Kroger Celebrates International Cuisines with Taste of Italy

CINCINNATI, Sept. 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Inspired by the culinary traditions and regional recipes of Italy, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) family of stores is making it possible for customers to experience locally-sourced ingredients and authentic fare, during a two-week event, Savor World Flavor: Taste of Italy.

Starting September 14, customers can "eat like an Italian" as Kroger stores nationwide make it easy to explore savory antipasti offerings, flavorful sauces and pastas, classic desserts, famous cheeses and spirited wines. In creating the inspired offering, a team of Kroger food adventurers traveled to the Mediterranean country to discover some of Italy's finest offerings–which are now available in Kroger stores nationwide.

During the food-centric event, customers can enjoy delicious foods sourced directly from food and wine producers throughout Italy such as dry-cured prosciutto and salami, aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and varieties of olives. They'll also find fresh pasta, 100 percent Sicilian extra virgin olive oil, the perfect tomato sauces, tiramisu, and wines for every occasion, including Prosecco, Chianti from the best Tuscan regions and Pinot Grigio from the Trentino-Alto Adige region.

Taste of Italy will feature samples, recipe ideas, new food products, buy-one-get-one-free offers and events that bring a taste of Italian culture to Kroger stores across the country. Select stores will host educational "Crack the Parm" events, where a cheese specialist will demonstrate how to crack a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese wheel weighing nearly 80 pounds.

"Savor World Flavor is about discovery and sourcing delicious foods from around the world, and bringing the products, inspiration and experience into our stores. We are bringing flavors of the world to our customers' dinner tables, putting authentic Italian fare easily within reach," said Mike Donnelly, Kroger's executive vice president of merchandising. "The popularity of last year's Taste of Italy event demonstrated to us that another visit to the flavor-rich country in search of new items and recipes would be enthusiastically received by our customers. We're excited to expand our commitment to being a destination for creative meal ideas and international fare."

Kroger continues to expand its internationally-inspired product offerings under its exclusive brand HemisFares™, which debuted with the company's first Taste of Italy event last fall. In September, HemisFares™ will introduce Italian favorites including antipasti jars, flavored oils, gelato, and new pastas and pasta sauces. 

Kroger will host a national Twitter party at 3 p.m. EDT on Saturday, September 17, for customers to learn more about Italian cuisine and culture. To participate, follow @kroger on Twitter.

This is Kroger's fourth Savor World Flavor event, which has included Taste of México in 2014, Taste of Italy in 2015 and Taste of Spain earlier this year. For more details, including recipes and an easy-to-use, authentic meal planning experience, "How to Eat Like an Italian", please visit www.italianworldflavor.com.

Every day, the Kroger Family of Companies makes a difference in the lives of eight and a half million customers and 431,000 associates who shop or serve in 2,778 retail food stores under a variety of local banner names in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Kroger and its subsidiaries operate an expanding ClickList offering – a personalized, order online, pick up at the store service – in addition to our 2,231 pharmacies, 784 convenience stores, 323 fine jewelry stores, 1,387 supermarket fuel centers and 38 food production plants in the United States. Kroger is recognized as one of America's most generous companies for its support of more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners, breast cancer research and awareness, the military and their families, and more than 145,000 community organizations including schools. A leader in supplier diversity, Kroger is a proud member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable.

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SOURCE The Kroger Co.