KROGER AND NEWMAN'S OWN TEAM UP TO SUPPORT AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST

CINCINNATI, OH, May 21, 2003 - The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that it is teaming up with Newman's Own to support America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization.

A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every Newman's Own product to Kroger from June 8-21, 2003, will be donated by Newman's Own to Second Harvest in support of National Hunger Awareness Day June 5. During those two weeks, Kroger will be heavily promoting certain Newman's Own products in its stores and through advertising. Newman's Own products available in Kroger-owned stores include pasta sauces, salad dressing, steak sauce, popcorn, lemonade and salsa.

"Kroger is proud to partner with Newman's Own in helping America's Second Harvest feed the hungry," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger group vice president of corporate affairs.

"At a time when the weak economy has led to increased demand at most of our affiliated food banks and food-rescue organizations, we are grateful to Kroger and Newman's Own for their continued support in feeding the hungry, " said Robert Forney, president and CEO of America's Second Harvest. "Their financial assistance is particularly important as schools prepare to let out for the summer and our agencies brace for even greater demand."

Kroger's retail divisions work with more than 40 regional food banks around the country that are affiliated with Second Harvest. The Company consistently ranks as one of the largest retail contributors of food and grocery products to the non-profit organization. Last year Kroger donated 20 million pounds of food to America's Second Harvest. The donation, which was valued at $35 million, ranked among the largest in Kroger's history. The Company twice has been named "National Retailer of the Year" by America's Second Harvest in the past three years.

About Newman's Own

Paul Newman donates all after-tax profits from the sale of Newman's Own products for educational and charitable purposes. Since founding the company in 1982, he has donated more than $125 million to thousands of charities in the U.S. and foreign countries where the products are sold.

About America's Second Harvest

America's Second Harvest feeds hungry Americans through 50,000 community-based agencies served by more than 200 affiliated food banks and food rescue operations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

About The Kroger Co.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of fiscal 2002, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,488 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under approximately two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 784 convenience stores, 441 fine jewelry stores, 376 supermarket fuel centers and 41 food processing plants. In 2002, Kroger donated $106 million to local schools, hunger relief agencies and other community organizations. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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