Lynn Marmer, The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) group vice president of corporate affairs, was named to The List of People Shaping Retail's Future by the NRF Foundation, the non-profit arm of the National Retail Federation (NRF).
The NRF Foundation will recognize Marmer as a "Giver" for her work to raise the standard of giving among grocery retailers by developing Kroger's groundbreaking Perishable Donations Partnership (PDP) which empowers associates to identify meat, produce, dairy and bakery items that can no longer be sold, but remain safe, fresh and nutritious complements to dry goods donations to food banks.
"Retail connects with people's everyday lives. It is part of our customers' dreams, aspirations and simple acts of showing love and caring," said Marmer. "I am humbled to receive this honor, which is really recognition of our 375,000 associates who serve their neighbors in countless ways each and every day."
According to the NRF, the 25 individuals selected represent power players, disruptors, givers, influencers and dreamers in the retail industry. Honorees will be recognized during the NRF Foundation's Inaugural Gala on January 11, 2015 at Pier Sixty in New York City.
Kroger's perishable donations program has donated more than 195 million meals to community food banks since its inception, as well as kept more than 100,000 tons of food waste out of landfills. Last year alone, Kroger donated more than 50 million pounds of healthy, perishable food to Feeding America food banks through this program.
Kroger, one of the world's largest retailers, employs more than 375,000 associates who serve customers in 2,631 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 34 states and the District of Columbia under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, Harris Teeter, Jay C, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's.