Kroger's Central Division President Bob Moeder said, "As the grocery chain with the longest history in Indiana, it is fitting that Kroger partner with the Indiana Historical Society to support an exciting, educational exhibit on Hoosier history. Education is a national priority for Kroger and we are extremely pleased to be working with the country's leading state historical society on this project. Hunger relief also is a national priority for Kroger. We were extremely pleased with IHS' idea to donate all canned and non-perishable food containers used in the exhibit to Gleaners Food Bank at the end of its showing. Kroger provided more than 1,700 food items for that purpose. As we celebrate our own 125th anniversary, we are mindful of the important legacy Barney Kroger has left for Kroger associates and customers. I believe he would be extremely proud of this initiative", Moeder added.

The legacy that Bernard "Barney" Kroger founded was a store formerly known as The Great Western Tea Company in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1883 with $122 in cash, just 10 years after he began his first full time job at age 13. He was the fifth of ten children in a family of German immigrants who lived above a dry goods store owned by his parents. Kroger was forced to leave school and work at a young age to help support his family.

That first store was located along the Cincinnati riverfront at 66 E. Pearl Street. In 1885, he operated four stores and later incorporated with 40 stores. He eventually changed the business name to The Kroger Grocery and Bakery Company in 1902.

Kroger pioneered several merchandising concepts utilized by groceries today, which included a low-cost grocery chain model. He was not only the first grocer to operate his own bakery in 1901 with loaves selling for 2 ½ cents, but he also combined butcher shops and groceries under one roof. He implemented a delivery fleet of 75 Ford Model T's in 1912 and was among the first to advertise groceries in newspapers. Expanding into Kentucky with new stores in the 1890's and Missouri in 1912, Kroger eventually grew to a peak of 5,575 stores in 1929. The average store at that time was 3,000 square feet with weekly sales of $1,000. The Kroger Company pioneered private label manufacturing and later technology when they tested the first checkout scanner in 1972 with RCA.

Becoming one of Cincinnati's wealthiest men, Barney Kroger purchased other businesses, including Provident Bank, CM&B Railroad, the Cincinnati American newspaper and a trucking company. He sold his holdings in Provident Bank before the stock market crash of 1929.

Kroger was a true philanthropist whose generosity benefitted the community, especially during economic downturns. He built Children's Hospital in Cincinnati during the Great Depression and maintained a storefront to give away coats to the needy. During the Ohio River floods of 1913 and 1937 he gave away massive quantities of food to displaced families. In the bank crisis of 1933 he converted $15 million of his savings into cash and displayed it at the bank to demonstrate its financial soundness, averting the crisis locally.

Kroger died in July of 1938 at the age of 78, but his influence continues as the grocery supports Gleaners and six other Indiana food banks today. Their education initiatives, like the 23-year partnership with Indianapolis Public School 46 and health-related causes such as Riley Children's Hospital follow his philanthropic philosophy.

Kroger is currently the nation's largest traditional food retailer and the third largest retailer overall. They operate approximately 2,600 food stores, 1,900 pharmacies, 800 convenience stores, 700 fuel centers, 400 jewelry stores, as well as 42 food manufacturing plants, bakeries and dairies in 31 states across America, employing more than 310,000 people. Their annual revenues were nearly $70 billion in 2007. Kroger remains an integral part of the communities they serve, going beyond grocery shopping.

With new energy saving efficiencies, new produce and food displays, there's never been a better time to go Krogering in the heart of Broad Ripple Village.

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