KROGER LEADS EFFORT TO FEED THE HUNGRY BY EXPANDING PARTNERSHIP WITH AMERICA'S SECOND HARVEST
"Grocery Alliance" Program Strengthens Link Between Stores and Local Food Banks

CINCINNATI, OH, September 4, 2001 -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced an expanded partnership with America's Second Harvest to support local and national hunger relief programs that feed more than 26 million people each year.

Under the "Grocery Alliance" program, Kroger's retail divisions will work more closely with America's Second Harvest food banks and food-rescue organizations in their local communities to: generate greater awareness of hunger relief programs; share best practices in raising food donations; and seek creative and expanded donation opportunities through a variety of activities.

"Kroger is proud to join America's Second Harvest, the nation's largest domestic hunger relief organization, in stepping up the fight to end hunger," said Lynn Marmer, Kroger group vice president of corporate affairs. "Kroger has a long history of supporting America's Second Harvest through a broad range of community outreach programs, fund raising and volunteerism by our associates. We believe the Grocery Alliance project will enhance those efforts and encourage others to support local hunger relief programs."

Kroger is the nation's largest retail donor to America's Second Harvest, donating more than 19 million pounds of products in 2000. The value of these donations was $32 million. Last year, Kroger was named "Grocery Distributor of the Year" by America's Second Harvest. Seventeen Kroger retail divisions work with more than 40 regional food banks around the country that are affiliated with America's Second Harvest.

"Once again, Kroger has stepped up to the plate, helping America's Second Harvest and our affiliates fight hunger. We are excited about Kroger's commitment to the Grocery Alliance partnership. Grocery Alliance will provide the framework for sharing new ideas and overcoming the challenges in the fight against hunger," said Robert Forney, president and CEO, America's Second Harvest.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger (www.kroger.com) is the nation's largest retail grocery chain. At the end of the first quarter, the Company operated 2,380 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, Dillon, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operates 788 convenience stores, 407 fine jewelry stores and 41 food processing plants.

America's Second Harvest (www.secondharvest.org) is the nation's largest domestic hunger-relief organization with a national network of more than 200 regional food banks and food-rescue programs, serving all 50 states and Puerto Rico, which distributes approximately 1.3 billion pounds of donated food and grocery products annually. The America's Second Harvest network supports approximately 50,000 local charitable agencies, operating more than 94,000 food programs, including food pantries, soup kitchens, women's shelters, Kids Cafes, Community Kitchens, and their local organizations that provide food assistance to more than 26 million hungry Americans, including eight million children and four million seniors each year.

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