1 million in 1995. Interest income
for 1997 decreased due to the reduction in notes receivable as a result of the
sale of notes in the ordinary course of business at the end of fiscal 1996 and
in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997.

Equity in Earnings of ShopKo

The company's ownership in ShopKo is 46 percent and is accounted for under the
equity method. Equity in earnings of ShopKo for 1997 was $20.7 million compared
with $17.6 million in 1996 and $17.4 million in 1995. ShopKo net sales for 1997
increased 18.6 percent to $2.33 billion, compared with 1996 sales of $1.97
billion, an increase of 6.2 percent over 1995. ShopKo reported total net
earnings of $44.9 million for 1997, an increase of 16.9 percent from 1996. The
net earnings increase resulted from increased sales in the ProVantage managed
health care operations and comparable store sales increases of 6 percent. Net
earnings for 1996 were $38.4 million, a 1.7 percent increase over 1995.

Income Taxes

In 1995, the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") completed its review for tax years
ending in 1991 and 1992, which included the partial disposition of ShopKo in
October 1991. The transaction was reported as a taxable sale in the audited
financial statements for that year. Upon completion of their review, the IRS
concluded that the partial disposition of ShopKo resulted in no tax liability.
Therefore, the $40.8 million of deferred taxes provided by the company in the
financial statements was reversed and reflected in the 1995 consolidated
statement of earnings.


                                      20

<PAGE>
 
                               Financial Review
                               ----------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
Net Earnings

Net earnings for 1997 were $175.0 million, compared with net earnings for 1996
of  $166.4 million and $43.3 million reported in 1995. Net earnings in 1997 were
positively impacted by the significant improvement in the company's retail food
operations, which more than offset increased expenses related to the ADVANTAGE
project. Although certain ADVANTAGE initiatives are generating benefits, the
company anticipates ADVANTAGE expenses, primarily driven by increased
information technology costs, to exceed benefits through much of fiscal 1998.
The increase in net earnings in 1996 was related principally to the
restructuring and other charges incurred in 1995, partially offset by a one-time
tax credit related to the partial disposition of ShopKo.

New Accounting Standards

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" was
issued in March 1995 and was adopted in fiscal 1997. The impact to the company
of adopting this statement was immaterial.

Earnings per Share

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per
Share" was issued in February 1997 and will be adopted in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1998. The adoption of SFAS No. 128 is not expected to have a significant
impact on the calculation of earnings per share as currently reported.

Year 2000

Many of the company's computer systems will require modification or replacement
over the next three years in order to render these systems compliant with the
year 2000. In 1996, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the Financial Accounting
Standards Board reached a consensus that the cost associated with modifying
internal use software for the year 2000 should be expensed as incurred. The
company has established processes for evaluating and managing the risks and
costs associated with this issue. The computing portfolio has been identified
and assessments have been completed. The company will incur costs to address the
year 2000, but management does not believe that these costs will materially
impact the company's results of operations or financial condition through the
end of fiscal 2000.

Inflation

Inflation has had only a modest effect on the company's operating results and
its external sources of liquidity. The impact of low food inflation on the
company's sales was partially offset by retail development and marketing
activities. As operating expenses and inventory costs have increased, the
company has been able to identify operating efficiencies to minimize the impact.

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

The information in this Annual Report includes forward-looking statements.
Important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those discussed in such forward looking statements are detailed
in Exhibit 99.1 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the Year Ended
February 22, 1997; other risks or uncertainties may be detailed from time to
time in the company's future Securities and Exchange Commission filings.


                                      21
<PAGE>
 
                   Ten Year Financial and Operating Summary
                   ----------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        1997              1996               1995 (b)           1994       
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>                <C>                <C>             
Statement of Earnings Data (a)
  Net sales                                              $16,551,902       $16,486,321       $16,563,772        $15,936,925
  Cost of sales                                           14,885,249        14,906,602        15,040,117         14,523,434
  Selling and administrative expense                       1,286,121         1,212,967         1,169,843          1,044,433
  Restructuring and other charges                                 --                --           244,000                 --
  Interest, net                                              120,695           116,678           111,271             89,767
  Equity in earnings of ShopKo                                20,675            17,618            17,384             14,789
  Earnings before taxes and 
    accounting change                                        280,512           267,692            15,925            294,080
  Provision for income taxes                                 105,468           101,259           (27,409)           108,827
  Net earnings                                               175,044           166,433            43,334            185,253

  Earnings per common share
    before accounting change                                    2.60              2.44               .61               2.58
  Net earnings per common share                                 2.60              2.44               .61               2.58
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Data (a)
  Inventories (FIFO)                                     $ 1,221,344       $ 1,158,028       $ 1,230,017        $ 1,227,170
  Working capital (d)                                        361,260           355,124           319,429            452,121
  Net property, plant and equipment                        1,648,524         1,600,166         1,571,298          1,410,123
  Total assets                                             4,283,326         4,183,503         4,305,149          4,042,351
  Long-term debt (e)                                       1,420,591         1,445,562         1,459,766          1,262,995
  Stockholders' equity                                     1,307,423         1,216,176         1,193,222          1,275,458
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Statistics (a)
  Earnings before accounting change
    as a percent of net sales                                   1.06%             1.01%              .26%              1.16%
  Return on average stockholders'
    equity                                                     13.89%            13.96%             3.46%             15.40%
  Book value per common share                            $     19.46       $     17.94       $     16.92        $     17.62
  Current ratio (d)                                           1.26:1            1.27:1            1.22:1             1.37:1
  Debt to capital ratio                                           56%               57%               59%                53%
  Dividends declared per
    common share                                         $       .99 1/2   $       .97       $       .92 1/2    $       .85 1/2
  Weighted average common shares
    outstanding                                               67,255            68,277            71,388             71,817
  Depreciation and amortization                          $   232,071       $   219,084       $   198,718        $   186,261
  Capital expenditures, excluding
    retailer financing                                   $   285,939       $   271,456       $   319,560        $   239,602
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Notes:
(a)  Amounts for all years prior to 1992 have been restated to reflect the
     company's ownership percentage in ShopKo under the equity method of
     accounting because of the sale of a 54 percent interest in ShopKo,
     effective October 16, 1991. Fiscal 1992 contained 53 weeks; all other years
     cover 52 weeks. Dollars in thousands except per share and percentage data.
(b)  Net earnings were reduced by restructuring and other charges of $159.4
     million ($2.23 per share). The provision for income taxes includes a
     reversal of $40.8 million ($.57 per share) of deferred taxes in 1995
     related to the partial disposition of ShopKo in 1992. The 1995 ratios were
     calculated including the restructuring and other charges and including the
     reversal of $40.8 million of deferred taxes related to the partial
     disposition of ShopKo. The ratios for earnings before accounting change as
     a percent of net sales and the return on average stockholders' equity would
     have been .98 and 12.95 percent, respectively, if the restructuring and
     other charges and the reversal of $40.8 million of deferred taxes had been
     excluded.
(c)  The cumulative effect of adopting Statement of Financial Accounting
     Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other
     Than Pensions," resulted in a decrease in net earnings of $13,288,000 ($.18
     per share). A $51,304,000 after-tax gain on the sale of a 54 percent
     interest in ShopKo was included in fiscal 1992 net earnings ($.69 per
     share). All statistics include the results of both transactions.
(d)  Working capital and current ratio are calculated after adding back the LIFO
     reserve.
(e)  Total long-term debt includes long-term debt and long-term obligations
     under capital leases.

