RALEIGH, N.C., Dec. 29, 2015 – The Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), the nation’s largest traditional grocery retailer with 14 stores throughout the Triangle and North Carolina, is meeting increased consumer demand for local products in a big way.

In natural foods, produce, meats, the deli-bakery, grocery and floral shops, Kroger’s Triangle area stores are expanding their supply of locally made products.

“The customer demand for local products is growing,” said Susan Terry, natural foods sales manager for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division. “We are listening to our customers, and they are telling us that they want to buy local.

“It’s a win-win situation,” she added. “When we carry local products, it’s good for the farmers, producers, the community, and, of course, Kroger.” The concept, she says, is like a community-focused market.

“At Kroger, we want to be recognized for supporting locally made products,” Terry continued. “We know customers have pride in buying them because they want local farmers and producers to be successful.”

Beginning in January, Kroger stores in the Triangle will carry Nello’s Sauce, a line of premium tomato sauces that are made in Raleigh. Nello’s is the latest addition to the many North Carolina food products available at Kroger, including Cape Fear Salsa, Miss Jenny’s Pickles, Bakers’ Peanuts, Pluto’s All-Natural Jamaican Jerk Sauce, Carolina Treet Barbecue Sauce, Adams Rib Rubb, Old Mule Sauce, Baldwin Charolais Beef, and a large selection of NC wines, among other items.

In the popular area of natural foods, Kroger works with growers so their products not only are of the highest quality, but also so their prices are competitive, Terry said.

Kroger recently hired a produce specialist, Duane Myers, who travels the southeast working with producers to help them meet the needs of the stores. Myers meets with farmers and producers on site to help them prepare their products for Kroger.

“We need to inform and assist producers with more regulations, packing, and labeling standards,” said David Villanueva, produce and floral sales manager for the Mid-Atlantic Division. “Our goal is to help them succeed in what is a different environment for many of them.”

Producers often come to the Mid-Atlantic office in Roanoke, Virginia to discuss their products, Terry says. “We are delighted to meet with them,” she says. “We discuss their ability to produce enough items for stores and distribution issues.” The Mid-Atlantic Division operates 120 stores in six states.

“After the product is ready, then we test it in their local market,” added Terry. “If there is demand, we add the product in additional stores, based on shelf space.”

Kroger has been stocking more local products than customers realized. “We are tagging local items in our stores and will be introducing new signage in stores to make it easier for our customers to identify locally made items,” Terry said.

About Kroger

Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs nearly 400,000 associates who serve customers in 2,626 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 780 convenience stores, 327 fine jewelry stores, 1,342 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.

(end)