Make a Date With Your Family for Dinner: Kroger Supports Family Day

Columbia University Research Shows Children Who Routinely Dine with their Families Are Less Likely to Smoke, Drink or Use Drugs

CINCINNATI, OH, September 20, 2006 - Good food, great conversations and laughter - gathering around the family dinner table is about more than just sharing a meal. The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) encourages families to join a national initiative by taking time to eat dinner together on Monday, September 25.

“Compelling research indicates that children who dine regularly with their families stand a better chance of avoiding risky behaviors. Conversations around the dinner table help parents better understand challenges their children face at specific points in their development,” said David B. Dillon, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. “This initiative resonates with us here at Kroger because building strong, healthy families is at the core of our business.”

CASA's latest report, The Importance of Family Dinners III, found that teens who dine five to seven nights a week with their families are at half the risk for substance abuse compared with teens who dine infrequently with their families. CASA research also found that teens who eat regularly with their families are more successful in school, have lower stress and are more likely to confide in their parents.

“Parent power is the most potent and underutilized tool to prevent children from using substances or engaging in risky behavior,” said Joseph Califano, chairman and president of and the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. “We appreciate Kroger's support for this important initiative and thank them for encouraging customers to celebrate Family Day every day.“

For more information about Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children and the research behind it, please visit: www.CASAColumbia.org.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,477 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banners including Kroger and Kroger Marketplace, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smith's and Smith's Marketplace, Fry's and Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 773 convenience stores, 418 fine jewelry stores, 608 supermarket fuel centers and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit our web site at www.kroger.com.

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