                                      22
<PAGE>
 

 

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       1993            1992 (c)        1991            1990           1989           1988
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>
Statement of Earnings Data (a)
  Net sales                            $12,568,000     $10,632,301     $10,104,899     $9,734,811     $9,061,176     $8,331,333
  Cost of sales                         11,531,394       9,807,633       9,360,886      9,043,953      8,429,692      7,751,172
  Selling and administrative expense       746,857         583,789         531,972        484,586        433,177        399,504
  Restructuring and other charges               --              --              --             --             --             --
  Interest, net                             54,203          34,320          31,441         33,104         34,532         30,089
  Equity in earnings of ShopKo              23,072          32,176          45,080         42,562         36,943         27,122
  Earnings before taxes and
    accounting change                      258,618         322,840         225,680        215,730        200,718        177,690
  Provision for income taxes                94,092         115,175          70,544         67,984         63,250         64,678
  Net earnings                             164,526         194,377         155,136        147,746        137,468        113,012

  Earnings per common share
    before accounting change                  2.31            2.78            2.06           1.97           1.84           1.51
  Net earnings per common share               2.31            2.60            2.06           1.97           1.84           1.51
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance Sheet Data (a)
  Inventories (FIFO)                   $ 1,247,337     $   862,621     $   785,395     $  726,194     $  688,947     $  618,545
  Working capital (d)                      361,093         534,182         196,217        188,139        165,887        217,320
  Net property, plant and equipment      1,384,241         879,186         789,443        701,162        666,508        518,197
  Total assets                           4,064,189       2,484,300       2,401,357      2,239,900      2,116,202      1,844,918
  Long-term debt (e)                     1,347,386         608,241         567,444        549,694        557,828        529,894
  Stockholders' equity                   1,134,820       1,030,981         978,678        869,891        763,706        660,720
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Statistics (a)
  Earnings before accounting change
    as a percent of net sales                 1.31%           1.95%           1.54%          1.52%          1.52%          1.36%
  Return on average stockholders'
    equity                                   15.32%          20.17%          16.82%         18.12%         19.31%         18.28%
  Book value per common share          $     15.84     $     14.35     $     13.01     $    11.59     $    10.20     $     8.84
  Current ratio (d)                         1.27:1          1.72:1          1.24:1         1.25:1         1.22:1         1.35:1
  Debt to capital ratio                         59%             43%             46%            46%            46%            49%
  Dividends declared per
    common share                       $       .76 1/2 $       .70 1/2 $       .64 1/2 $      .58 1/2 $      .48 1/2 $       .43 1/2
  Weighted average common shares
    outstanding                             71,341          74,700          75,165         74,972         74,785          74,634
  Depreciation and amortization        $   140,790     $   111,488     $   105,582     $   95,593     $   86,944     $    85,179
  Capital expenditures, excluding
    retailer financing                 $   164,728     $   175,624     $   203,199     $  142,899     $  193,218     $   137,533
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      23

<PAGE>
 
         Consolidated Composition of Net Sales and Operating Earnings
         ============================================================
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries


The following table sets forth, for each of the last five fiscal years, the
composition of the company's net sales and operating earnings.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except percent data)                    1997             1996              1995             1994            1993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>             <C>
Food distribution                               $14,545,266      $14,685,899      $14,820,009       $14,361,255     $11,448,148
                                                       87.9%            89.1%            89.5%             90.1%           91.1%
Retail food                                       4,719,079        4,412,203        4,219,691         3,696,145       2,699,075
                                                       28.5%            26.7%            25.4%             23.2%           21.5%
Less: Eliminations                               (2,712,443)      (2,611,781)      (2,475,928)       (2,120,475)     (1,579,223)
                                                      (16.4)%          (15.8)%          (14.9)%           (13.3)%         (12.6)%
   Total net sales                              $16,551,902      $16,486,321      $16,563,772       $15,936,925     $12,568,000
                                                      100.0%           100.0%           100.0%            100.0%          100.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating earnings
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food distribution                               $   310,455      $   334,673      $   257,495       $   365,527     $   284,337
Retail food                                          93,662           57,176         (104,338)           31,366          24,842
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total operating earnings                         404,117          391,849          153,157           396,893         309,179

Interest expense, net                              (120,695)        (116,678)        (111,271)          (89,767)        (54,203)
General corporate expenses                          (23,585)         (25,097)         (43,345)          (27,835)        (19,430)
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Earnings before equity in earnings
    of ShopKo and income taxes                      259,837          250,074           (1,459)          279,291         235,546
Equity in earnings of ShopKo                         20,675           17,618           17,384            14,789          23,072
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Earnings before income taxes                 $   280,512      $   267,692      $    15,925       $   294,080     $   258,618
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food distribution                               $ 2,746,284      $ 2,684,088      $ 2,843,862       $ 2,644,670     $ 2,830,400
Retail food                                       1,166,870        1,126,197        1,121,596           948,551         837,148
Corporate                                           370,172          373,218          339,691           449,130         396,641
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                        $ 4,283,326      $ 4,183,503      $ 4,305,149       $ 4,042,351     $ 4,064,189
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food distribution                               $   122,778      $   115,507      $   107,471       $   105,763     $    83,686
Retail food                                          90,389           85,010           76,145            64,924          48,303
Corporate                                            18,904           18,567           15,102            15,574           8,801
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                        $   232,071      $   219,084      $   198,718       $   186,261     $   140,790
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Food distribution                               $   139,779      $   102,435      $   159,838       $   131,322     $    60,408
Retail food                                         120,881          137,914          119,605            69,939          78,715
Corporate                                            25,279           31,107           40,117            38,341          25,605
                                                -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Total                                        $   285,939      $   271,456      $   319,560       $   239,602     $   164,728
===============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The company's food distribution operations include sales to independently owned
and operated food stores, sales to food stores owned by the company, and the
operations of several allied service operations throughout the United States.
Retail food operations include sales by food stores owned by the company, other
than transition retail food stores. Eliminations include food distribution sales
to food stores included in the retail food segment.

Industry segment operating earnings were computed as total revenue less
associated operating expenses, which exclude general corporate expenses, net
interest expense and income taxes.

Identifiable assets are those assets directly associated with the industry
segments.

Operating earnings in 1995 for food distribution and retail food were reduced by
$93.1 and $138.4 million, respectively, for restructuring and other charges.
General corporate expenses includes $12.6 million for restructuring and other
charges.

See notes following the Ten Year Financial and Operating Summary and notes to
the consolidated financial statements.

                                      24
<PAGE>
 
                     Consolidated Statements of Earnings
                     -----------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)                               Fiscal Year Ended
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        February 22,   February 24,   February 25,
                                                                1997           1996           1995
                                                          (52 Weeks)     (52 Weeks)     (52 Weeks)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>
Net sales                                                $16,551,902    $16,486,321    $16,563,772
Costs and expenses
  Cost of sales                                           14,885,249     14,906,602     15,040,117
  Selling and administrative expenses                      1,286,121      1,212,967      1,169,843
  Restructuring and other charges                                 --             --        244,000
  Interest
    Interest expense                                         136,831        140,150        135,383
    Interest income                                           16,136         23,472         24,112
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Interest expense, net                                  120,695        116,678        111,271
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total costs and expenses                          16,292,065     16,236,247     16,565,231
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings (loss) before equity in earnings of ShopKo
 and income taxes                                            259,837        250,074         (1,459)
Equity in earnings of ShopKo                                  20,675         17,618         17,384
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings before income taxes                                 280,512        267,692         15,925
Provision for income taxes
 Current                                                      77,591         36,692        113,505
 Deferred                                                     27,877         64,567       (140,914)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Income tax expense                                        105,468        101,259        (27,409)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net earnings                                             $   175,044    $   166,433    $    43,334
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding          67,255         68,277         71,388

Net earnings per common share                            $      2.60    $      2.44    $       .61
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      25
<PAGE>
 
                          Consolidated Balance Sheets
                       ---------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)                                             February 22, 1997  February 24, 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>                <C>
Assets
Current Assets
 Cash                                                                                    $    6,539         $    5,215
 Receivables, less allowance for losses of $17,806 in 1997 
  and $22,064 in 1996                                                                       403,835            380,611
 Inventories                                                                              1,091,805          1,029,911
 Other current assets                                                                        98,620            137,972
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Total current assets                                                                    1,600,799          1,553,709
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term notes receivable                                                                   45,588             36,731
Long-term investment in direct financing leases                                              84,350             74,185
Property, plant and equipment
 Land                                                                                       140,427            146,535
 Buildings                                                                                  957,815            903,621
 Property under construction                                                                 28,030             53,775
 Leasehold improvements                                                                     150,040            137,551
 Equipment                                                                                1,113,486            988,963
 Assets under capital leases                                                                298,757            270,549
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                          2,688,555          2,500,994
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
 Owned property, plant and equipment                                                        983,229            855,429
 Assets under capital leases                                                                 56,802             45,399
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net property, plant and equipment                                                       1,648,524          1,600,166
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment in ShopKo                                                                        209,789            193,975
Goodwill                                                                                    491,427            499,688
Other assets                                                                                202,849            225,049
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                                                             $4,283,326         $4,183,503
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                      26
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            February 22, 1997   February 24, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                 <C>
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
 Notes payable                                                                     $  134,272          $  158,027
 Accounts payable                                                                     923,958             965,444
 Current maturities of long-term debt                                                  72,905               8,483
 Current obligations under capital leases                                              21,544              17,955
 Other current liabilities                                                            216,399             176,793
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                         1,369,078           1,326,702
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LONG-TERM DEBT                                                                      1,087,162           1,144,600

