December 10, 2024  — Today, U.S. District Judge for Oregon Adrienne Nelson ruled in favor of the  Federal Trade Commission’s efforts to halt Kroger’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons, a rival grocery chain, and blocked the merger.

Experts agreed that the merger would have caused increased prices at grocery stores during a time when families are already struggling. Since 2023, ParentsTogether has mobilized 30,000 parents to sign petitions and rally at the Federal Trade Commission headquarters to make their voices heard. This ruling is a victory for parents, caregivers, and activists around the country who have fought tirelessly to prevent this virtual monopoly from forming.

In response, Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of ParentsTogether Action, shared the following statement:

“This is a huge win for kids and families across the country and it was made possible by the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to ensuring that hard-working families are able to get food on the table,” said Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of ParentsTogether Action. 

“Parents across the country rallied in opposition to the deal, recognizing that, as families struggle to afford rising prices at the grocery store, massive food companies enjoy record breaking profits. The Kroger-Alberstons merger would have exacerbated this injustice with price hikes for consumers. Luckily, the FTC recognized that giving massive corporations free rein to rake in more profits off of the backs of everyday families was unacceptable and took action to help Americans feed their families. Today, parents across the country can breathe a sigh of relief that the  FTC prevailed and stopped the merger – and the price increases that would have come along with it.” 

View the ParentsTogether petition here.