Local Food Access and Community Groups Caution: Kroger’s Acquisition of Albertsons Threatens Food Security for Washington Families

SEATTLE, WA [10/17/24] – In response to the pending trial challenging the proposed $25 billion Kroger acquisition of Albertsons, a coalition of groups today filed an amicus brief with the State of Washington, King County Superior Court to protect food access and food security across the state.

Coalition representatives from Northwest Harvest, United Way of King County (UWKC), and Washington State Community Action Partnership (WSCAP) emphasize the urgency of addressing food justice in light of the proposed acquisition.

Thomas Reynolds, CEO of Northwest Harvest, stated: “At a time when inflation is severely impacting household budgets, crucial government assistance programs are ending, and grocery chains are reporting record profits, this acquisition threatens to exacerbate issues of access in many communities and to drive up food prices across Washington. We cannot remain silent when the food security of our most vulnerable neighbors is at stake.”

The coalition is flagging several critical concerns:

1. Threat to Equitable Food Access: The planned divestiture of 124 Washington stores could jeopardize access to nutritious food, especially in rural and low-income urban areas already struggling with limited food options.

2. Disproportionate Impact on Marginalized Communities: Reduced competition could lead to higher prices, worsening food insecurity among communities already experiencing hunger at disproportionately higher rates, including people of color, women, veterans, immigrants, LGBTQIA+ communities, and rural residents.

3. Economic Instability: Potential job losses from store closures and consolidations could further destabilize vulnerable communities, impacting their ability to afford nutritious food.

4. Strain on Food Assistance Networks: Any reduction in community support from these major grocery chains could overwhelm an already stretched emergency food system.

“In King County, families and individuals are still grappling with high grocery prices from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Gordon McHenry, Jr., president and CEO, UWKC. “Along with rising utility bills and some of the most expensive rents in the nation, too many of our residents are left to choose whether to prioritize one payment over another. We must create more healthy, nutritious food options, not eliminate them. The proposed acquisition will only raise prices and create greater barriers to accessible, affordable, nutritious food.”

Jeff DeLuca, Executive Director, WSCAP, added “We believe access to healthy and nutritious food is a human right. Many communities could lose access to fresh and nutritious grocery options if this acquisition proceeds. We are joining our partners in opposing the acquisition because we cannot afford to lose any ground in the fight to end hunger in Washington.”

The coalition is urging the Court to carefully consider the acquisition’s harmful impact on food security and equity. “This isn’t just about business decisions,” Reynolds concluded. “It’s about dismantling the structural barriers that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We join with the State of Washington in objecting to this acquisition because we believe in creating a more equitable food system in which all Washingtonians have access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.”

About the Coalition: This effort is supported by a diverse group of organizations committed to community well-being and food security in Washington state, including:

• Northwest Harvest: Northwest Harvest is a food justice organization striving to end hunger in Washington state. Part of a justice-centered movement, we advocate to change inequitable policies, practices, and institutions that perpetuate hunger and poverty. We partner with a network of over 350 organizations to operate an emergency food supply chain. Together, we ensure communities across our state can access the nutritious food they want and need to thrive. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Natasha Dworkin, Director of Communications, 206.715.1696, natashad@northwestharvest.org
• United Way of King County: At United Way of King County, we are working side by side with communities to build an equitable future for everyone. Racial equity guides our work as we strive to ensure that everyone has access to resources, a quality education, enough to eat and a safe place to call home. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Joe Burris, Associate Director of Public Relations, 206.849.5269, jburris@uwkc.org
• Washington State Community Action Partnership: Washington State Community Action Partnership is a statewide organization that works in partnership with our state’s 30 Community Action Agencies and others to address the causes and conditions of poverty and build just, equitable, and sustainable communities in Washington. For more information or to request an interview, please contact: Jeff DeLuca, Executive Director, 360.464.4290, jeff@wapartnership.org

Note to Editors:

• For additional background on food insecurity in Washington state, please visit: https://www.northwestharvest.org/wa-hunger-statistics/

• For counterpoints to Kroger’s rationale for the acquisition, visit:
  • Merging Grocery Giants Threatens Americans’ Food Security 
  • Review of Horizontal Mergers in the Grocery Industry
  • Kroger Acquisition Has Not Demonstrated Advantages for Consumers 

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Northwest Harvest is an anti-racist, anti-oppression organization committed to transforming an unjust food system into one that is more responsive and accountable to the communities most impacted by discrimination. In addition to distributing food to over 400 partners throughout Washington State, Northwest Harvest aims to shift public opinion, as well as impact institutional policies and societal practices that perpetuate hunger, poverty, and disparities in our state.