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS UNDER CAPITAL LEASES                                            333,429             300,962

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                                  38,054              37,076

OTHER LIABILITIES                                                                     148,180             157,987

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES                                                              --                  --
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Preferred stock, no par value: Authorized 1,000 shares
  Shares issued and outstanding, 6 in 1997 and 1996 ($1,000 stated value)               5,908               5,908
 Common stock, $1.00 par value: Authorized 200,000 shares
  Shares issued, 75,335, in 1997 and 1996                                              75,335              75,335
 Capital in excess of par value                                                        13,296              12,737
 Retained earnings                                                                  1,444,755           1,336,942
 Treasury stock, at cost, 8,453 shares in 1997 and 7,892 in 1996                     (231,871)           (214,746)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                        1,307,423           1,216,176
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                         $4,283,326          $4,183,503
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      27
<PAGE>
 
               Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
               -----------------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)                                               Capital in
                                                              Preferred  Common     Excess of   Treasury    Retained
                                                                Stock     Stock     Par Value    Stock      Earnings      Total
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>          <C>
Balances at February 26, 1994                                  $5,908    $75,335    $12,966    $ (86,868)  $1,268,117   $1,275,458
Net earnings                                                       --         --         --           --       43,334       43,334
Sales of common stock under option plans                           --         --       (290)       1,435           --        1,145
Cash dividends declared on common stock--$.925 per share           --         --         --           --      (66,024)     (66,024)
Compensation under employee incentive plans                        --         --         41          253           --          294
Purchase of shares for treasury                                    --         --         --      (52,065)          --      (52,065)
Other                                                              --         --         --           --       (8,920)      (8,920)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at February 25, 1995                                   5,908     75,335     12,717     (137,245)   1,236,507    1,193,222
Net earnings                                                       --         --         --           --      166,433      166,433
Sales of common stock under option plans                           --         --        (84)       3,458           --        3,374
Cash dividends declared on common stock--$.970 per share           --         --         --           --      (65,998)     (65,998)
Compensation under employee incentive plans                        --         --        104         (869)          --         (765)
Purchase of shares for treasury                                    --         --         --      (80,090)          --      (80,090)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at February 24, 1996                                   5,908     75,335     12,737     (214,746)   1,336,942    1,216,176
Net earnings                                                       --         --         --           --      175,044      175,044
Sales of common stock under option plans                           --         --        378        3,786           --        4,164
Cash dividends declared on common stock--$.995 per share           --         --         --           --      (67,231)     (67,231)
Compensation under employee incentive plans                        --         --        181          650           --          831
Purchase of shares for treasury                                    --         --         --      (21,561)          --      (21,561)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balances at February 22, 1997                                  $5,908    $75,335    $13,296    $(231,871)  $1,444,755   $1,307,423
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      28
<PAGE>
 
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                    -------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)                                                                                     FISCAL YEAR ENDED
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       FEBRUARY 22,   FEBRUARY 24,   FEBRUARY 25,
                                                                                               1997           1996           1995
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 Net earnings                                                                             $ 175,044      $ 166,433      $  43,334
 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
   Equity in earnings of ShopKo                                                             (20,675)       (17,618)       (17,384)
   Dividends received from ShopKo                                                             4,862          6,482          6,482
   Depreciation and amortization                                                            232,071        219,084        198,718
   Provision for losses on receivables                                                        8,851          2,269          1,627
   Restructuring and other charges                                                               --             --        244,000
   Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment                                             (3,530)       (12,215)        (3,689)
   Deferred income taxes                                                                     27,877         64,567       (140,914)
   Treasury shares contributed to employee incentive plan                                       430            107            525
 Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effect from acquisitions:
   Receivables                                                                              (30,509)        17,865        (14,862)
   Inventories                                                                              (58,658)        79,880         52,296
   Other current assets                                                                      12,408         (2,671)         4,638
   Direct financing leases                                                                    9,111          8,302          9,517
   Accounts payable                                                                         (53,872)       (59,218)        18,444
   Other liabilities                                                                         25,379        (51,569)       (49,804)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                   328,789        421,698        352,928
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 Additions to long-term notes receivable                                                    (52,727)       (28,394)       (32,052)
 Proceeds received on long-term notes receivable                                             43,870         64,757         33,396
 Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment                                         78,825         94,733         43,854
 Purchase of property, plant and equipment                                                 (244,682)      (236,248)      (298,124)
 Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                                                 (4,996)            --       (111,083)
 Other investing activities                                                                 (16,920)       (39,645)        33,033
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                                      (196,630)      (144,797)      (330,976)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 Net increase (decrease) in checks outstanding, net of deposits                               3,270          3,972        (11,928)
 Net issuance (reduction) of short-term notes payable                                       (23,755)       (68,141)       199,530
 Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                     3,193        257,500        150,000
 Repayment of long-term debt                                                                 (7,612)      (308,406)      (221,245)
 Reduction of obligations under capital leases                                              (21,205)       (17,529)       (19,095)
 Proceeds from the sale of common stock under option plans                                    3,719          2,291            212
 Dividends paid                                                                             (66,884)       (66,122)       (65,368)
 Payment for purchase of treasury stock                                                     (21,561)       (80,090)       (52,065)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                                      (130,835)      (276,525)       (19,959)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash                                                                          1,324            376          1,993
Cash at beginning of year                                                                     5,215          4,839          2,846
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CASH AT END OF YEAR                                                                       $   6,539      $   5,215      $   4,839
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      29
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  ------------------------------------------
                    SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
      
 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and
all its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions
have been eliminated.

Revenue and Income Recognition:
Revenues and income from product sales are recognized upon shipment of the
product for food distribution and at the point of sale for retail food. Revenues
and income from services rendered are recognized immediately after such services
have been provided.

Inventories:
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined
through use of the last-in, first-out method (LIFO) for a major portion of
consolidated inventories: 76.3 percent for fiscal 1997 and 78.9 percent for
fiscal 1996. The first-in, first-out method (FIFO) is used to determine cost for
remaining inventories which are principally perishable products. Market is
replacement value. If the FIFO method had been used to determine cost of
inventories for which the LIFO method is used, the company's inventories would
have been higher by approximately $129.5 million at February 22, 1997 and $128.1
million at February 24, 1996.

Property, plant and equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation, as well as
amortization of assets under capital leases, is based on the estimated useful
lives of the assets using a straight-line method. Estimated useful lives
generally are 5 to 40 years for buildings and major improvements; 3 to 10 years
for equipment; and term of the lease or expected life for leasehold
improvements. Interest on property under construction of $2.0, $2.6 and $2.7
million was capitalized in fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Goodwill:
Amounts paid in excess of the fair value of acquired net assets are amortized on
a straight-line basis. The recoverability of goodwill is assessed by determining
whether the goodwill balance can be recovered through projected cash flows and
operating results over its remaining life. Any impairment of the asset would be
recognized when it is probable that such future undiscounted cash flows will be
less than the carrying value of the asset. As of February 22, 1997, $400 million
of goodwill related to the acquisition of Wetterau Incorporated in fiscal 1993
is being amortized over 40 years. Goodwill related to other acquisitions is
being amortized over 15 to 20 years. Goodwill is shown net of accumulated
amortization of $66.9 and $48.6 million for fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.

Accounts payable:
Accounts payable include $75.8 and $72.5 million at February 22, 1997 and
February 24, 1996, respectively, of issued checks which had not cleared the
company's bank accounts, reduced by deposits in transit and cash on deposit in
the company's depository banks.


Fair value disclosures of financial instruments:
The estimated fair value of notes receivable approximates the net carrying value
at February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996. Notes receivable are valued based on
comparisons to publicly traded debt instruments of similar credit quality.

