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Take a Fresh Look at Food Lion

6/22/2009

Five renewed stores create nearly 110 jobs in Daytona market
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion is set to cut the ribbon on five remodeled stores in the Daytona Beach, Fla., area on Wednesday, June 17. As part of Food Lion’s ongoing “Take A Fresh Look” renewal efforts, Food Lion is remodeling the stores to give them a fresh look and feel. The renewal has created nearly 110 jobs in the Daytona Beach area.

“This is an exciting time for Food Lion and our customers, as we celebrate a fresh, new look, a greater selection of products and a renewed focus on service,” said Gene Faller, Food Lion’s vice president of Southeastern Markets. “We wanted to enhance our customers’ shopping experience through a more inviting interior design and have expanded our fresh departments, including produce, meats and deli/bakery, as well as our organic selection.”

The new signage, graphics and décor; and enhanced lighting give the stores the atmosphere of a neighborhood marketplace. The remodeling work also is designed to give stores more space to provide a greater selection of products, including more natural and organic foods and expanded beer and wine offerings. The stores have been undergoing renovation for a number of months.

Each store will celebrate the completion of renovations on Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and re-grand opening festivities, including product sampling throughout the stores, grilled hot dog lunches and activities for kids, while each store will giveaway 50 tickets to an upcoming Daytona Cubs game.

Food Lion locations included in the renewal efforts are:

Food Lion at 2469 South U.S. Highway 1
Saint Augustine, Fla. 32886
Store Manager: Ron Regen
Telephone Number: 904-797-5393
22 Full-Time Associates
26 Part-Time Associates
Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Re-Grand Opening: Ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m.

Food Lion at 101 East Granada Blvd.
Ormond Beach, Fla. 32176
Store Manager: Mark Bernard
Telephone Number: 386-677-6167
16 Full-Time Associates
54 Part-Time Associates
Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Re-Grand Opening: Ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m. Mayor, Police Chief and Fire Chief invited.

Food Lion at 4190 South Atlantic Ave.
New Smyrna Beach, Fla. 32169
Store Manager: Drew Senus
Telephone Number: 386-427-0801
15 Full-Time Associates
39 Part-Time Associates
Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Re-Grand Opening: Ribbon-cutting at 7:45 a.m.

Food Lion at 1382 Howland Blvd.
Deltona, Fla. 32738
Store Manager: John Blekicki
Telephone Number: 386-574-7252
20 Full-Time Associates
25 Part-Time Associates
Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Re-Grand Opening: Ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m. Long-time customer Theresa Burch will cut the ribbon.

Food Lion at 3826 South Clyde Morris Blvd.
Port Orange, Fla. 32129
Store Manager: Ernie Muszynski
Telephone Number : 386-756-6648
28 Full-Time Associates
44 Part-Time Associates
Store Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Re-Grand Opening: Ribbon-cutting at 7:45 a.m. Mayor Allen Green will cut the ribbon.

Food Lion strives to be a caring neighbor and good corporate citizen in the communities it serves and directs its corporate giving efforts towards feeding the hungry, children’s health and education, including campaigns around Hunger Has a Cure, Children’s Miracle Network, Easter Seals and United Way. In 2008, Food Lion raised more than $34,000 for the Daytona Beach area through its various campaigns, as well as donated more than 118,000 pounds of food through the Second Harvest Food Banks of North Florida and Central Florida. Additionally, the Food Lion Charitable Foundation provides financial support for non-profit programs and organizations dedicated to improving the communities in which Food Lion operates.

Food Lion customers can find their store’s specials on fresh produce, Butcher’s Brand Premium Beef®, other fresh meats, natural products, wines, and more items 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 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 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact: Christy Phillips-Brown (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2221

Food Lion Gives Nearly $3.3 Million to Easter Seals
Shop&Care Program Celebrates 18th consecutive year of fundraising

6/12/2009

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion LLC’s Shop&Care program raised nearly $3.3 million for Easter Seals. Food Lion presented a check to the organization on June 4.

