KROGER NAMED “RETAILER OF THE YEAR” BY THE NATION’S LARGEST HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATION

CINCINNATI, Ohio, October 19, 2007 – In recognition of its continuing leadership to help feed hungry people in our communities, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) has again been honored as “Retailer of the Year” by America’s Second Harvest, the largest hunger relief organization in the United States.

Kroger was honored for donating more than 30 million pounds of food and other needed products last year. In addition, the Company’s “Bringing Hope to the Table” campaign, a nationwide promotion that encourages customers to purchase items from participating suppliers to support local food banks, raised more than $6 million in the last two years.

“We cannot express enough how grateful we are for the endless support Kroger provides year after year,” said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of America’s Second Harvest. “Kroger has truly been instrumental in the fight to end hunger in America.”

This marks the fifth time in seven years Kroger has won this honor. Recipients are selected by food banks who are members of America’s Second Harvest.

“We are honored to work with America’s Second Harvest in their efforts to end hunger in America,” said Lynn Marmer, Kroger’s Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs and a member of the board of directors of America’s Second Harvest. “Our store, plant and distribution center managers, together with our associates throughout the Company, are dedicated to this important effort and work closely with local food banks to help feed hungry people in the communities Kroger serves.”

Kroger has helped lead the fight against hunger in the U.S. for more than 25 years. Kroger’s family of stores and its manufacturing facilities work with 85 food banks across the country to help fight hunger in the communities where Kroger’s customers and associates live and work. In addition to food and monetary donations, Kroger’s hunger relief efforts include volunteerism, fundraising, and board leadership with local food banks.

The Company recently announced plans to expand its fresh food rescue program. This company-wide project, called the Perishable Donations Partnership, will increase the number of stores in the Kroger family that donate safe, perishable food. Kroger works with America’s Second Harvest food banks that have the capacity to safely handle and distribute fresh food. This initiative not only increases the amount of fresh food Kroger donates, it will help improve the diets of individuals and families who depend on hunger relief programs by giving food banks access to a variety of nutritious meats, fruits and vegetables.

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation’s largest retail grocery chains. In 2006, the Company donated $150 million to help hunger relief efforts across the country, raise awareness of breast cancer, and support local schools and organizations in the communities it serves. At the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2007, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,491 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 and Dillons Marketplace, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly or through subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 780 convenience stores, 406 fine jewelry stores, 664 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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