At February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996 the estimated fair market value of
the company's long-term debt (including current maturities) exceeded the
carrying value by approximately $33 and $57 million, respectively. The estimated
fair value was based on market quotes where available, discounted cash flows and
market yields for similar instruments. The estimated fair market value of the
company's commercial paper outstanding as of February 22, 1997 and February 24,
1996 approximated the carrying value.

Pre-opening costs:
Pre-opening costs of retail stores are charged against earnings as incurred.

Net earnings per share:
Net earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Outstanding stock options do not
have a significant dilutive effect on earnings per share. Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings per Share" was issued in
February 1997 and will be adopted in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998. The
adoption of SFAS No. 128 is not expected to have a significant impact on the
calculation of earnings per share as currently reported.

Use of Estimates:
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications:
Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' consolidated financial
statements to conform to 1997 presentation. These reclassifications did not
affect results of operations as previously reported.

Restructuring and Other Charges
In fiscal 1995, restructuring and other charges totaling $244.0 million were
incurred for the implementation of the ADVANTAGE project, the sale, closure or
restructure of certain retail businesses and the recognition of certain asset
impairments. The aggregate charges included $204.8 million for activities under
the restructuring plan and an additional $39.2 million for asset impairment. The
asset impairment charge covered intangibles in businesses where future
undiscounted cash flow was not sufficient to recover the book value of the
recorded intangible.

                                      30
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  ------------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

 
Of the $204.8 million restrucuring charge, $18.0 million represented the
reduction of the carrying value of certain assets to their fair market value.
The company utilized approximately $28.0 million and $64.0 million of the
reserve in 1995 and 1996, respectively, primarily for the closedown and disposal
of assets at 23 underperforming corporate retail stores, for carrying costs and
losses on disposition of tangible assets and employee separation costs.

In 1997 the company utilized $44.0 million of the reserve primarily for carrying
costs and losses on the disposition of property as well as the closing of
underperforming corporate retail stores and employee separation costs.

The remaining $50.8 million of reserve is expected to be utilized for the
completion of property sales, employee separation costs, the closing of
underperforming retail stores, and for certain non cancelable lease and other
obligations which will extend beyond fiscal 1998.

Notes Receivable

Notes receivable arise from fixture and other financing related to independently
owned retail food operations. Loans to independent retailers, as well as trade
accounts receivable, are primarily collateralized by the retailers' inventory,
equipment and fixtures. The notes range in length from 1 to 10 years with the
average being 6 years, and may be non-interest bearing or bear interest at rates
ranging primarily from 5 to 12 percent.

Included in current receivables are notes receivable due within one year
totaling $6.6 and $5.7 million at February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996,
respectively.

Investment In ShopKo

The company's ownership in ShopKo, a mass merchandise discount retailer, is 46
percent and is accounted for under the equity method.

Summarized financial information of ShopKo is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
=============================================================
(In thousands)                   1997        1996        1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                        <C>         <C>         <C> 
Sales                      $2,333,407  $1,968,016  $1,852,929
Gross profit                  549,666     501,283     488,016
Net earnings                   44,946      38,439      37,790
=============================================================
=============================================================
(In thousands)                               1997        1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------
Current assets                           $565,172    $476,191
Non-current assets                        668,720     641,769
Current liabilities                       333,315     260,795
Non-current liabilities                   439,713     435,534
- ------------------------------------------------------------- 
</TABLE>

On April 25, 1997, the company announced that ShopKo agreed to repurchase
8,174,387 shares of their stock from SUPERVALU for $150 million. Simultaneously,
SUPERVALU will sell their remaining shares of ShopKo common stock in a secondary
public offering. SUPERVALU is required to proceed with the secondary offering if
the share price in the offering is at or above $18.35, but could at its option,
proceed at a lower price. The two transactions, which are cross-conditional and
subject to other conditions, are expected to close in the summer of 1997.

Debt

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
===============================================================
(In thousands,                       February 22,  February 24,
except payment data)                         1997          1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>           <C>
7.800%-8.875% promissory notes         $  400,000    $  400,000
 semi-annual interest payments of
 $16.1 million; due 2002 to 2022
5.92%-6.69% medium-term notes             157,500       157,500
 semi-annual interest payments of
 $4.9 million; due 1997 to 2005
7.25% promissory notes                    150,000       150,000
 semi-annual interest payments of
 $5.4 million; due 1999
Notes payable                             100,000       100,000
Variable rate to 8.25% industrial          89,369        89,833
 revenue bonds
9.67% senior subordinated notes            75,000        75,000
 due 1998
8.875%-9.64% promissory notes              70,000        70,000
 semi-annual interest payments of
 $3.2 million; due 1997 to 1999
6.00%-11.50% promissory notes              38,482        29,268
 due 1998 to 2004
8.28%-9.46% promissory notes due 2010      23,893        24,804
9.96% promissory notes due 2005            21,247        22,698
8.875% sinking fund debentures due 2016    22,110        22,110
3.00%-8.50% mortgages payable due           3,154         4,072
 1997 to 2008
Other debt                                  9,312         7,798
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                        1,160,067     1,153,083
Less current maturities                    72,905         8,483
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt                         $1,087,162    $1,144,600
===============================================================
</TABLE>

Aggregate maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years are:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

===============================================================
(In thousands)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
1998                                                   $ 72,905
1999                                                    149,783
2000                                                    207,881
2001                                                    180,157
2002                                                     10,190
===============================================================
</TABLE>


                                      31
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  ------------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

 
The company has a $400 million revolving credit agreement that expires in May
2000. The company pays an annual facility fee of .125 percent for the credit
agreement. The company also has a $400 million "shelf registration" in effect
under which $157.5 million of medium-term notes were issued in fiscal 1996.

As of February 22, 1997, and February 24, 1996, commercial paper borrowings of
$100 million were classified as long-term debt, reflecting SUPERVALU's intent
and ability, through the existence of the revolving credit agreement, to
refinance these borrowings. The debt agreements contain various covenants,
including minimum tangible net worth requirements and maximum permitted
leverage. Under the most restrictive covenants, retained earnings of
approximately $159 million were available at year-end for payment of cash
dividends.

The weighted-average interest rate on short-term borrowings outstanding at
February 22, 1997, and February 24, 1996, was 5.5 percent.


Leases

Capital and operating leases:
The company leases certain food distribution warehouse and office facilities, as
well as corporate-owned retail food stores. Many of these leases include renewal
options, and to a limited extent, include options to purchase.

Amortization of assets under capital leases was $18.2 , $13.8 and $12.9 million
in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Future minimum obligations under capital leases in effect at February 22, 1997
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
==============================================================
(In thousands)                                           Lease
Year                                               Obligations
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>
1998                                                  $ 34,944
1999                                                    34,649
2000                                                    33,997
2001                                                    33,133
2002                                                    32,379
Later                                                  300,693
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total future minimum obligations                       469,795
Less interest                                          203,041
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of net future minimum obligations        266,754
Less current portion                                    12,718
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term obligations                                 $254,036
==============================================================
</TABLE>

The present values of future minimum obligations shown are calculated based on
interest rates ranging from 7.1 percent to 13.8 percent, with a weighted average
of 9.4 percent, determined to be applicable at the inception of the leases.

In addition to its capital leases, the company is obligated under operating
leases, primarily for buildings, warehouse and computer equipment.

Future minimum obligations under operating leases in effect at February 22, 1997
are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

==============================================================
(In thousands)                                           Lease
Year                                               Obligations
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>
1998                                                  $ 55,252
1999                                                    50,172
2000                                                    44,349
2001                                                    38,237
2002                                                    31,911
Later                                                  159,257
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total future minimum obligations                      $379,178
==============================================================
</TABLE>

Total rent expense, net of sublease income, relating to all operating leases
with terms greater than one year was $36.5, $33.0, and $32.9 million in fiscal
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Future minimum receivables under operating leases and subleases in effect at
February 22, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

==============================================================
(In thousands)                     Owned     Leased
Year                            Property   Property      Total
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                             <C>        <C>       <C>
1998                             $ 3,754   $ 18,837  $  22,591
1999                               3,205     16,163     19,368
2000                               2,380     13,619     15,999
2001                               1,888     11,353     13,241
2002                               1,717      8,259      9,976
Later                              7,343     35,552     42,895
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Total future
 minimum receivables             $20,287   $103,783   $124,070
==============================================================
</TABLE>

Owned property under operating leases is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

==============================================================
(In thousands)                      February 22,  February 24,
                                            1997          1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>           <C>
Land, buildings and equipment            $45,513       $52,940
Less accumulated depreciation             14,922        17,675
- --------------------------------------------------------------
Net land, buildings and equipment        $30,591       $35,265
==============================================================
</TABLE>

Direct financing leases:

Under direct financing capital leases, the company leases buildings on behalf of
independent retailers with terms ranging from 5 to 25 years.


