LOS ANGELES — Ralphs Grocery Co. this week began offering free blood glucose tests to help customers assess their risk for diabetes.

The Los Angeles-area supermarket chain, part of The Kroger Co., is providing the glucose tests at its 80 in-store pharmacies through Nov. 20. Ralphs pharmacists conduct the tests with a quick fingerstick.

Tests are available to adults during pharmacy hours on a walk-in basis. Customers getting a blood glucose test receive a pharmacist consultation to help them better understand results.

“Diabetes is a serious health issue, and blood glucose testing is an example of how our Ralphs pharmacies are offering accessible health care services that help people live healthier,” Rebecca Cupp, vice president of pharmacy at Ralphs, said in a statement. “We are offering free blood glucose tests so our customers can better understand their numbers and the importance of knowing that they can make informed decisions about their health.”

Ralphs, which operates 197 supermarkets, is offering the free glucose tests in partnership with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) for National Diabetes Awareness Month in November. According to the association, diabetes affects 29.1 million Americans, which represents about 9.3% of the population. Almost 1.4 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people age 20 and older each year.

Earlier this month, Ralphs Pharmacy attended and supported the ADA’s Feria de Salud in Lynwood, Calif. At the event, Ralphs pharmacists conducted free blood pressure and blood glucose checks and body mass index (BMI) measurements. Ralphs also distributed free Sharps containers for syringes and lancets.

Other health and wellness services offered at Ralphs pharmacies include adult and adolescent immunizations for hepatitis A/B, tetanus, meningitis, cervical cancer, pneumonia, shingles and flu; customized medication reviews; memory screenings; smoking cessation; cholesterol screenings; and free blood pressure checks.