“Thanks to the support of our customers, vendors and brokers, our Shop&Care program has been able to raise a great amount of money to support Easter Seals,” said Chris Blumenthal, health & wellness specialist for Food Lion LLC. “In addition, it is a great opportunity for associates to connect with customers, support our local communities and help individuals living with special needs.”

Customers donated $1.8 million this year by contributing $1 or more during checkout, and 115 participating manufacturers raised $1.1 million. Food Lion and other vendors raised an additional $263,000 through special product promotions and coupon programs. Since 1991, Food Lion LLC has raised more than $22 million for the organization.

For more than 50 years, Food Lion LLC has served as a caring neighbor and strong corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates. Through corporate and foundation giving, campaigns carried out by its more than 1,300 stores, local programs and individual associate involvement, Food Lion LLC supports communities and numerous nonprofit organizations. In 2008, Food Lion LLC donated more than 21 million pounds of food and gave more than $5.2 million through foundation and community giving.

About Food Lion
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 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

About Easter Seals
Easter Seals is the leading nonprofit provider of services for individuals living with autism, developmental, physical and mental disabilities and other special needs, providing medical rehabilitation, job training, child care, adult day programs, and camping and recreation.

Contact: Jennifer Speck (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2118

Food Lion Named a Top Retail Role Model

6/5/2009

Food Lion's Commitment to Good Nutrition Earns Recognition

Salisbury, N.C., (June 5) -Food Lion has earned Produce for Better Health Foundation's (PBH) Supermarket Retail Role Model honors for its support of their Fruits & Veggies-More Matters® national public health initiative. The company was formally recognized for this honor during the foundation's annual Board of Trustees meeting on April 3, 2009. Food Lion was one of only four grocery chains recognized nationwide, and the only chain with headquarters in the Southeast.

"Throughout 2008, Food Lion exhibited a true commitment of support to Fruits and Veggies-More Matters and to distributing the message that everyone should be eating more fruits and vegetables for their better health," said Elizabeth Pivonka, Ph.D., R.D., president and CEO of PBH, the nonprofit entity behind Fruits & Veggies-More Matters. "We're extremely proud and appreciative of the efforts contributed by Food Lion to spread the word that increasing fruit and vegetable consumption is important to good nutrition."

PBH selected Food Lion from the more than 60 licensed PBH retail member companies because of their efforts and commitment to promote the Fruits & Veggies-More Matters brand and increase the fruit and vegetable consumption of their customers.

"Participating in the PBH Fruits & Veggies - More Matters initiative is important to Food Lion," said Gaines Chamberlain, Food Lion's produce merchandising manager. "Food Lion wants to provide healthy and nutritious meal solutions for our customers. Our focus on health and wellness, for example, includes providing more nutritional educational materials and offering our Guiding Stars in-store nutritional navigation system, which is a simple and convenient way our customers can make nutritional product selections. We're honored PBH has recognized us for our efforts."

Food Lion strengthened their marketing efforts to better promote healthy eating of fruits and vegetables and, for example, included the PBH information on their Web site's Kid's Section.

"Food Lion has taken great strides to revamp our program to provide our customers with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to meet the ever-growing need for more nutritional offerings," said Jim Corby, Food Lion's vice president of produce merchandising. "Food Lion offers customers many ideas for easy-to-fix, inexpensive, meal solutions that incorporate plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables in weekly ad circulars, on the web site at www.foodlion.com and in the store."

Consumers interested in learning more about Fruits & Veggies - More Matters, and finding recipes and tips for getting kids to eat fruits and vegetables, are encouraged to visit the Fruits & Veggies - More Matters Web site, www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org. The Web site also features a new Video Center that outlines proper storage methods and demonstrates healthy, fast recipe preparation step by step. It offers other fun and useful tidbits of produce information and makes adding more fruits and vegetables to meals and snacks easy and delicious.

