News

4/22/2008

SALISBURY, N.C. - Food Lion has announced that it will begin selling reusable shopping bags in all of its stores beginning April 22, 2008. The bags are made of a poly woven polypropylene, feature the Food Lion logo and will be available in all Food Lion stores beginning Earth Day for $0.89 each.

"There are several reasons why we have made the decision to offer these bags to our customers" said Brian Stokes, Food Lion's Project Manager. "First and foremost, more and more people are becoming aware of the effect grocery bags can have on the environment. Reusable bags make sense. Second, we purchase millions of plastic grocery bags each year. By reducing the cost of buying bags, we can pass on those savings to our customers."

The company's Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food stores already offer similar reusable bags.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid's. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact:Karen Peterson (704) 633-8250, Ext. 3919

4/1/2008

SALISBURY, N.C. — On Monday, March 31, 2008, Food Lion LLC sponsored and organized a luncheon for the U.S. Army Reserves’ 846th Transportation Company out of Salisbury, N.C., which will soon deploy overseas.

The luncheon, which took place at the Army Reserve Center in Salisbury, fed approximately 400 people, including soldiers and their families. Approximately 25 volunteers from Food Lion were on hand to assist with the lunch.

Food items were donated, prepared and served by Salisbury’s Debbie Suggs Catering, while the Party Connection donated decorations, Canteen Services provided ice and beverages and AMVETS Post #460, Union Lutheran Church and the American Red Cross loaned tables and chairs for the event.

Each soldier also received a goody bag filled with snacks, chewing gum, beverage mixes, playing cards, hand sanitizer, pens and notepads donated by Food Lion and Canteen Services. Additionally, Food Lion also prepared goody bags for the children attending the event.

“We at Food Lion are glad to support our troops before they go overseas to protect the United States,” said Pat Fulcher, Food Lion’s vice president of Associate Services. “Food Lion has great appreciation for the men and women who serve our country so admirably.” Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact:Kimberly Blackburn (704) 633-8250, Ext.2858

3/31/2008

SALISBURY, N.C., March 31, 2008 — Today, Food Lion LLC announced that its annual Easter Seals campaign generated nearly $2.9 million thanks to its loyal customers and the efforts from its associates, vendors and Customer Support Center. Since 1991, Food Lion LLC has raised more than $19 million for Easter Seals. As a national corporate partner of Easter Seals, Food Lion LLC customers are making a significant difference in the lives of children living with disabilities.

“We are overwhelmed by the response to this year’s campaign,” said Kyna Foster, Food Lion’s director of community affairs and customer relations. “Everyone at Food Lion is so proud to be making a significant difference in the lives of children living with disabilities in the communities we serve.”

This year’s “Shop & Care” campaign began on Feb. 13 and ran through March 11 at all Food Lion, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food locations. Customers gave their support simply by purchasing $1 Easter Seals at checkout and by purchasing items marked with a special Shop & Care shelf tag and using specially marked vendor coupons. Bloom stores also offered $5 Easter Seals.

In addition to customer participation, Food Lion, Bloom and Bottom Dollar Food associates found creative ways to contribute to the campaign with various contests and fundraisers both in retail stores as well as at the corporate offices.

Easter Seals is a leading non-profit provider of services for individuals with developmental, physical and mental disabilities, and other special needs. For more than 85 years, Easter Seals has been offering help and hope to children and adults living with disabilities, and to the families who love them.

Throughout its history and today, Food Lion LLC strives to be a caring neighbor and good corporate citizen in the communities it serves. Through corporate and foundation giving, campaigns carried out by its stores, local programs and individual associate involvement, Food Lion LLC supports its communities through nonprofit organizations that champion primary and secondary education, hunger relief and children’s health.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact:Kimberly Blackburn (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2858

3/27/2008

SALISBURY, N.C. — As part of Food Lion’s continued partnership with the Norfolk Botanical Garden, visitors to the garden will receive $1 off ticket admission when they present their Food Lion MVP loyalty card.

April kicks off several events at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, including Family Bike Nights, the International Azalea Festival and the Grapevine Wine Social. Additionally, beginning in April, the garden will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

“We are excited to again be partnering with the Norfolk Botanical Garden,” said Alex Plummer, Food Lion’s director of operations for Northern Division. “We are always looking for opportunities to connect with our communities and feel that this partnership is the perfect way to continue our relationship with our customers in the Norfolk area.”

Customers can check out Food Lion’s weekly sales ad for details, as well as visit the garden’s Web site www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org for more information.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates more than 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact:Karen Peterson (704) 633-8250, Ext. 3919

3/20/2008

CHESAPEAKE, VA, March 20, 2008 – This week, Food Lion presented three local winners each with $25,000 to “freshen up their kitchens” during an awards ceremony at the Food Lion located at 2617 Moses Grandy Trail in Chespeake. Specifically, Laura Fluck of Newport News, Va., Kimberly Forehand of Edenton, N.C., and Rhonda Williams of Norfolk, Va., each received a check for $25,000 along with free groceries for a year – $5,200 in Food Lion Gift Cards.

