The Kroger Co., the parent company of QFC and Fred Meyer, today announced new and enhanced long-term associate benefits following the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including an industry-leading education assistance program called Feed Your Future, a more generous 401(k) benefit, and enriched associate discount and support programs.

To help associates on their educational journey, QFC is introducing Feed Your Future – a new associate continuing education benefit. The Feed Your Future program will offer up to $3,500 annually toward continuing education, including GED, professional certifications and advanced degrees from accredited online and traditional universities and colleges. All part-time and full-time associates are eligible after six months of service for this best-in-class educational benefit that will be one of the most generous in the retail industry.

“We care deeply about the career growth and development of our 6,000+ QFC associates and want to support both our full- and part-time employees wherever they are on their personal education journey,” said Suzy Monford, QFC’s president in a press release. “We believe investing in education will support and encourage a culture of lifelong learning and reinforce our ‘come for a job, stay for a career’ culture of opportunity. There is no better way to do that than by making education benefits available to more associates at more generous levels than ever before.”

As part of Feed Your Future, QFC is introducing a new educational leave of absence as well that allows associates to take time off work to focus on approved studies, while maintaining a role with the company and their seniority.

To support associates’ financial well-being, QFC will also increase the company match in the 401(k) Plan to 5 percent of pay, compared to a 4 percent match today.

QFC is currently looking to hire more than 200 associates in the Puget Sound area, both full- and part-time, for a variety of positions within its stores.