About Food Lion LLC
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 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

About Produce for Better Health Foundation
Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) consumer education foundation whose purpose is to motivate more people to eat more fruits and vegetables to improve public health. PBH is a member and co-chair of the National Fruit & Vegetable Alliance (NFVA), consisting of government agencies, non-profit organizations, and industry working to collaboratively and synergistically achieve increased nationwide access and demand for all forms off fruits and vegetables for improved public health. This vision of the NFVA is a nation in which half of the foods Americans eat are fruits and vegetables. Fruits & Veggies-More Matters is the nation's largest public-private, fruit and vegetable nutrition education initiative with Fruit and Vegetable Nutrition Coordinators in each state, territory and the military.

PBH's mission is to lead people to eat more fruits and vegetables because it matters for their better health. The foundation achieves success though industry and government collaboration, and a variety of marketing and nutrition education programs. To learn more, visit www.pbhfoundation.org and www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org.

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

PBH Contact: Jill M. Le Brasseur, (302) 235-2329, jlebrasseur@pbhfoundation.org

Food Lion Offers Customers $10 in Free Groceries per Visit

6/4/2009

Consumers Buying More Private Brands; Food Lion Rewards Loyal Shoppers

SALISBURY, N.C. (June 4, 2009) — Last week, Food Lion customers saved nearly $150,000 during the first week of the company’s Food Lion Private Brand Super Sale. Through June 23, Food Lion shoppers can earn up to $10 in free groceries every time they buy Food Lion Private Brand products. Customers get $1 in coupons for the first four Food Lion Private Brand products they purchase and 25 cents back for each additional Food Lion brand product they buy – up to $10 – during the promotion.

“Food Lion wants to put money back in customers’ pockets by rewarding our loyal customers,” said Shavonne Clark, Food Lion’s director of Private Brands for Delhaize Group – U.S. “Food Lion sales trends show consumers are switching to private brand products, and this is one way we can thank customers who use private brand products. We also want to provide additional incentive for customers who may not have tried Food Lion’s private brand products.”

The promotion allows customers to use their MVP loyalty cards to take advantage of lower prices available by purchasing their favorite Food Lion Private Brand products. The coupons are redeemable on customers’ next grocery bill. Food Lion customers can view full details of the promotion online at www.FoodLion.com.

“In today’s economy, we are focused on providing the best quality and value for our customers, and purchasing private brand products is one solution,” said Clark. “Food Lion’s private brand products meet and often exceed national brand equivalents. Milk, cheese, eggs, bottled water and soft drinks are among some of the most popular items purchased by customers and all of these items will result in savings for customers during this special promotion.”

Food Lion also provides customers other options for value-added meal planning, including the “Meals for Less” program, which features a meal for four for under $10, weekly specials and ongoing values through use of the MVP card.

About Food Lion LLC
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 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact: Christy Phillips-Brown (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2221

Food Lion Launches “Great Price Hunters” Advertising Campaign

5/27/2009

Campaign Focuses on Reinforcing Food Lion’s Strong Price Position in Current Economy

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion debuts a new advertising campaign today, highlighting its unique price position and neighborhood convenience in key markets. The launch of the spots is aimed at reinforcing Food Lion’s long-standing history of competitive pricing.

“Food Lion has a long history of delivering competitive prices and great convenience to our customers,” said Ken Mills, vice president of Marketing. “In the midst of a tough economy and various retailers focusing on price messaging, we want to remind our customers that they do not have to hunt from store to store for great prices. Food Lion delivers excellent prices on items throughout our stores every day.”

“Great Price Hunters” is the foundation for the advertising campaign which will continue for six weeks. Two new television commercials use hunting as an analogy for a common situation – a family traveling from store to store to find great prices on key items on their grocery shopping lists. One ad, titled “Cheddar” features a mother and her children in the forest with nets, chasing down a wedge of cheddar cheese that is on sale.

The second commercial, titled “Carts” features shopping carts mingling around a watering hole, while a family waits for the perfect moment to pounce on their prey – a full shopping cart within their budget.

