RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 3, 2015 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 14 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina, has announced that it will sponsor Duke Heart Center’s Pretty Party in Red for the fifth straight year. Taking place from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, at the Searle Center at Duke University Medical Center, located at 10 Searle Drive in Durham, the event is designed to raise awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 health threat to women in the United States. The Pretty Party in Red gives women an opportunity to kick off their heels, lace up their sneakers for a health fair with screenings, nutrition education, Zumba®, massages, makeovers, trivia and door prizes.

Kroger will once again delight attendees by preparing nutritious food options for the heart-healthy meal, which includes a dinner salad and dark chocolate and wine pairing. In addition, the Kroger pharmacy staff will be providing nutrition labeling education, glucose screenings, vaccine information and medication education during the event. Under Kroger’s direction, UNC student pharmacists that will provide blood pressure screenings, and offer Kroger gift cards for attendees to use in building their own heart healthy meals.

The cost of attendance is $15. To register for the Pretty Party in Red, visit http://dukemedicine.org/events.

QUOTES:

“Many of us know that heart disease is the biggest health risk for women in the United States, yet too few of us are taking steps to protect our heart,” said Ouita Davis, Kroger pharmacist. “Sponsoring Duke Heart Center’s Pretty Party in Red gives us the opportunity to show our heart for the community by helping solve one of our nation’s major health issues. We are proud to be involved for a fifth straight year, and look forward to seeing how this event changes the lives of those in our community for the better.”

ABOUT KROGER:

Kroger, the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer, has 14 stores throughout the Triangle, including Apex (one), Cary (one), Garner (one), Fuquay-Varina (one), Raleigh (four) and Durham (six). Headquartered in Cincinnati, the company employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,439 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s. The company also operates 788 convenience stores, 361 fine jewelry stores, 1,046 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food-processing plants in the United States. Kroger focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information, please visit http://kroger.com.

(end)