                                      32
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  ------------------------------------------
                       SUPERVALUE INC. And Subsidiaries

Future minimum rentals to be received under direct financing leases and the
related future minimum obligations under capital leases in effect at February
22, 1997 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                  Direct Financing    Capital Lease
Year                           Lease Receivables      Obligations
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>              <C>
1998                                    $ 17,775         $ 16,423
1999                                      16,058           14,928
2000                                      14,054           13,102
2001                                      11,601           10,846
2002                                      10,575            9,912
Later                                     82,370           77,554
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments             152,433          142,765
Less unearned income                      59,316               --
Less interest                                 --           54,547
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Present value of net minimum
 lease payments                           93,117           88,218
Less current portion                       8,767            8,826
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term portion                       $ 84,350         $ 79,392
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                    1997         1996         1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                           <C>          <C>          <C>
Current
 Federal                      $ 64,033     $ 30,427     $ 93,785
 State                          13,730        6,548       20,060
 Tax credits                      (172)        (283)        (340)
Deferred
 ShopKo deferred tax benefit        --           --      (40,783)
 Restructuring and
  other charges                 15,599       31,565      (75,803)
 Other                          12,278       33,002      (24,328)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total provision (benefit)     $105,468     $101,259     $(27,409)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The difference between the actual tax provision (benefit) and the tax provision
(benefit) computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate to earnings
(loss) before taxes is attributable to the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                       1997       1996        1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>         <C>
Federal taxes based on
 statutory rate                  $ 98,180   $ 93,692    $  5,574
State income taxes, net of
 federal benefit                   12,763     12,180         725
ShopKo deferred tax benefit            --         --     (40,783)
Benefit of dividends
 received deduction                (7,793)    (6,455)     (6,910)
Nondeductible goodwill              6,277      5,973      17,990
Other                              (3,959)    (4,131)     (4,005)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total provision (benefit)        $105,468   $101,259    $(27,409)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The company recorded a tax benefit of $40.8 million in 1995 for the reversal of
deferred taxes related to the 1992 sale of 54 percent of the then wholly-owned
ShopKo Stores, Inc. to reflect a favorable Internal Revenue Service settlement.

Temporary differences which give rise to significant portions of the net
deferred tax asset as of February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                                   1997       1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
 Depreciation and amortization              $  18,442  $  15,468
 Restructuring and other charges               28,639     44,238
 Net operating loss from acquired
   subsidiaries                                21,968     25,241
 Valuation allowance                           (8,000)    (8,000)
 Provision for obligations and
  contingencies to be settled in
  future periods                              139,774    146,862
 Inventory                                     14,559     10,121
 Other                                          8,858      9,123
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax assets                     224,240    243,053
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
 Depreciation and amortization                (85,867)   (86,314)
 Acquired assets adjustment to fair values    (85,699)   (84,335)
 Accelerated tax deductions for
   benefits to be paid in future periods      (30,483)   (21,813)
 Other                                         (5,641)    (5,881)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Total deferred tax liabilities               (207,690)  (198,343)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset                      $  16,550  $  44,710
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The company has acquired net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards of $58.1 million
for tax purposes which expire beginning in 2000, and continuing through 2010. A
valuation allowance of $8.0 million relates to NOL carryforwards not expected to
be realized.

Temporary differences attributable to obligations and contingencies consist
primarily of valuation allowances, accrued postretirement benefits and vacation
pay, and other expenses which are not deductible for income tax purposes until
paid.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The company's non-cash investing and financing activities were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)                        1997      1996        1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>       <C>      <C>
Leased asset additions and
 related obligation                $41,257   $37,769    $ 22,695
                                   ------------------------------ 
Acquisitions:
 Fair value of assets acquired      25,169        --     402,885
 Cash paid                           5,014        --     117,477
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities assumed                $20,155        --    $285,408
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      33
<PAGE>
 
                   Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                   -----------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 
Payments for interest and income taxes were as follows:
=================================================================
(In thousands)                           1997      1996      1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>       <C>       <C>
Interest (net of amount  
 capitalized)                        $136,618  $144,599  $134,251
Income taxes                           58,551    61,994   123,808
=================================================================
</TABLE>

Stock Option Plans

The company's 1993 and 1983 stock option plans allow the granting of non-
qualified stock options and incentive stock options to key salaried executive
employees at prices not less than 100 percent of fair market value, determined
by averaging the open and close price on the date of grant. The plans provide
that the Board of Directors or the Executive Personnel and Compensation
Committee of the Board may determine at the time of granting whether each option
granted will be a non-qualified or incentive stock option under the Internal
Revenue Code. The term of each option will be determined by the Board of
Directors or the Committee, but shall not be for more than 10 years from the
date of grant. Options may be exercised in installments or otherwise, as the
Board of Directors or the Committee may determine.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Changes in the options were as follows:
===================================================================
                                        Shares     Weighted Average
                                 (In thousands)     Price Per Share
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>        <C>
Outstanding, February 26, 1994            2,765              $27.57
 Granted                                    910               31.77
 Exercised                                  (66)              20.74
 Canceled and forfeitedd                     (70)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, February 25, 1995            3,539               28.79
 Granted                                  1,444               27.36
 Exercised                                 (187)              24.30
 Canceled and forfeited                    (195)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, February 24, 1996            4,601               28.43
 Granted                                    705               31.50
 Exercised                                 (199)              25.81
 Canceled and forfeited                     (79)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding, February 22, 1997            5,028              $28.92
===================================================================
</TABLE>

The outstanding stock options at February 22, 1997 have exercise prices ranging
from $18.38 to $39.25 and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 6.1
years. Options to purchase 3.1 and 2.6 million shares were exercisable at
February 22, 1997, and February 24, 1996, respectively. These options have a
weighted average exercise price of $28.54 and $27.98, respectively. Option
shares available for grant were 1.1 and 1.8 million at February 22, 1997, and
February 24, 1996, respectively. The company has reserved 6.2 million shares, in
aggregate, for the plans.

As of February 22, 1997, limited stock appreciation rights have been granted and
are outstanding under the 1978, 1989 and 1993 Stock Appreciation Rights Plans.
Such rights relate to options granted to purchase 2.0 million shares of common
stock and are exercisable only upon a "change of control."

In 1997 the company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation." The company has elected to
continue following the accounting guidance of Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" for measurement and
recognition of stock-based transactions with employees. No compensation cost has
been recognized for options issued under the Stock Option Plans because the
exercise price of all options granted was not less than 100 percent of fair
market value of the common stock on the date of grant. Had compensation cost for
the stock options issued been determined based on the fair value at the grant
date, consistent with provisions of SFAS No. 123, the company's 1997 and 1996
net income and earnings per share would have been changed to the pro forma
amounts indicated below:









<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
=============================================================
(In thousands, except per share amounts)       1997      1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>
Net earnings
 As reported                               $175,044  $166,433
 Pro forma                                  173,568   165,565
 
Earnings per share
 As reported                               $   2.60  $   2.44
 Pro forma                                     2.58      2.42
 
</TABLE>

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions and results:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
=============================================================
Assumptions                                    1997      1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>       <C>
 
Dividend yield                                3.31%     3.30%
Risk free interest rate                       6.42%     5.81%
Expected life                              7 years   7 years
Expected volatility                          13.78%    11.52%
Estimated fair value of options 
 granted per share                           $6.19     $4.75
 
</TABLE>

Treasury Stock Purchase Program

In August 1996, the Board of Directors instituted a treasury stock program under
which the company is authorized to repurchase up to 5.0 million shares for
reissuance upon the exercise of employee stock options and for other
compensation programs utilizing the company's stock. Upon adoption of the August
1996 program, the December 1994 and February 1994 treasury stock programs were
rescinded. In fiscal 1997, the company repurchased .7 million shares at an
average cost of $28.91 under the August 1996 program. During fiscal 1996, the
company repurchased 2.9 million shares at an average per share cost of $27.99
under the December 1994 program. In fiscal 1995, the company repurchased .6
million shares at an average cost of $34.49 per share under the February 1994
treasury stock program and 1.3 million shares at an average cost of $23.72 per
share under the December 1994 treasury stock program.