The commercials will air in a number of Food Lion’s key markets beginning May 27. The fully integrated marketing campaign will also include various print, radio, online and outdoor advertisements. The commercials can be viewed on Food Lion’s Web site at www.foodlion.com/pricehunters.

“We want to remind consumers that they do not need to travel to multiple stores for the best price,” added Mills. “Despite competitors’ claims, we consistently provide savings on all the groceries a family needs – every day and in a one-stop shopping experience - which saves customers time and money. We expect the campaign’s message will be extremely relevant to our customers during this time and we believe the ads will set us apart from other grocery retailers.”

Food Lion partnered with its advertising agency, Ames Scullin O’Haire in Atlanta, Ga., on the campaign. Food Lion has worked with Ames Scullin O’Haire since 2000.

“We are extremely pleased to partner with Food Lion on this unique and creative campaign built on shopping behavior insights and designed to reinvigorate Food Lion’s strong heritage around great prices,” said Bill Mueller, account director at Ames Scullin O’Haire. “Food Lion challenged us to develop messages that would break through the marketplace clutter and connect with consumers in a relevant, fun and engaging way. We are confident that our collaboration will produce tangible sales results.”

About Food Lion

About Ames Scullin O’Haire

Ames Scullin O’Haire is an independently-owned advertising agency founded in 1997 and headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. ASO delivers creativity and passion in selling through providing a full range of strategic marketing, creative and media services to a select and diverse group of client partners. Member: American Association of Advertising Agencies and Worldwide Partners Inc.

Contact: Christy Phillips-Brown, ext. 2221

Food Lion’s Elden Cave Named a Top Produce Manager by United Fresh

5/21/2009

Cave named one of top five retail produce managers across the industry; honored in Las Vegas, Nev.

SALISBURY, N.C. - Food Lion's Elden Cave has been named a top produce manager by United Fresh Produce Association. The award honors the top 25 produce managers across the industry, with representatives this year from 14 states and Canada. Cave is Food Lion's and North Carolina's only representative.

Cave, who is the produce manager at the Food Lion located at 600 E. Atkins St., in Dobson, was recently honored at the United Fresh Las Vegas 2009 convention, where he was awarded a $1,000 prize for being named one of the top five produce managers among the 25 overall winners.

"It's a great honor and privilege to receive this award," said Cave. "I'm very fortunate because I love my job and have enjoyed working with a number of colleagues who have helped me get to where I am today. I'm proud to represent Food Lion with this honor."

Cave's commitment to the community played a key role in his award, as he has partnered with the local recreation department to help provide local elementary schools with fresh fruits and vegetables each day of the week for six weeks to help children learn about nutritious snacking and encourage them to try new produce items. Cave also partners with local senior homes to distribute fruit baskets to seniors during the holiday season.

"Elden exhibits a cheerful and exhilarating passion for produce, healthy nutrition and his community," said Gaines Chamberlain, produce merchandising manager for Food Lion. "He enjoys talking about produce, knowing his business, having fun and delivering the freshest produce available every day."

Cave, who has been with Food Lion for 29 years, also works to help mentor other produce associates, providing advice, guidance and support for those that are new to the produce department.

"Elden's produce department stands tall everyday," said Dave Bellis, district manager for the Mount Airy district. "He has a strong attention to detail and quality, and creativity in his work, while his focus on serving the customer and the community make him a leader in this district."

The award recognizes those that work everyday to increase sales and consumption of fresh fruits and vegetable and focuses on a number of criteria including efforts to increase produce consumption through excellence in merchandising, displays and promotions, community service and commitment to customer satisfaction. This year's winners were chosen from hundreds of nominations.

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 74,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.

Contact: Jennifer Speck (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2118

Food Lion to Open New Store in Cookeville on May 20

5/19/2009

New Store Creates 67 New Jobs

SALISBURY, N.C. (May 19, 2009) — Food Lion is creating 67 new jobs this week with the opening of its new 38,000 square-foot store on West Jackson Street. The store is the second Food Lion supermarket in the Cookeville area and will open on May 20.

