CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. is supporting Feeding America food banks through a new health and wellness program with its in-store pharmacies and The Little Clinic retail health clinics.

Kroger said Monday that through April 1, 2017, it will donate one meal via the Feeding America food bank network for each flu shot administered at its supermarket pharmacies and The Little Clinic locations.

“At Kroger, receiving the flu shot this year will do more than protect you and your families’ health. Throughout this flu season, we’ll provide a meal for a neighbor struggling with hunger for every flu shot administered in our pharmacies or The Little Clinic locations nationwide,” Philecia Avery, vice president of pharmacy at Kroger, said in a statement. “Kroger has a long history of bringing help and hope to our neighbors in need in the communities we serve. We’re proud to continue that tradition by bringing health and wellness to our local communities as well.”

Kroger has 2,230 pharmacies in its 2,778 supermarkets, under a variety of banners, in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The Little Clinic operates 195 clinics inside select Kroger, Fry’s, JayC, Dillons and King Soopers stores in Ohio, Kansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Virginia, Mississippi and Colorado.

Kroger noted that each year more than 200,000 people are hospitalized by influenza, and flu vaccinations can lower the risk of more serious symptoms and outcomes, including flu-related hospitalizations.

“Our goal is to provide quality and affordable health care for our customers,” stated Colleen Lindholz, president of The Little Clinic. “Health care experts recommend a yearly vaccination as the best protection from the flu. This campaign allows us to address two community needs simultaneously.”

Kroger supports more than 100 Feeding America food bank partners. Overall, Feeding America’s 200 food banks provides food to more than 46 million people through food pantries and meal programs in communities nationwide.

“Kroger is a true visionary partner committed to our mission to feed people facing hunger in America,” commented Diana Aviv, chief executive officer of Feeding America. “This new health and wellness campaign is invaluable not only for Kroger customers, but also for the 46 million food-insecure Americans who receive food and groceries from our network of food banks.”