Retailer meets its inaugural goal through its hunger relief
initiative Food Lion Feeds
SALISBURY, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–With 1 in 8 neighbors, including 1 in 6 children, facing hunger across
its 10-state footprint, Food Lion set out to help its neighbors by
launching Food Lion Feeds, the company’s hunger relief initiative, in
2014. After committing to donate 500 million meals by the end of 2020,
Food Lion announced today that it has reached its goal more than 18
months early.
“Each of these 500 million meals has helped one of our neighbors who did
not know where their next meal would come from – children, seniors,
service members, veterans and families across our footprint who were
faced with the impossible choices caused by hunger,” said Food Lion
President Meg Ham. “We won’t accept that many of our neighbors are
food-insecure and struggle to nourish their families, so we felt
compelled to take action by uniting with our customers and partners to
eliminate the choices families are forced to make when they are hungry.”
To achieve this feat, the retailer worked tirelessly with its national
hunger relief partner, Feeding America, and the 30 Feeding
America-affiliated food banks across Food Lion’s 10-state service
territory to identify opportunities to help and feed their neighbors.
Additionally, Food Lion Feeds has made significant capital campaign
commitments to partner food banks to increase access to nutritious food
and create life-changing programs, including Second Harvest Food Bank of
Metrolina in Charlotte, N.C. ($1.5 million), Food Bank of Central &
Eastern NC in Raleigh, N.C. ($1.2 million), Harvest Hope Food Bank in
Columbia, S.C. ($1 million), Feeding America Southwest Virginia in
Roanoke, Va. ($350,000) and Lowcountry Food Bank in Charleston, S.C.
($300,000).
Through these partnerships and the efforts of Food Lion associates,
customers and other partners over the past five years, Food Lion Feeds
donated 500 million meals through a combination of product, financial
and equipment donations; disaster relief and recovery efforts; volunteer
hours by associates; in-store retail campaigns; the company’s food
rescue program to donate food before it perishes; and other sources.
“Our commitment to donate 500 million meals was significant, but it was
about so much more than a number,” said Ham. “Nourishing our neighbors
in the towns and cities we serve is what we do. So, we’re proud of
achieving our goal and grateful to our customers and community partners
who have helped us achieve it. We also recognize that there is more
vital work to be done.”
For more information on Food Lion’s commitment to fighting hunger in the
towns and cities it serves and how to help, visit www.foodlion.com.
About Food Lion
Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,000
stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than
63,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices
and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full
shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong
commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves.
Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has committed to provide 500
million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020.
Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of
Zaandam-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group. For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.
Contacts
Emma Inman, APR
704-310-3869
emma.inman@foodlion.com
Matt
Harakal
704-245-3317
matthew.harakal@foodlion.com