“We appreciate the continued support of the community, which has allowed us to continue to grow in the market,” said Mike Brooks, market vice president for the company’s Southwestern Region. “We are committed to delivering great value and quality products at everyday low prices to our customers.”

Barry Shelton, a 13-year Food Lion veteran, will serve as store manager.

“We look forward to being a good neighbor and becoming a vital part of the Cookeville community,” Shelton said. “Our 67 associates are here to serve our new customers and we are excited about the grand opening. We will offer unsurpassed quality, variety and product selections through a caring and genuine staff.”

The grand opening event will begin at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. Events include:

Cookeville High School JROTC to present the colors and arms, and lead the Pledge of Allegiance.
Cookeville Mayor Sam Sallee and other dignitaries will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Cookeville Fire Truck and Rescue Squad will be at the store from 7:30 a.m. to Noon for children and families to view.

Also, as part of its grand opening celebration, Food Lion is sponsoring a Food Challenge from May 20 through May 23 and inviting churches and nonprofit organizations in the community to participate.

“The new Food Lion will also have a strong emphasis on health and wellness initiatives for its customers,” added Shelton. “We have several key features to assist our customers who are looking for more nutritional food choices. For example, Food Lion’s Guiding Stars program is a simple nutritional navigation system that illustrates the nutrition of food products through a visual display of one, two or three stars that signify good, better or best nutritional value.”

The new Food Lion will also offer an expanded selection of Butcher’s Brand Premium Beef® and a Nature’s Place section that features natural and organic products. The store will offer increased specialty and international items and a customer-service area providing customers Western Union services, Rug Doctor, ATM services, Blue Rhino propane tank exchange, Coinstar, Money Orders and Lottery sales.

Food Lion customers can find their store’s specials online by visiting www.FoodLion.com and clicking on weekly specials.

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

Food Lion to Open New Store in Shallotte, N.C.

5/19/2009

Grand Opening set for Wednesday, May 13; Creating 30 local jobs

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion is set to unveil its new store located at 301 South Willis Drive in Shallotte, N.C., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, May 13 at 7:45 a.m. The first 200 customers to enter the store will receive a free reusable bag filled with private label products.

Mayor Gerald Long is scheduled to attend the ribbon-cutting, and the West Brunswick High School Jazz Bank will perform. The store will also host a 90-second shopping spree, which will take place from 4 to 6 p.m. at the store. Customers can register for the shopping spree from 4 -5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

The 34,928 square foot store in Shallotte will feature a large fresh produce department and a deli/bakery with in-store decorated cakes, specialty meats, cheeses and breads, as well as a large meat department featuring Butcher’s Brand Premium Beef ®, fresh pork, poultry and seafood. Customers will also enjoy an expanded ethnic section, as well as an expanded variety of wines. The new store also offers Western Union services, Rug Doctor rentals, Blue Rhino propane exchange, ATM, Coinstar machine and lottery. The store will have approximately 60 associates, with about 30 positions being created for the new store.

Tammy Worthington, a native of Henderson, N.C., will be the Store Manager. She has been a Store Manager with Food Lion for six years and is proud to bring a new Food Lion to the community.

“We’re excited to bring the fresh new look of Food Lion to this community,” said Worthington. “We are eager to unveil our new look to the Shallotte community and bring an expanded product selection, continuing our strong focus on delivering quality products at great prices, and excellent customer service.

The new store will be open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. It will be an offset to the Food Lion on Main Street, which will close on May 12.

Contact: Jennifer Speck (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2118

Food Lion Monitors Swine Flu Outbreak

4/29/2009

Company prepared to respond quickly to protect customer and associates

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion wants to assure its customers that the company is closely monitoring the swine flu outbreak in Mexico and the United States. The company is taking appropriate precautions to protect customers and associates.

