Kroger pushes ‘Georgia Grown’ tags as shoppers search for savings amid high grocery prices

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — As grocery prices remain high, Kroger promoted “Georgia Grown” and “Local Makes Cents” tags in its stores Thursday as a way to steer shoppers toward locally produced food and send more dollars back to farm families.

The push came as the national debate over food costs intensified.

Politico reported President Donald Trump’s plan to ease beef import tariffs was on hold after internal disagreement, highlighting the tension between lowering prices for consumers and protecting the cattle industry.

At a Kroger in Atlanta, shopper Claudette Dillard said she was watching prices closely.

“Prices are so high these days,” Dillard said.

Even so, Dillard said she still looked for Georgia products, including Vidalia onions, and viewed buying in-state food as an investment in Georgia’s economy at a possibly lower price.

“That’s also more money, tax money for our state if you purchase things that are grown in the state,” she said.

Kroger Corporate Affairs Manager Tammie Young-Ennaemba said the store’s local labeling is designed to make it easier for shoppers to quickly identify Georgia products while they shop.

“Nothing’s better than touching those peaches, pulling them right off the tree, putting one in your mouth,” Young-Ennaemba said.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper also visited the store and encouraged shoppers to consider what local purchases mean for producers facing weather and cost pressures.

“95% of our farms are family owned, so when you buy Georgia-grown, you’re supporting a family down the street,” Harper said.

Harper warned that drought, wildfires and rising costs can reduce what farms produce, which can affect prices later. He also argued that imported products may not face the same standards and said Georgia farmers struggle to compete on an uneven playing field.

“If they’re not able to be successful and, unfortunately, they’re not able to compete in the marketplace, and we see them diminish or go away, that means we become more reliant on foreign sources of food,” Harper said.

Kroger and state agriculture leaders said shoppers would see more Georgia-grown tags as peak season ramps up for peaches, blueberries and watermelons.

State officials said they were also tracking drought and wildfire impacts that could squeeze supply and prices statewide.