“This is such a wonderful gift since we just moved into a new house with our four girls,” said Williams, who says she shops at Food Lion every other day. “We're going to get a new stove, newer appliances, dining room set – things that we’ve always wanted!”

Each of the winners entered themselves in the giveaway by shopping at Food Lion during its Kitchen Makeover promotion, which ran from Oct. 31 to Dec. 11, 2007. The more times customers shopped at Food Lion and used their MVP loyalty cards, the more times they were entered to win. The promotion was launched after the remodeling of more than 60 Food Lion stores in the Hampton Roads area, which was completed in early 2008.

Specifically, the remodels paid special attention to the fresh departments – produce, meats and deli/bakery. Many of the stores added a new section called “Nature’s Place,” devoted entirely to natural and organic products, and a wider selection of wines. Providing a better presentation of the products, showcasing Food Lion’s freshness and increased variety, was a primary goal of the remodeling work.

“This is an effort to better serve our customers,” said Tammy DeBoer, Food Lion divisional vice president of retail operations. “The Hampton Roads area has been an important market for Food Lion, and these changes will offer an enhanced shopping experience in addition to our great prices and neighborly service for our Hampton Roads shoppers.”

Food Lion customers can find their store’s specials on fresh produce, Butcher’s Brand Premium Beef®, natural and organic items, quality wines and more products throughout the store by visiting www.FoodLion.com and clicking on weekly specials.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.


(from L to R) Rhonda Williams of Norfolk, Va., Kimberly Forehand of Edenton, N.C., and Laura Fluck of Newport News, Va., proudly pose with their checks. They each were winners of a $25,000 Kitchen Makeover Giveaway and groceries for a year as part of the Hampton Roads Food Lion market.

Contact:Kimberly Blackburn (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2858

3/11/2008

SALISBURY, N.C. — Beginning March 12 through March 25, Rowan County Food Lion stores will be collecting donations to support the families of the firefighters lost or injured in the five alarm fire at Salisbury Millworks on March 7.

Donation canisters will be placed at the registers of the nine participating Food Lion stores. All funds collected will be distributed to the families through a partnership with the American Red Cross.

On the day of the fire, associates at the Food Lion located at 251 Faith Road in Salisbury, assembled and delivered 80 lunches to the firefighters at the East Innes Fire Station, while associates at the distribution center on Harrison Road contributed snacks and water to the firefighters.

In addition to fundraising and food donations, the Transportation Department at Food Lion will be providing a shuttle bus and driver to transport friends and family of deceased firefighter Justin Monroe to and from the viewing and memorial services this week.

Donations can be made at any of the following Food Lion stores:

503 Highway 29 South, China Grove, N.C.

1460 S. Main St., China Grove, N.C.

2825-B N. Cannon Blvd., Kannapolis, N.C.

968 Main St., Rockwell, N.C.

2104 Statesville Blvd., Salisbury, N.C.

251 Faith Road, Salisbury, N.C.

123 Mahaley Ave., Salisbury, N.C.

252 Jake Alexander Blvd., Salisbury, N.C.

315 N. Salisbury Ave., Spencer, N.C.

“We are mourning this loss with the city of Salisbury and Rowan County,” said Kyna Foster, Food Lion’s director of community affairs and customer relations. “Our associates and families have been touched by this tragedy, and we want to do everything we can to help our neighbors in need during this difficult time.”

Food Lion also will be sponsoring the “Out Like a Lion” Criterium bicycle race at Salisbury City Park on Sunday, March 16 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event benefits the Elizabeth Hanford Dole American Red Cross in Rowan County. “Our local Red Cross has played an important role in responding to the needs of the community; not only in this tragedy, but throughout the year. We invite the community to show its support of the Red Cross by coming out this Sunday to the bike race,” said Foster. The Red Cross will have a tent at the race where the community can learn about the services provided by the Red Cross and make donations.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact:Kimberly Blackburn (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2858