Food Lion reminds customers that the swine flu is not a food safety issue since the swine flu is not transmitted via food. As noted by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), all pork and poultry products are safe to eat. The government will continue to work with food suppliers to monitor the nation’s food supply system to ensure the safety of food products in the United States. As always, Food Lion encourages customers to follow safe meat handling procedures and cooking processes, including cooking pork at temperatures of 160 degrees or higher.

Food Lion will continue to monitor the situation to make sure the company is fully prepared to protect and support our customers and associates. Food Lion fully understands the critical service it provides to the communities it serves and will be prepared to continue to serve customers throughout this event.

Contact: Christy Phillips-Brown (704) 633-8250, Ext.2221

Food Lion Raising Money to Support Myrtle Beach Community

4/27/2009

Food Lion continues to partner with the American Red Cross to assist those affected by the wildfires

SALISBURY, N.C. — Beginning Saturday, April 25 through Saturday, May 9, Food Lion will be collecting donations for the Coastal South Carolina chapter of the American Red Cross to aid those affected by the ongoing wildfires.

Customers will be able to donate any amount at the register of 21 local Food Lion stores. All donations will go directly to the American Red Cross following the fundraiser.

Yesterday, the Food Lions located at 3890 South Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach and 2290 Highway 501 East in Conway, S.C., provided supplies for as many as 600 sandwiches, as well as beverages and snacks to feed the firefighters battling the wildfires.

“We are all affected by these devastating wildfires,” said Joe Stock, director of Operations for the region. “We want the residents of our community to know that we support them and we’re extremely proud to be able to assist them during this difficult time.”

For more than 50 years, Food Lion LLC has served as a caring neighbor and strong corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates. Through corporate and foundation giving, campaigns carried out by its more than 1,300 stores, local programs and individual associate involvement, Food Lion LLC supports communities and numerous nonprofit organizations. In 2008, Food Lion LLC donated more than 21 million pounds of food and gave more than $5.2 million through foundation and community giving.

Contact: Jennifer Speck (704) 633-8250, Ext. 2118

Food Lion Helps Provide Lunch for Myrtle Beach Firefighters

4/27/2009

Food Lion partners with American Red Cross to aide the firefighters working against wildfires.

SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has partnered with the American Red Cross to provide lunch for the firefighters working against this week’s wildfires in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

This afternoon, the Food Lion located at 3890 South Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach provided enough sandwich meat, cheese, condiments and bread to make as many as 600 sandwiches. They also provided 10 cases of soda, 20 cases of water and several cases of Gatorade, as well as bags of chips, fruit, vegetable trays and other snacks to the American Red Cross, which took the items to assemble lunch for firefighters.

“Food Lion is more than just a grocery store,” said Joel Smith, district manager for the Myrtle Beach area. “We’re a part of this community and we have all been deeply affected by these wildfires. We’re proud to be able to help our firefighters who are doing their very best to keep our community safe.”

For more than 50 years, Food Lion LLC has served as a caring neighbor and strong corporate citizen in the communities in which it operates. Through corporate and foundation giving, campaigns carried out by its more than 1,300 stores, local programs and individual employee involvement, Food Lion LLC supports communities and numerous non-profit organizations. In 2008, Food Lion LLC donated more than 21 million pounds of food and gave more than $5.2 million through foundation and community giving.

Contact: Jennifer Speck (704) 633-8250, Ext.2118

Pedigree® Food for Dogs, Food Lion Serving Up a Yapping Good Time at ‘Bark in the Park

4/24/2009

Food Lion will provide free dog biscuits, soft chews and chances at a gift basket

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The 2009 Pedigree® Brand Bark in the Park Festival, presented by Food Lion, promises to be a yapping good time for pet owners and their furry friends. Close to 15,000 people and 5,000 dogs joined the fun last year. This year, organizers expect even more people and pets to attend the April 25 event, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Rd. in Charlotte.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Pedigree® Brand and Food Lion this year,” said Brian Gott, Mecklenburg County’s resource development coordinator. “This is one of the biggest events in the region for people and their dogs, and we literally might not have been able to do the event this year without our corporate partners.”

