Food Lion was selected as the 2021 Southeast Retailer of the Year by the Shelby Report, the leading publication in the food and grocery industry.
Salisbury-based Food Lion was recognized specifically for its company culture and community involvement.
“We’re a people organization, we’re a service organization, and our people matter. Our people make the difference. Period,” Food Lion President Meg Ham said.
The company has embraced its “Count on me” culture, a philosophy on how it helps deliver affordable groceries to families. It also speaks to the grocer’s efforts in caring for its more than 82,000 employees.
“Cashiers make a difference. Folks who clean our stores make an incredible difference. Our data scientists make an incredible difference. So, it doesn’t matter where you are, every role is important,” Ham said. “And we count on each other, to deliver our part, to know what to do, to make it easy, and to do it all with care.”
Vital to the brand’s identity is ensuring that no one should have to worry about their next meal.
Food Lion Feeds, the company’s philanthropic organization, debuted in 2014 with a goal of donating 500,000 meals by 2020, which it surpassed 18 months early. Now, Food Lion Feeds plans to distribute a billion more meals by 2025.
“We’re excited to see Food Lion receive the recognition it deserves,” Rowan EDC President Rod Crider said. “They have been a great partner to us throughout the Forward Rowan campaign, and have made a significant positive impact on our community as we fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to all those with Food Lion on earning this honor.”
