Ralphs Encourages Shoppers to 'Pour it Forward' by Donating Nutrient-rich Milk to Food Banks during Feeding America's Hunger Action Month™

This September, Ralphs Grocery Company Will Make it Easy for Shoppers to Give Hope by the Gallon to Families In Need In Their Communities

California Dairy Families to Match Donations at Ralphs Stores Up to $50,000

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Ralphs Grocery Company

Sep 04, 2015, 06:08 ET

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 4, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- September is Hunger Action Month^TM, a nationwide campaign from Feeding America® – the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the country. In honor of Hunger Action Month, Ralphs Grocery Company is partnering with Feeding America, milk companies and more than 1,400 California dairy families to encourage its shoppers to 'Pour It Forward' by donating nutrient-rich milk to families in need in their local communities.

Through the end of September, Ralphs customers can help provide nutrient-rich milk to families in need by donating $1, $3 or $5 at check-out as part of its "Pour It Forward" campaign benefiting Southern California Feeding America food banks.

Milk isn't just a drink—it's a nutrient powerhouse providing nine essential nutrients including eight grams of high-quality protein per serving. But it is missing at food banks in communities across the country because it is rarely donated. In fact, milk is one of the items most requested by Feeding America food bank clients each year.

On average, food banks are only able to provide the equivalent of less than one gallon of milk per person, per year. But this September, Ralphs customers have the ability to help change that in their communities by donating $1, $3 or $5 at check-out. Every donation will help deliver milk to a local family facing hunger. All donations collected go directly to Feeding America food banks that service the local community where the donation was made.

"Milk is the number one food item requested by our Southern California food banks," said Kendra Doyel, vice president of corporate affairs for Ralphs Grocery Company. "Through the 'Pour it Forward' program we are giving our customers, associates and company and easy way to support local food banks by offering them access to an important food – fresh and wholesome milk."

To help ensure Feeding America food banks serving Southern California are able to provide nutritious milk to people in need, the California Milk Advisory Board and the dairy farm families it represents are joining Ralphs in the "Pour it Forward" program by pledging a dollar-for-dollar match for each donation sold – up to $50,000.

"California dairy farmers are dedicated to providing a wholesome, nutritious product for families everywhere and to making this nutritious food available to all families, regardless of circumstances," said John Talbot, CEO of California Milk Advisory Board. "The Pour it Forward program offers a tremendous opportunity for Ralphs customers to join us in supporting people in need and ensuring this support stays in California communities."

What You Can Do Today

Now through the end of September, Ralphs is inviting customers to 'Pour It Forward' by donating $1, $3 or $5 at check-out to help local families get the nutrient-rich milk they're missing out on. Customers should check with their local stores for details. Donations are also collected at BringingHopeToTheTable.com/PourItForward. By entering your zip code, you can ensure that the milk is delivered to a local Feeding America food bank in your very own community.

About Ralphs Grocery Company

Ralphs Grocery Company was founded in 1873 and currently operates 209 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. Last year, Ralphs contributed more than $6 million to support education, hunger relief, women's health and local nonprofit organizations in the communities served by the company's stores. Ralphs is a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., (NYSE:KR), one of the nation's largest food retailers, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. For more about Ralphs, please visit our web site at www.ralphs.com.

About the California Milk Advisory Board

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state's more than 1,400 dairy families. With headquarters in South San Francisco and Modesto, the CMAB is one of the largest agricultural marketing boards in the United States. The CMAB executes advertising, public relations, research and retail and foodservice promotional programs on behalf of California dairy products, including Real California Milk and Real California Cheese. For more information and to connect with the CMAB through social media, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, like at Facebook.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, view videos at YouTube.com/RealCaliforniaMilk, follow at Twitter.com/RealCalifMilk and Instagram.com/RealCalifMilk and pin at Pinterest.com/RealCalifMilk.

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SOURCE Ralphs Grocery Company