                                      34
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  -------------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

 
Stockholder Rights Plan

The company has a "Preferred Share Purchase Rights Plan," in which the Board of
Directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right for each
outstanding share of common stock. The rights, which expire on April 12, 1999,
are exercisable only under certain conditions, and when exercisable the holder
will be entitled to purchase from the company one one-thousandth of a share of a
new series of preferred stock at a price of $95 per one one-thousandth of a
preferred share, subject to certain adjustments. The rights will become
exercisable 10 days after a person or group acquires beneficial ownership of 20
percent or more of the company's shares, or 10 business days (or such later time
as the Board of Directors may determine) after a person or group announces an
offer the consummation of which would result in such person or group owning 20
percent or more of the shares.

Commitments and Contingencies

The company has guaranteed mortgage loan and other debt obligations of $16.7
million. The company has also guaranteed the leases and fixture financing loans
of various affiliated retailers with a present value of $49.4 and $5.3 million,
respectively. The company has provided limited recourse to purchasers of notes
receivable from affiliated retailers with outstanding note balances of $51.3 and
$56.9 million, $18.2 and $17.0 million of which the company has contingent
liability at February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996, respectively. The company
has also entered into note repurchase agreements with various lenders totaling
$7.4 million, under which certain events require the company to repurchase
collateralized loans.

The company is a party to various legal proceedings arising from the normal
course of business activities, none of which, in management's opinion, is
expected to have a material adverse impact on the company's consolidated results
of operations or its financial position.

Retirement Plans

Substantially all non-union employees of the company and its subsidiaries are
covered by various contributory and non-contributory pension or profit-sharing
plans. The company also participates in several multi-employer plans providing
defined benefits to union employees under the provisions of collective
bargaining agreements.

Contributions under the defined contribution profit sharing plans are determined
at the discretion of the Board of Directors and were $2.3, $5.5 and $5.3 million
for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Amounts charged to union pension expense were $34.4, $33.5 and $31.8 million for
fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

Benefit calculations for the company's defined benefit pension plan are based on
years of service and the participants' highest compensation during five
consecutive years of employment. Annual payments to the pension trust fund are
determined in compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(ERISA). Plan assets are held in trust and invested in separately managed
accounts and publicly traded mutual funds holding both equity and fixed income
securities.

The following table sets forth the company's defined benefit pension plans'
funded status and the amounts recognized in the company's financial statements:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
===============================================================================
(In thousands)                                      February 22,   February 24,
                                                            1997           1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>            <C>
Actuarial present value of 
 accumulated benefit obligation:
  Vested                                               $ 189,623      $ 178,894
  Total                                                $ 211,917      $ 197,877
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation                           $ 273,714      $ 244,958
Plan assets at fair value                               (233,410)      (200,985)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation in
 excess of plan assets                                    40,304         43,973
Unrecognized net loss                                    (38,419)       (35,298)
Unrecognized prior service cost                              798            552
Unrecognized transition obligation                          (285)          (380)
Adjustment to minimum liability                               22            138
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pension liability                                      $   2,420       $  8,985
===============================================================================

Net pension expense included the following components:
===============================================================================
(In thousands)                                       1997        1996      1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>         <C>        <C>
Service cost                                     $ 12,197    $  8,742   $10,647
Interest cost                                      18,676      16,815    15,638
Actual return on plan assets                      (27,401)    (32,468)   (4,892)
Net amortization and deferral                       9,878      17,053    (9,490)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net pension expense                              $ 13,350    $ 10,142   $11,903
===============================================================================
</TABLE>
For both 1997 and 1996, the weighted-average discount rate and rate of increase
in future compensation levels used in determining the actuarial present value of
the projected benefit obligation were 7.5 percent and 4.5 percent, respectively.
The expected long-term rate of return on assets was 10 percent. The company
computes pension expense using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method.

The company also maintains non-contributory, unfunded pension plans to provide
certain employees with pension benefits in excess of limits imposed by federal
tax law.

The projected benefit obligation of the unfunded plans were $16.4 and $16.9
million at February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996, respectively. The
accumulated benefit obligation of these plans totaled $12.9 million at February
22, 1997 and February 24, 1996. Net periodic pension cost was $2.2 million for
fiscal 1997 and 1996 and $1.9 million for fiscal 1995.


                                      35
<PAGE>
 
                  Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements
                  ------------------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

 
Other Postretirement Benefits:

In addition to providing pension benefits, the company provides certain health
care and life insurance benefits for retired employees. Employees become
eligible for these benefits upon meeting certain age and service requirements.

The periodic postretirement benefit cost and accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
===================================================================
(In thousands)
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost     1997     1996     1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>      <C>      <C>
Service cost-benefits attributed to
 service during the period                 $1,813   $1,460   $1,901
Interest cost on accumulated
 postretirement benefit obligation          3,932    3,667    4,024
Net amortization and deferral                (261)    (335)      93
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic postretirement
 benefit cost                              $5,484   $4,792   $6,018
===================================================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

===================================================================
Accumulated postretirement            February 22,     February 24,
 benefit obligation                           1997             1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>             <C>
Retirees                                   $22,816         $18,771
Active plan participants                    34,336          34,555
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Total accumulated postretirement
 benefit obligation                         57,152          53,326
Unrecognized loss                           (5,949)         (3,929)
Unrecognized prior service cost              2,221           2,482
- -------------------------------------------------------------------
Postretirement benefit liability           $53,424         $51,879
=================================================================== 
</TABLE>

The weighted average discount rate used in determining the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation was 7.5 percent in 1997 and 1996.

The assumed health care cost trend rate used in measuring the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation for fiscal 1997 was 9 percent decreasing to 6
percent by fiscal 2001. In fiscal 1996, the rate was 12 percent decreasing to 6
percent by fiscal 2002. The health care cost trend rate assumption has a
significant effect on the amounts reported. For example, a 1 percent increase in
the health care trend rate would increase the accumulated postretirement benefit
obligation by $8.5 million and $7.9 million for fiscal 1997 and 1996,
respectively, and the net periodic cost by $.9 million for fiscal 1997 and 1996.


Industry Segment Information

Information concerning the company's continuing operations by business segment
for the years ended February 22, 1997, February 24, 1996 and February 25, 1995,
as required by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 14, "Financial
Reporting for Segments of a Business Enterprise," is contained on page 24.


                   Unaudited Quarterly Financial Information
                   -----------------------------------------


Quarterly unaudited financial information for SUPERVALU INC. and subsidiaries is
as follows:

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except per share data)                  Fiscal Year (52 Weeks) Ended February 22, 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  First       Second        Third       Fourth          Year
                                               (16 wks)     (12 wks)     (12 wks)     (12 wks)      (52 wks)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C> 
Net sales                                    $4,978,761   $3,778,745   $3,904,841   $3,889,555   $16,551,902
Gross profit                                    479,413      380,240      385,210      421,790     1,666,653
Net earnings                                     45,982       35,864       40,217       52,981       175,044
Net earnings per common share                       .68          .53          .60          .79          2.60
Dividends declared per common share                .245         .250         .250         .250          .995
Weighted average shares                          67,482       67,466       67,110       66,885        67,255
============================================================================================================

                                                       Fiscal Year (52 Weeks) Ended February 24, 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  First       Second        Third       Fourth          Year
                                               (16 wks)     (12 wks)     (12 wks)     (12 wks)      (52 wks)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net sales                                    $4,973,037   $3,779,397   $3,886,595   $3,847,292   $16,486,321
Gross profit                                    460,341      351,708      366,845      400,825     1,579,719
Net earnings                                     45,951       33,278       38,445       48,759       166,433
Net earnings per common share                       .66          .49          .57          .72          2.44
Dividends declared per common share                .235         .245         .245         .245          .970
Weighted average shares                          69,225       68,181       67,841       67,504        68,277
============================================================================================================
</TABLE> 

                                      36
<PAGE>
 
                         Independent Auditors' Report
                       ---------------------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries
 
SUPERVALU INC.
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SUPERVALU INC.
and subsidiaries as of February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996, and the related
statements of earnings, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the
three years (52 weeks) in the period ended February 22, 1997. These consolidated
financial statements are the responsibility of the company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
SUPERVALU INC. and subsidiaries as of February 22, 1997 and February 24, 1996,
and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three
years in the period ended February 22, 1997, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
April 3, 1997, except for the Investment in ShopKo Note, as to which the date is
April 25, 1997

                                      37
<PAGE>
 
                             Investor Information
                             --------------------
                        SUPERVALU INC. And Subsidiaries

Annual Meeting

Stockholders are invited to attend the Annual Stockholder's Meeting, which will
be held on June 26, 1997, at 10:30 a.m., Minneapolis time at the:
Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Shareholders may contact the transfer agent with any matter concerning ownership
of SUPERVALU stock.

