Nestlé Purina and Kroger "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" Campaign to Donate $150,000 to Animal Welfare Organizations Nationwide

Television Special Celebrating the Bond Between People and Their Pets Airs
Nationally On WGN America Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. ET
ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
Nestlé Purina and Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) have teamed up to
launch the second annual "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" campaign, celebrating
the unique bond between people and their pets, while raising funds for animal
welfare organizations nationwide. Together Purina and the Kroger family of
stores will donate $150,000 to animal welfare organizations in 2009 and will
recognize six exceptional pet lovers` tales via a national television special,
which will air nationally on WGN America on Nov. 15 at 11 a.m. ET.

The campaign invites pet lovers to share their favorite pet tales with Purina
and Kroger online at www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com. For each story shared,
Purina and Kroger will make an additional donation to animal welfare
organizations.

"There is an unmistakable bond between people and their pets," said David
Tornberg, marketing manager at Nestlé Purina. "Nestlé Purina is committed to
promoting responsible pet care, humane education and community involvement. Our
project with Kroger enables us to further engage pet lovers with a program that
gives back to the communities in which our consumers live and allows us to share
endearing stories about the human-pet relationship."

"Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" runs through November and will culminate with
the national airing on WGN America of the "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" TV
special.

"We`re proud to support the `Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart` program," said
Bill Dankworth, vice president, grocery/direct store delivery, for Kroger.
"Aligning our family of stores with one of the world`s leading pet food
manufacturers allows us to recognize the special bond our customers share with
their pets."

Television Special

The "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" TV special will celebrate six pet lovers
and will spotlight the positive effects people and their pets have on one
another. Additionally, the program will highlight relationships between owners
and their pets from submissions on the www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com site.
The program will include stories such as:

* Racing Towards the Future - From competitive racers to loved family members,
see how some greyhounds are getting the chance to experience a new way of life.
* A Nose Knows- Everyone knows that dogs are a man`s best friend - but are they
heroes too? Learn just how brave a man`s best friend is as she sniffs out
danger.
* Entertaining Animals - From juggling and balancing acts to comedy skits for
all ages, watch how one animal trainer works with cats and dogs.

"This program brings to life one of the most powerful human relationships - that
between a person and their pet," said pet owner Melissa Heeter of Atlanta, who
was featured along with her dogs in the 2008 `Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart`
program. "It was a privilege to work with Purina and Kroger in 2008 to share my
story about the bond that my dogs and I share. I was proud to play a part in
supporting local animal welfare organizations."

Online

Pet lovers` stories come to life online at the "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart"
Web site. The site includes information about the television special and local
listings; tips for helping homeless pets find their forever home; and fun family
activities for caring and communicating with your four-legged friend. Consumers
can submit their own pet tales directly to the site for the chance to raise
additional money for animal welfare organizations in their community.

In-Store and Promotional Support

Nestlé Purina`s project with Kroger allows the company to create a multi-faceted
event across the Kroger family of stores. At the center of the campaign are
specially designed "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" displays that will convey
the companionship and love between people and their pets. The campaign also
includes point-of-sale and in-store and circular coupons. Nestlé Purina and
Kroger will work with DunnhumbyUSA, a leader in data management, customer
analysis, and insight-led planning, to monitor the campaign and identify ways to
improve customers` shopping experiences.

For more information on the "Tales for the Pet Lover`s Heart" program or to
submit your own pet tale, visit www.TalesForThePetLoversHeart.com. To find a
Kroger store near you, visit www.Kroger.com.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare

The North American headquarters for Nestlé Purina PetCare is located at
Checkerboard Square in St. Louis, Missouri, where it was founded as Ralston
Purina Company more than a century ago. Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes
responsible pet care, humane education, community involvement and the positive
bond between people and their pets. One of the leading global players in the pet
food industry, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of the Swiss-based Nestle S.A., the
world's largest food company.

About Kroger

Kroger, one of the nation`s largest retail grocery chains, employs more than
326,000 associates who serve customers in 2,475 supermarkets and
multi-department stores in 31 states. Kroger operates stores under two dozen
local banner names including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, Fry`s,
King Soopers, Smith`s, Dillons, QFC and City Market. In addition, Kroger
associates serve customers in 764 convenience stores, 387 fine jewelry stores
and 798 supermarket fuel centers the Company operates. Kroger also operates 40
food processing plants in the U.S. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger
focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness
initiatives, and local schools and grassroots organizations in the communities
it serves. For more information about the Company, please visit www.kroger.com.

JSH&A Public Relations
Jennifer Nau, 630-932-7987
jennifern@jsha.com
or
Nestlé Purina PetCare
Bill Etling, 314-982-4825
william.etling@purina.nestle.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009