Last updated on June 13th, 2024
In celebration of Earth Day, Food Lion announced the company’s progress in environmental sustainability efforts.
Among its accomplishments, Food Lion saved more than 825.5 million kilowatt-hours of energy since 2000. That is equivalent to powering 66,340 homes for one year.
In 2018, Food Lion recycled 8,862 tons of food into animal feed, 126,915 tons of office paper and 5,932 tons of plastic bags and other in-store plastics.
Food Lion became the first retailer 20 years ago to introduce a food rescue program so that food could be given to local food banks and agencies. All food is safe to eat. In 2018, through Food Lion Feeds, the company donated fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy products and shelf-stable food throughout the year to help end hunger in the communities the grocery store chain serves. The company donated 88 million pounds of food.
Food Lion is one of a few grocers that has an industry-leading sustainable seafood policy covering more than 2,500 fresh, frozen, canned or packaged products sold across the store. Sustainable seafood means products are traceable back to the original source fishery or farm.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recognized Food Lion last week with its 18th consecutive Energy Star award for its continued leadership in protecting our environment through superior energy efficiency. Food Lion is the only grocery retailer to receive the award for 18 years straight years.
Since beginning a partnership with the EPA and Energy Star in 2001, Food Lion’s energy reductions are equivalent to powering 92,082 homes for one year. One of Food Lion’s energy-saving techniques includes a store retrofit program where LED lighting is installed to replace fluorescent lights inside the store. By the end of the year, almost half of Food Lion stores will have LED lights installed.
Based in Salisbury, North Carolina, Food Lion has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 63,000 associates. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam, Netherlands-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group.
