CINCINNATI, OH - Shortly following its recent play to boost local businesses with the launch of its Small Business Resource Guide, Kroger is showing no signs of slowing down efforts to expand and diversify its supplier network. The retailer recently announced the new Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator, a partnership that invites American growers and producers to apply to join forces with Kroger.

“Kroger is committed to offering the best assortment of fresh products enabled by an innovative portfolio of suppliers,” said Chief Merchant and Marketing Officer Stuart Aitken. “In 2020 alone, we invested $4.1 billion in diverse suppliers—a 21 percent increase versus the previous year—and we’re working with intention to scale that number to $10 billion by 2030. The Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator will help us achieve our goal as well as advance our freshness commitment in our nearly 2,800 stores and across our Kroger.com e-commerce services, including Pickup, Delivery, and Ship.”

The new program is sponsored by Gourmet Foods International and will allow Kroger to discover new suppliers to continue its commitment to being Fresh for Everyone™, as noted in a press release. This includes the continued expansion of the company’s fresh produce departments.

“At Kroger, our Fresh for Everyone mission is anchored in consistently and creatively providing fresh and affordable food to our customers,” said Dan De La Rosa, Group Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. “We’re dedicated to fostering innovation and investing in local, regional, and small businesses that make the best of food accessible to all. Our first Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator is an extension of our commitment, and we’re eager to invite suppliers of every size to participate, providing the potential to grow our businesses together.”

Now through May 31, suppliers can apply to join the Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator taking place in Cincinnati, Ohio, this August. Kroger’s category management and fresh director team will review the applications in multiple rounds and select 15 finalists—one finalist per region per category—to attend.

During the event, finalists will present to a panel of judges, and the five overall winners will win a prize package including product placement on shelf within Kroger’s Family of Companies; recommended partnerships with Gourmet Foods International; and business development coaching from Kroger merchandising and sales leaders, as well as PearlRock Partners CEO Brian Kelley.

For more information about applying for the Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator in your region, click here.

AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the latest and greatest retail strategies in the world of fresh produce, so keep a tab open.

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