Kroger to Offer Local Strawberries

CINCINNATI — In response to booming consumer interest in local foods, Kroger Co. announced a new partnership with North Carolina supplier Jackson Farming Co. to offer local strawberries in the retailer’s Raleigh-Durham stores.

“With a continued commitment to support local farms and North Carolina agriculture as a whole, we are pleased to announce our partnership with Jackson Farming Co. and the opportunity this will allow us to provide Kroger customers with fresh and localized produce that comes directly from our backyard,” said Carl York, advertising and public relations manager for Kroger’s mid-Atlantic marketing region, in a release.

Kroger expects to sell local melons sourced from the Autryville, N.C., supplier starting in July and may offer additional varieties of produce in the future.