3/10/2008

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 7, 2008 – Reniki Cumbo of Fayetteville, N.C., was the Grand Prize winner of a $20,000 scholarship during halftime of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) men’s championship game held in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, March 1. Cumbo was one of 11 finalists who participated in the Food Lion/Coca-Cola Scholarship Sweepstakes, an in-store promotion held in January, earning finalists a VIP trip to the CIAA Tournament and a chance to win up to $35,000 in CIAA scholarships. Food Lion and Coca-Cola hosted the finalists during the CIAA tournament weekend and invited all 11 to center court to select a winner. First Prize winner of a $10,000 scholarship was Melvin C. Brimfield of Columbia, S.C., and Runner-Up Prize winner for a $5,000 scholarship was Marchell Green from Richmond, Va. To pick a winner, finalists selected a numbered basketball and actress Jurnee Smollett from the recent movie “The Great Debaters” randomly selected one Grand Prize, First Prize and Runner-Up Prize winner by drawing three MVP cards—Food Lion’s loyalty card—with corresponding numbers to the basketballs.
Other finalists were as follows:
Aisha Bolton Wendy McRae Nubia Olubowale Lenetta Johnson Brenda James Yvette Williams Kevin Kelley Jacqueline Joyner	Cary, N.C. Fayetteville, N.C. Charlotte, N.C. Greensboro, N.C. Lynchburg, Va. Charleston, S.C. Norfolk, Va. Forrestville, Md.
Food Lion has been an Official Corporate Partner of the CIAA for 15 years. Through this relationship, Food Lion has provided scholarships to deserving students at historically black colleges and universities. Food Lion also is the title sponsor of the Food Lion CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and the exclusive food retail sponsor at all CIAA events. Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates approximately 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states. Actress Jurnee Smollett (far right) from the recent movie “The Great Debaters” poses with winners of the Food Lion/Coca-Cola Scholarship Sweepstakes, along with Food Lion LLC and Coca-Cola executives during halftime of the CIAA men’s championship game in Charlotte, N.C., on March 1. Finalists, through an in-store promotion held in January, earned a VIP trip to the CIAA Tournament and a chance to win up to $35,000 in CIAA scholarships. Food Lion is the title sponsor of the Food Lion CIAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and the exclusive food retail sponsor at all CIAA events.

Contact:Kimberly Blackburn (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2858

3/4/2008

SALISBURY, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recognized Food Lion LLC with a seventh ENERGY STAR® award, the most ENERGY STAR awards ever received by a grocer. The award, for sustained excellence, will be presented to Food Lion LLC on April 1, 2008 during a ceremony in Washington, DC.

“Food Lion is dedicated to identifying ways we can protect the environment and conserve energy while meeting business objectives,” said Kyle Mitchell, Food Lion vice president of store development. “While energy conservation has become a focus for many companies in recent years, our energy conservation strategy at Food Lion LLC is now more than a decade old. We’re proud to receive this ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award because it shows that our program continues to be one of the strongest in the country.”

According to the EPA, the 2008 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

"We are proud to recognize Food Lion LLC’s continued efforts with the 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award,” said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. “Year after year partners like Food Lion LLC are examples of the benefits of a long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Their actions are leading the way in saving energy and helping to protect the environment.”

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the ENERGY STAR label can be found on more than 50 different kinds of products, new homes and commercial and industrial buildings. Products and buildings that have earned the ENERGY STAR designation prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the government. In 2006, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved about $14 billion on their energy bills while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 25 million vehicles.

Food Lion LLC employs numerous technologies and initiatives to conserve energy, including demand control systems (to prioritize how energy should be used during peak times, especially during hot summer months), heat reclaim, lighting automation (so lights are on only when necessary), lighting retrofits (to increase the efficiency of fixtures and bulbs), working with refrigeration vendors to increase energy efficiency of equipment and through energy awareness campaigns to raise associate knowledge of energy conservation.

Commercial buildings that earn the ENERGY STAR use an average of 35 percent less energy than typical buildings and also release 35 percent less carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Based on EPA calculations, each of Food Lion’s ENERGY STAR stores saves as much as 86,000 kWh per year – enough to power nine American homes for an entire year. The energy savings at each store also prevent 190,920 pounds of CO2 emissions per year, equal to removing the pollution of 19 cars or planting nearly 26 acres of trees.

About 1,300 grocery stores across the nation have earned the ENERGY STAR. Food Lion LLC owns 703 of these stores.

About Food Lion LLC Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion LLC operates 1,300 supermarkets, either directly or through affiliated entities, under the names of Food Lion, Bloom, Bottom Dollar Food, Harveys and Reid’s. These stores meet local customer needs and preferences for the freshest and best quality products. Food Lion LLC employs approximately 73,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

About ENERGY STAR ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

Contact:Karen Peterson (704) 633-8250, Ext.3919

2/26/2008

SALISBURY, N.C.(Feb. 25, 2008) – Food Lion LLC has named Hans Lefebvre vice president of Meat and Seafood, reporting to Derrick Penick, senior vice president of Merchandising and Distribution.

In this new role, Lefebvre will oversee all aspects of Food Lion’s fresh meat and seafood programs, including sales, quality assurance, product assortment, new item selection, meat case presentation, private label products. He is also charged with developing meat merchandising strategies to serve and meet the needs of customers at the company’s 1,300 Food Lion, Bloom, and Bottom Dollar Food stores.

Lefebvre joined Food Lion LLC in 2003 and has served as a produce merchandising manager, director of research, director of renewal and prototype development and director of merchandising and training for Bloom. Prior to that, he worked for Food Lion’s sister company Hannaford and Kash n’ Karry.

A native of Concord, N.H., Lefebvre was raised in Manchester, N.H., and currently resides in Mooresville, N.C., with his wife and their two children.

Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). Food Lion operates close to 1,300 stores and employs approximately 73,000 associates, delivering great prices, neighborly convenience and quality products to its customers, in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states. Food Lion stores offer more than 28,000 different products.

Contact:Karen Peterson (704) 633-8250, Ext. 3919