As school bells ring across Metro Detroit, Kroger is rolling out new tools and recipe ideas designed to simplify packed lunches, weekday dinners and grocery runs for families adjusting to the back-to-school routine.
Cam Barrett, head of communications and public affairs for Kroger, discussed the offerings on Live in the D.
Barrett said the key to a good lunchbox is a mix of fresh, filling and fun options, from bento boxes with fruit and cheese to peanut butter and jelly reimagined as a taco or shaped like a spider. Kroger’s Fresh Lane on Kroger.com offers additional recipes, Barrett said, adding that the goal is to think about “how can we sprinkle in a little bit of fun too.”
For mornings when kids sleep in, Barrett pointed to grab-and-go items such as protein-stuffed pancakes, rice cakes with toppings like Nutella and banana, and blender cubes that turn into a smoothie in under three minutes.
One of the newer additions is an AI-powered shopping assistant built into the Kroger app, which Barrett described as a personalized grocery guide. Barrett said the tool can generate meal and snack ideas based on dietary needs, add items directly to a shopping cart, and even help families budget.
“This is like your own little personal grocery guide here,” Barrett said.
Barrett said the assistant can also handle logistical requests, such as suggesting fast meals on nights with after-school activities and can factor in cost constraints for larger households.
“How do I budget? How do I stretch my dollar?” Barrett said, describing a request for five meals for a family of four under $100 for the week. The assistant returned a full weekly meal plan with ingredients that could be added straight to a cart.
Beyond food, Barrett said Kroger stores are stocked with school supplies as families prepare for the semester.
“So, we’re just not stuffing lunchboxes. We’re also stuffing backpacks. We’re also stuffing crayon boxes,” Barrett said, noting that backpacks, markers, pencils and other items are available, many priced under $5.
Barrett encouraged families to visit their local Kroger for help from store associates. Store locations can be found at Kroger.com.