The Kroger Co. has been named “Grocery Distributor of the Year” by America’s Second Harvest, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization.

Kroger and its retail divisions were honored for their “outstanding support” of the organization and its affiliate member food banks across the country. Among the criteria used by the selection committee were product donations, technical assistance, funding, food drives and volunteer efforts.

Kroger’s retail divisions work with more than 40 regional food banks around the country that are affiliated with Second Harvest. In 1999, the Company’s divisions, in conjunction with suppliers, donated more than 16 million pounds of food and products worth nearly $25 million to America’s Second Harvest. Kroger ranks as the largest retail contributor of food and grocery products to the non-profit organization.

“Kroger is proud to support America’s Second Harvest in providing emergency food assistance to millions of Americans each year,” said Joseph A. Pichler, Kroger chairman and chief executive officer. “Our retail divisions and associates place a high priority on feeding the hungry through community outreach programs, fund raising and volunteer efforts. Working together with America’s Second Harvest affiliates, they are making a difference in their communities and working to ensure that donations made by our customers and our stores reach needy families.”

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is the nation’s largest retail grocery chain. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2000, the Company operated 2,319 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under more than a dozen banners, including Kroger, Fred Meyer, Ralphs, Smith’s, King Soopers, Dillon, Fry’s, City Market, Food 4 Less and Quality Food Centers. Kroger also operates 792 convenience stores, 397 fine jewelry stores and 42 food processing plants.

Kroger Co.

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