RALEIGH, N.C., Sept. 29, 2015 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 14 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina is bringing the delectable flavors of Italy to its customers during a two-week event called Savor World Flavor: Taste of Italy.

The event, which kicks off September 30, will bring the robust flavors of Italian staples such as freshly prepared prosciutto with melon, gourmet chicken parmesan and rich tiramisu dip to local Kroger stores throughout the Triangle. Taste of Italy will also include a “Crack the Parm” event at select Kroger Specialty Cheese Shops across the country. On October 3 at 3 p.m., a cheese specialist will demonstrate the art of cracking a 78-pound wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. A tasting of the nutty, savory cheese will follow the cracking event.

During Taste of Italy, Kroger will also debut a new corporate brand, HemisFares™. The line will offer Kroger shoppers 27 authentic products sourced straight from their regional origins. Items such as Creamy Sicilian Gelato, Bolognese Old-World pasta sauce and Four Leaf Balsamic Vinegar are imported directly from various food-rich regions of the world.

Customers are invited to enjoy the complete Taste of Italy experience, beginning September 30, and are encouraged to check with their local stores or at

www.ItalianWorldFlavor.com for dates and times and a chance to win a trip to Italy.

QUOTES:

“Kroger’s Savor World Flavor events are about bringing families together to explore different cultures of the world through food,” said Anne Jenkins, spokesperson for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic Division. “After last year’s very successful Taste of Mexico, I’m excited for Kroger shoppers in the Triangle to experience the food, recipes and authenticity of Taste of Italy at their local Kroger store.”

ABOUT KROGER:

Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has 14 stores throughout the Triangle, including Apex (1), Cary (1), Garner (1), Fuquay-Varina (1), Raleigh (4) and Durham (6). Headquartered in Cincinnati, the company employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,625 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 782 convenience stores, 326 fine jewelry stores, 1,330 supermarket fuel centers and 37 food processing plants in the U.S. Recognized by Forbes as the most generous company in America, Kroger supports hunger relief, breast cancer awareness, the military and their families, and more than 30,000 schools and community organizations. Kroger contributes food and funds equal to 200 million meals a year through more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber's Million Dollar Club. For more information, please visit http://www.kroger.com.

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