Largest Supermarket Deployment to Date of a Faster, Easier Way to Pay Purchases Under $25 will not Require Signatures

Purchase, NY and Elizabeth, NJ, March 01, 2007–MasterCard Worldwide and Wakefern Food Corporation, the merchandising and distribution arm of ShopRite supermarkets, announced today it has begun accepting MasterCard® PayPass™, an innovative contactless payment solution, at over 200 ShopRite locations in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware. This rollout constitutes the largest deployment of PayPass in the supermarket category to date.

All participating ShopRite locations are fully equipped and ready to accept MasterCard PayPass in-store. The implementation of this technology provides a new level of convenience to millions of ShopRite customers in two of the nation’s fastest paced cities.

“At ShopRite we strive to provide our consumers with a quick and convenient shopping experience. We understand our customers lead very busy lives, and believe the implementation of MasterCard PayPass will help us cater to their lifestyle,” said Karen Meleta, Director of Corporate Communications for Wakefern Food Corporation.

Consumers with a PayPass-enabled payment card or device no longer need to fumble for cash and coins or swipe a card for purchases. Users simply tap their PayPass-enabled card or device on the PayPass reader. Purchases under $25 will not require the customer to sign the receipt. In addition, ShopRite will continue to accept traditional magnetic-stripe payment cards.

“MasterCard, like ShopRite, understands the value of simplifying the purchasing experience for busy consumers,” said T.J. Sharkey, Group Head, National Accounts, U.S. Commerce Development, MasterCard Worldwide. “MasterCard PayPass is helping to revolutionize the supermarket industry by enhancing the level of customer service for the more than four million consumers who shop at ShopRite each week.”

About MasterCard PayPass

MasterCard PayPass is ideal for traditional cash-heavy environments where speed is essential, and has led the way in bringing contactless technology to consumer categories such as quick serve restaurants, drug stores, gas stations, vending machines, convenience stores, sports arenas, movie theaters, transit systems and parking garages. There are currently nearly 13 million PayPass cards and devices in the market, and PayPass is currently accepted globally at 46,000 merchant locations, including participating 7-Eleven, CVS, McDonald’s, Regal Entertainment Group theaters and many others. PayPass is also accepted at numerous football and baseball stadiums. For more information about MasterCard PayPass and a full list of participating merchants, visit http://www.mastercard.com/paypass.

About ShopRite

ShopRite supermarkets are members of Wakefern Food Corporation, a retailer-owned cooperative with stores located throughout New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Delaware. ShopRite serves more than 4 million customers each week. A long time supporter of key community efforts, ShopRite was named the New Jersey Corporate Philanthropist of the Year, by the Community Foundation of New Jersey. America’s Second Harvest Food Bank Network recognized ShopRite as the Grocery Distributor of the year for its ShopRite Partners In Caring program, a year-round initiative dedicated to fighting hunger in the communities served by ShopRite. Since its inception, ShopRite Partners In Caring has donated more than $11 million to over 1,000 worthy charities.

About MasterCard Worldwide

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 14 billion payments each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard Worldwide serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercardworldwide.com.