CINCINNATI, OH - Spice is back in the aisles this season through the return of Hatch Chile peppers. Kroger shared that seasonal customer favorites, fresh Hatch Chiles, are now available for a limited time at Kroger Family of Stores nationwide.

“We’re going to farming communities like Hatch, New Mexico, to bring customers the freshest, most unique produce across the U.S. and support local growers,” said Dan De La Rosa, Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. “We are incredibly proud to offer customers products that are at their peak freshness, sourced directly from the fields of farmers who enable us to feed families across America.”

Grown on local farms in the Hatch Valley of southwestern New Mexico's Rio Grande region, Hatch Chiles are picked, packed, and shipped in a single day, hitting shelves in as little as 24 hours after harvest.

The soil, weather, and altitude of Hatch, New Mexico, contribute to bountiful crops producing thousands of acres of delectable chiles. To qualify as an authentic Hatch Chile, the vegetable must be grown in the Hatch Valley and labeled a New Mexico Certified Chile. The chiles are available under the retailer’s Private Selection™ line.

“The relationship we have with Kroger is very special for us,” said Chris Franzoy, fourth-generation Hatch Chile farmer and President of Young Guns Produce. “This is something we depend on as a company, as a family, and as a community because it creates so many jobs, and that is extremely important, especially in a small town like Hatch, New Mexico.”

To celebrate the Hatch Chile season, Kroger is hosting more than 4,000 live store roasting events, providing roasting tips, and offering delectable products highlighting the chiles to try. Fresh Hatch Chiles and Hatch Chile products can be purchased shopping in-store or online.

Bring on the heat in stores, and keep an eye out for more ANUK updates.

Kroger