The festival is a signature event of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department to promote the county’s five off-leash dog parks and gives many organizations the chance to bring out dogs available for adoption. Admission and parking are free.

“We can’t be more pleased at how Food Lion, Pedigree® Brand and the dog-loving community are supporting this event,” said Gott.

Food Lion will feature a booth where attendees can register to win a gift basket designed for their favorite pooch and pick up dog biscuits and soft chew treats.

“Food Lion is pleased to present Bark in the Park this year,” said Jimmy Faller, Food Lion LLC category manager. “Pets help enrich life and are important members of the family. We understand this at Food Lion and are involved in various ways to show our support for efforts that positively impact our community.”

“We are proud to host an event that shares our love for dogs,” said Mars Petcare Account Rep Bill Burns. “As a company committed to helping to find homes for the more than four million dogs that end up in shelter and breed rescues across the U.S., the Pedigree® brand established a national awareness and fundraising campaign to support this cause. We encourage our partners and community to join us by adopting, volunteering or donating to The PEDIGREE Foundation.”

The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department has a number of fun things planned for folks and their best friends, including a Pooch Parade, Top Dog Photo Contest, Pet/Owner Look-a-Like contest, Best Bark, Best Costume, Largest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Trick and more. Competitions are also free and open to everyone. Check the Park and Recreation Department Web Site for specific times at Bark In The Park.

About PEDIGREE®
PEDIGREE® is the number one brand of dog food in the world, offering a wide variety of products for different dog life stages. As an innovative market leader, PEDIGREE is at the forefront of pet nutrition and understands pet owner needs by providing a range of innovative products and resources.

About The PEDIGREE Foundation
The PEDIGREE Foundation is newly-established 501(c)(3) private foundation dedicated to helping dogs in need find loving homes by supporting the good work of shelters and breed rescue organizations throughout the country. Make a tax-deductible donation online or to apply for a grant, log onto www.PedigreeFoundation.org. All donations go directly to help us help dogs.

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

Celebrate Earth Day with Food Lion

4/23/2009

Customers receive free Food Lion reusable bag with purchase of select products

SALISBURY, N.C. — In celebration of Earth Day, Food Lion is featuring in-store displays with earth-friendly products. Customers can also receive Food Lion’s free Home & Earth brochure. The brochure is also available at www.foodlion.com/Health-Wellness/Home-Earth/.

With a focus of a “healthier planet begins at home,” the brochure features food safety tips, a Healthy Home scorecard, ideas for going green and coupons for eco-friendly products.

Customers can also purchase any Clorox GreenWorks cleaning products, Scott’s Naturals paper products or Brita products and receive a free Food Lion reusable bag while supplies last. The new bag is water-resistant and approximately 35 percent larger than Food Lion’s original reusable bag. It can carry up to 50 percent more weight and has longer handles, making it easier to carry on the shoulder. The new bag also contains two inner pockets for carrying large beverage bottles. Featuring a nature-inspired theme, the new bags will also be available for purchase at 99 cents each.

“Food Lion has always strived to be a good corporate citizen in the communities it serves,” said Ken Mills, vice president of Sales & Marketing. “This year, we launched a new health and wellness program under the theme ‘Your Store for Life,’ which promotes well-being for our customers, our associates, the community and the environment. We want to be more than a grocery store offering quality products at great prices. We want to support the health of our customers, our associates, our communities and our planet, and serve as a trusted and caring neighbor both now and in the future.”

Food Lion, which launched its original reusable bag on Earth Day 2008, is dedicated to a number of sustainability initiatives, including ENERGY STAR, GreenChill and recycling. Through energy-saving efforts, Food Lion has reduced its energy level corporatewide. As a result, it is as if 481 of Food Lion’s 1,300 stores use no energy at all. Food Lion was one of the EPA’s first ENERGY STAR partners more than a decade ago and today, with 816 certified stores, owns more than half of all ENERGY STAR-certified grocery stores in the United States. Food Lion also works to pursue technologies that reduce the use of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gas refrigerants.

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