Norwest Shareowner Services
PO Box 64854
St. Paul, Minnesota 55164 0854
800 468 9716

Stock Exchange

The company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (trading
symbol SVU).

Stockholders of the Company

As of May 8, 1997 there were approximately 7,513 holders of the company's stock.

Form 10-K

A copy of the annual report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form
10-K may be obtained without charge to stock-holders after May 23, 1997.
Requests should be directed to:

Office of the Secretary
SUPERVALU INC.
PO Box 990
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Stockholders of record may elect to participate in the company's dividend
reinvestment plan. No brokerage commission or service fees are charged on any
shares purchased through either reinvested dividends or optional cash payments.
The plan is administered by Norwest Bank Minnesota, N.A. Requests for a brochure
describing terms and conditions of the plan and an authorization card should be
addressed to the Transfer Agent at the address set forth above.

Investor Relations

Inquiries from securities analysts and institutional investors are welcomed and
should be directed to:

Director, Investor Relations
SUPERVALU INC.
P.O. Box 990
Minneapolis, MN 55440
Phone: 612 828 4540

To be added to the company's investor relations mailing list please call or
write:

SUPERVALU INC.
Communications
PO Box 990
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440
Phone: 612 828 4599
Fax: 612 828 8955

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT (21)
                          SUPERVALU INC. SUBSIDIARIES
                               as of May 1, 1997
     (All are Subsidiary Corporations 100% Owned Directly or Indirectly, 
                               Except as Noted)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                                                             PERCENTAGE OF VOTING
                                                         JURISDICTION                          SECURITIES OWNED BY
                                                        OF ORGANIZATION                          IMMEDIATE PARENT
                                                        ---------------                          ----------------
<S>                                                     <C>                                  <C> 
SUPERVALU INC                                            
   Blaine North 1996 L.L.C                                 Delaware Limited Liability Company            70%
   Diamond Lake 1994 L.L.C                                 Delaware Limited Liability Company            25%
   J. M. Jones Equipment Company                           Delaware                                     100%
   Jackson Markets, Inc.                                   Mississippi                                  100%
   Maplewood East 1996 L.L.C                               Delaware Limited Liability Company            70%
   Max Club, Inc.                                          Minnesota                                    100%
   NAFTA Industries Consolidated, Inc.                     Texas                                         51%
        NAFTA Industries, Ltd.                             Texas Limited Partnership                     51%
   NC&T Supermarkets, Inc.                                 Ohio                                         100%
   Nevada Bond Investment Corp. I                          Nevada                                       100%
   Planmark Architecture of Oregon, P.C                    Oregon                                       100%
   Planmark, Inc.                                          Minnesota                                    100%
   Preferred Products, Inc.                                Minnesota                                    100%
   Risk Planners Agency of Ohio, Inc.                      Ohio                                         100%
   Risk Planners of Mississippi, Inc.                      Mississippi                                  100%
   Risk Planners of Pennsylvania, Inc.                     Pennsylvania                                 100%
   Risk Planners, Inc.                                     Minnesota                                    100%
        Risk Planners of Illinois, Inc.                    Illinois                                     100%
        Risk Planners of Montana, Inc.                     Montana                                      100%
   Silver Lake 1996 L.L.C                                  Delaware Limited Liability Company            51%
   SUPERVALU Pharmacies, Inc.                              Minnesota                                    100%
   SUPERVALU Transportation, Inc.                          Minnesota                                    100%
   SUVACO Insurance International, Ltd.                    Islands of Bermuda                           100%
   Sweet Life Foods, Inc.                                  Missouri                                     100%
        Market Development Corporation                     Connecticut                                  100%
        Springfield Sugar & Products Company               Delaware                                     100%
           First Colonial Trading Corporation              Massachusetts                                100%
           Hamlet Trading Corporation                      Massachusetts                                100%
           Sweet Life Products Corporation                 New York                                      75%
   Valu Ventures, Inc.                                     Minnesota                                    100%
   Valu Ventures 2, Inc.                                   Minnesota                                    100%
   Valu Ventures-Albert Lea, Inc.                          Minnesota                                    100%
   Valu Ventures-Duluth, Inc.                              Minnesota                                    100%
   Western Dairy Distributors, Inc.                        Colorado                                     100%
                                                         
   Supermarket Operators of America Inc.                   Delaware                                     100%
        Advantage Logistics - Midwest, Inc.                Delaware                                     100%
        Advantage Logistics - Southeast, Inc.              Alabama                                      100%
        Clyde Evans Markets, Inc.                          Ohio                                         100%
             Clyde Evans, Inc.                             Ohio                                         100%
        Hyper Shoppes, Inc.                                Delaware                                     100%
             HS Real Estate Company, Inc.                  Delaware                                     100%
             Hyper Shoppes (Colorado), Inc.                Colorado                                     100%
                 Hyper Real Estate (Colorado), Inc.        Colorado                                     100%
             Hyper Shoppes (Ohio), Inc.                    Ohio                                         100%
                 bigg's (KY), Inc.                         Delaware                                     100%
                 BFO, Inc.                                 Ohio                                         100%
                 HSO, Inc.                                 Ohio                                         100%
        Scott's Food Stores, Inc.                          Indiana                                      100%
                  SV Ventures*                             Indiana General Partnership                   50%

</TABLE> 
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                           PERCENTAGE OF VOTING 
                                                                   JURISDICTION              SECURITIES OWNED BY
                                                                  OF ORGANIZATION              IMMEDIATE PARENT 
                                                                  ---------------              ----------------
<S>                                                             <C>                        <C> 
Supermarket Operators of America Inc. (continued)

        SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc.                                Missouri                                100%
             Airway Redevelopment Corporation                   Missouri                                100%
             Augsburger's, Inc.                                 Indiana                                 100%
             Glenn-Wohlberg & Company                           Missouri                                100%
             Hazelwood Farms Bakeries, Inc.                     Missouri                                100%
             John Alden Industries, Inc.                        Rhode Island                            100%
             Livonia Holding Company, Inc.                      Michigan                                100%
                  Foodland Distributors                         Michigan General Partnership             50%
             Mohr Developers, Inc.                              Missouri                                100%
             Mohr Distributors of Litchfield, Inc.              Illinois                                100%
             Save Mart Foods, Inc.                              Missouri                                100%
                  Treasure Enterprises, Inc.                    Missouri                                100%
             Shop 'N Save Warehouse Foods, Inc.                 Missouri                                100%
                   WSI Satellite, Inc.                          Missouri                                100%
             SV Ventures*                                       Indiana General Partnership              50%
             SVH Holding, Inc.                                  Delaware                                100%
                   SVH Realty, Inc.                             Delaware                                100%
             USCP-WESCO, Inc.                                   California                              100%
             WC&V Supermarkets, Inc.                            Vermont                                 100%
             Wetterau Finance Co.                               Missouri                                100%
             Wetterau Independence, Inc.                        Missouri                                100%
             Wetterau Insurance Co. Ltd.                        Bermuda                                 100%

