Kroger has announced the second year of its Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator program, a path for local businesses to get onto the retailer's shelves. Kroger is using this project to expand its fresh departments: produce, deli, bakery, meat, seafood, dairy, cheeses, and floral.
Through May 23, suppliers can apply for the Accelerator, a two-day event in Cincinnati to be held in August.
"Kroger is fully committed to supporting a diverse group of innovative, local suppliers who can bring a great assortment of fresh products to our customers," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger's chief merchant and marketing officer, in a statement. "Kroger committed to investing $10 billion in diverse suppliers by 2030, and the Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator is a successful way to catapult Kroger closer to that goal. We are excited to meet this year's suppliers who will help us advance our commitment to fresh in our nearly 2,800 stores."
Local growers and makers are encouraged to apply. Participant categories range from community-inspired items to products merchandised in about 100 stores or more.
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