Exhibit 99.3




                                  NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

COURT APPROVES BID BY SUBURBAN PROPANE, L.P. TO ACQUIRE ASSETS OF AGWAY ENERGY

Acquisition Will Create One of the Largest Full-Service Energy Providers in U.S.

WHIPPANY, N.J., December 18, 2003 - Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. (NYSE:SPH),
a marketer of propane gas and related products and services nationwide, today
announced that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of
New York has approved the bid of its operating partnership, Suburban Propane,
L.P. to acquire substantially all of the assets of Agway Energy Products, LLC,
Agway Energy Services, Inc., and Agway Energy Services PA, Inc. (collectively
"Agway Energy"). The Partnership expects to close this transaction prior to the
end of this year. The purchase price of $206 million is subject to adjustments.

In making this announcement, President and Chief Executive Officer Mark A.
Alexander said, "Agway Energy's business model and operating area make it a very
attractive acquisition for a number of reasons, all of which are supportive of
and complement our long-term growth strategy. This acquisition will transform
Suburban from a distributor of a single fuel with 750,000 customers into a
complete energy marketer with the ability to provide energy products and
services to well over 1,000,000 customers. Agway Energy's propane business
significantly increases Suburban's position in the industry and its footprint in
the Northeast, one of Suburban's prime marketing areas. Agway Energy's heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business and many locations throughout
the Northeast provide an immediate growth vehicle for Suburban's service and
retail businesses. The heating oil business represents an entirely new product
for Suburban, one which complements its other businesses."

Mr. Alexander added, "We've been extremely impressed with the caliber of
employees at Agway Energy, and we're glad to be welcoming them into the Suburban
family. We're very excited about our future together as we transition into one
of the largest full-service energy providers in the United States."

Dennis W. Trautman, Agway Energy's Chief Operating Officer, will become
Suburban's Managing Director of Northeast Operations. Agway's four General
Managers will continue in their current roles with Suburban.

Mr. Trautman said, "The history and culture of these two organizations will
enable us to provide superior customer service through a talented group of
employees. We're excited to introduce all of Agway Energy's products and
services to Suburban customers. With Suburban's financial strength,





Agway Energy will be well positioned to continue thriving and supporting the
many customers and communities that have come to depend on us for their energy
needs."

Agway Energy, headquartered in Syracuse, New York, provides heating oil,
propane, natural gas and electricity and related products and services to more
than 400,000 residential, commercial and agricultural customers throughout New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Vermont. Agway Energy is the second largest
heating oil retailer in the United States and among the top ten propane
marketers.

Suburban Propane Partners, L.P. is a publicly traded Master Limited Partnership
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Headquartered in Whippany, New Jersey,
Suburban has been in the customer service business since 1928. The Partnership
serves approximately 750,000 residential, commercial, industrial and
agricultural customers through 320 customer service centers in 40 states.
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Company contact:       Robert M. Plante
                       Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
                       (973) 503-9252