             SUPERVALU Operations, Inc.                         Rhode Island                            100%
                  Butson's Enterprises, Inc.                    New Hampshire                           100%
                       Butson's Enterprises of
                       Vermont, Inc.                            Vermont                                 100%
                       Keatherly, Inc.                          New Hampshire                           100%
                       Peoples Market, Incorporated             New Hampshire                           100%
                       Violette's Supermarkets, Inc.            New Hampshire                           100%
                  East Main Development, Inc.                   Rhode Island                            100%
                  Ellsworth Foods, Inc.                         Maine                                   100%
                  Glendale Foods, Inc.                          Pennsylvania                            100%
                  M & C Foods, Inc.                             Pennsylvania                            100%
                  Maryland Specialty Realty Corp.               Maryland                                100%
                  Moran Foods, Inc.                             Missouri                                100%
                       Lot 18 Redevelopment
                       Corporation                              Missouri                                100%
                  Pets, Crafts & Things, Inc.                   Pennsylvania                            100%
                  Total Insurance Marketing
                       Enterprises, Inc.                        Pennsylvania                            100%
                  Ultra Foods, Inc.                             New Jersey                              100%
                  Verona Road Associates, Inc.                  Pennsylvania                            100%
</TABLE> 

        * SV Ventures is a general partnership between SUPERVALU Holdings, Inc.
        and Scott's Food Stores, Inc. each of which holds a 50% interest. Both
        general partners are direct subsidiaries of Supermarket Operators of
        America, Inc.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT (23)



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statements No. 
33-28310, No. 33-16934, No. 2-56896, No. 33-50071, No. 333-10151, and No. 
333-24813 on Form S-8 and No. 33-56415 on Form S-3 of our reports dated April 3,
1997, except for the Investment in ShopKo Note, as to which the date is April
25, 1997, appearing in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K of SUPERVALU INC. for the year ended February 22, 1997.



/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- ----------------------------
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 22, 1997

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT (24)
                                                                                
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------


       KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each of the undersigned
directors and officers of SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, which is about
to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549, its
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 22, 1997 under the
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, hereby
constitutes and appoints Michael W. Wright and Vernon H. Heath, his or her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, with full power to
act without the other, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead,
in any and all capacities (including without limitation, as Director and/or
principal Executive Officer, principal Financial Officer, principal Accounting
Officer or any other officer of the Company), to sign such Annual Report on Form
10-K which is about to be filed, and any and all amendments thereto, and to file
such Annual Report on Form 10-K and each such amendment thereto so signed, with
all exhibits thereto, and any and all other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do
and perform any and all acts and things requisite and necessary to be done in
and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might
do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact
and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof.

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Power of Attorney
on this 9th day of April, 1997.

<TABLE> 

<S>                                      <C> 
/s/  Herman Cain                         /s/ Charles M. Lillis
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Herman Cain                              Charles M. Lillis


/s/  Stephen I. D'Agostino               /s/  Harriet Perlmutter
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Stephen I. D'Agostino                    Harriet Perlmutter


/s/  Lawrence A. Del Santo               /s/  Carole F. St. Mark
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Lawrence A. Del Santo                    Carole F. St. Mark


/s/  Edwin C. Gage                       /s/  Winston R. Wallin
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Edwin C. Gage                            Winston R. Wallin


/s/  Vernon H. Heath                     /s/  Michael W. Wright
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Vernon H. Heath                          Michael W. Wright


/s/  William A. Hodder                   /s/  Jeffrey C. Girard
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
William A. Hodder                        Jeffrey C. Girard


/s/  Garnett L. Keith, Jr.               /s/ Kim M. Erickson
- ------------------------------------     ---------------------------------------
Garnett L. Keith, Jr.                    Kim M. Erickson


/s/  Richard L. Knowlton
- ------------------------------------     
Richard L. Knowlton

</TABLE> 

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
 
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINACIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
CONSOLIDATED BALACE SHEETS AS OF FEBRUARY 22, 1997 AND THE CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF EARNINGS FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 22, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATMENTS.
</LEGEND>
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          FEB-22-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               FEB-22-1997
<CASH>                                           6,539
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  421,641
<ALLOWANCES>                                  (17,806)
<INVENTORY>                                  1,091,805
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,600,799
<PP&E>                                       2,688,555
<DEPRECIATION>                             (1,040,031)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               4,283,326
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                        1,369,078
<BONDS>                                      1,420,591
                                0
                                      5,908
<COMMON>                                        75,335
<OTHER-SE>                                   1,226,180
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 4,283,326
<SALES>                                     16,551,902
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                            16,551,902
<CGS>                                       14,885,249
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               14,885,249
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 8,851
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             136,831
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                280,512
<INCOME-TAX>                                   105,468
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            175,044
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   175,044
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     2.60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     2.60
        

</TABLE>

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  EXHIBIT (99.1)


        Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the Safe Harbor Provisions
                    of the Securities Litigation Reform Act

In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("Act"), SUPERVALU INC. (the "Company") is filing
cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause the
Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-
looking statements made by, or on behalf of the Company.  When used in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 22, 1997 and in
future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in
the Company's press releases, other communications, and in oral statements made
by or with the approval of an authorized executive officer, the words or phrases
"will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is anticipated",
"estimate", "project", "believe" or similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act.  The following
cautionary statements are for use as a reference to a readily available written
document in connection with forward looking statements as defined in the Act.
These factors are in addition to any other cautionary statements, written or
oral, which may be made or referred to in connection with any such forward-
looking statement.

Wholesale Business Risks

The Company's sales and earnings at wholesale are dependent on the Company's
ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers, as well as its
ability to control costs.  While the Company believes that the ADVANTAGE
initiative, including its new Activity Based Sell ("ABS") pricing, new market
driving services, and regional logistics, will enable it to attain its goals,
certain factors could adversely impact the Company's results, including: decline
of its independent retailer customer base due to competition and other factors;
loss of corporate retail sales due to increased competition and other risks
detailed more fully below; consolidations of retailers or competitors; increased
self-distribution by chain retailers; increase in operating costs; the
possibility that the Company will incur additional costs and expenses due to
further rationalization or consolidation of distribution centers; entry of new
or non-traditional distribution systems into the industry; possible delays or
increased costs in implementing the ADVANTAGE initiative; manufacturers do not
change their pricing, transportation, and/or promotional programs in cooperation
with the Company's new pricing methods; and possible loss of retailer customers
who do not accept the ADVANTAGE changes.  In addition, timing of certain
ADVANTAGE efforts could be impacted by the information technology related
expenses associated with addressing year 2000 issues.

Risks of Expansion and Acquisitions

The Company intends to continue to grow its retail and wholesale segments in
part through acquisitions.  Expansion is subject to a number of risks, including
the adequacy of the Company's capital resources; the location of suitable store
or distribution center sites and the negotiation of acceptable lease terms;
ability to hire, train and integrate employees; and possible costs and other
risks of integrating or adapting operational systems.  In addition, 

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
acquisitions involve a number of special risks, including: making acquisitions
at acceptable rates of return; the diversion of management's attention to
assimilation of the operations and personnel of the acquired business; potential
adverse short-term effects on the Company's operating results; and amortization
of acquired intangible assets.

Retail Business Risks

The Company's retail segment faces risks which may prevent the Company from
maintaining or increasing retail sales and earnings including: competition from
other retail chains, supercenters, non-traditional competitors, and emerging
alternative formats; operating risks of certain strategically important retail
operations; and adverse impact from the entry of other retail chains,
supercenters and non-traditional or emerging competitors into markets where the
Company has a retail concentration.

Liquidity

Management expects that the Company will continue to replenish operating assets
and reduce aggregate debt with internally generated funds and capital leases
unless additional funds are necessary to complete acquisitions.  If capital
spending significantly exceeds anticipated capital needs, additional funding
could be required from other sources.  In addition, acquisitions could affect
the Company's borrowing costs and future financial flexibility.

Litigation

While the Company believes that it is currently not subject to any material
litigation, the costs and other effects of legal and administrative cases and
proceedings and settlements are impossible to predict with certainty.  The
current environment for litigation involving food wholesalers may increase the
risk of litigation being commenced against the Company.  The Company would incur
the costs of defending any such litigation whether or not any claim had merit.

The foregoing should not be construed as exhaustive and the Company disclaims
any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the
occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

                                       2


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