Rocky Mountain Farmers Union Statement on Attorney General Weiser Opposing the Kroger-Albertsons Merger

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2024
Contact: LeeAnne Sanders
communications@rmfu.org
(720) 408-4669

DENVER, CO –  Rocky Mountain Farmers Union applauds Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser for officially opposing the merger between grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons. As an advocate for farmers, ranchers, and rural communities, we are troubled by the potential merger between the two largest grocery chains in the country—Kroger and Albertsons. This merger would have detrimental effects on rural communities and the livelihoods of farmers and ranchers here in Colorado and throughout the rest of the country. 

“Rocky Mountain Farmers Union appreciates the thoughtful consideration that went into the decision to oppose the merger between Kroger and Albertsons,” said Rocky Mountain Farmers Union President Chad Franke. “Continued consolidation in all markets where rural Americans buy and sell has been a major issue for our members, and we are grateful that Attorney General Weiser has taken seriously the concerns brought forward by farmers, ranchers, grocery workers, those living in rural communities, and countless others about the devastating impact that this merger could have on communities across our state,” Franke continued. 

Colorado farmers and ranchers already face an uphill battle to obtain a fair price from grocery stores and grocery suppliers when selling their products. The proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons would only exacerbate this issue. Were this merger to go through, Colorado farmers and ranchers would have fewer outlets for selling their goods. This merger would also eliminate their already minimal power to leverage offers from one chain against the other to obtain a fair price. Further decrease in competition would force producers into selling their goods at an untenable price for many family farmers and ranchers to survive. 

Our members have made their concerns clear that the cascading effects of this merger would cause small community grocers to go out of business, increasing the number of food deserts and requiring those living in rural communities to travel further distances to buy affordable groceries. At a time when families are already struggling with high food costs and considering the already staggeringly high existence of food deserts in rural communities, the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union opposes this merger, and we thank Attorney General Weiser for today’s announcement of the lawsuit filed to block the merger.