At a time when student food insecurity is on the rise, Hannaford Supermarkets recently marked the opening of its 200th school-based food pantry.
Hannaford donated $10,000 to renovate the space at Portland High School in Maine, add refrigeration and storage and stock it with fresh food for students. School leaders estimate the pantry could serve as many as 500 students in 10th-12th grades each month.
Since launching in 2019, the grocer’s Fuel Kids at School initiative has invested more than $1.6 million to establish and support pantries across New England and New York in partnership with school districts, food banks and hunger-relief organizations. The program now provides consistent access to fresh, nutritious food for students from preschool through college.
“School pantries play a vital role in ensuring students have access to the nourishing food they need, so they can focus on learning and reaching their full potential,” said Mike Vail, president of Hannaford.
“Through continued investments in our Fuel Kids at School initiative and the incredible work of our community partners, we’re proud to support the growth and success of future generations.”
The opening comes amid rising demand. According to Good Shepherd Food Bank, more than 23,000 Maine families accessed school-based hunger relief programs in 2024 – up from 11,000 in 2023.
“The Portland Public Schools appreciates this generous gift from Hannaford,” said Superintendent Ryan Scallon. “This initiative to ensure students have access to nourishing food supports the Whole Child priority in our strategic plan, which commits us to working to make sure all students have what they need to engage in school and graduate prepared and empowered.”
The program also has made an impact in New York’s Troy City School District. The first pantry there opened in 2019 at Troy High School with support from Hannaford and the Regional Food Bank, and a second pantry launched in 2024 at Troy Community School. The grocer said both serve as models for neighboring districts.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program over the last several years,” said Troy City School District Superintendent John Carmello. “Their grant enabled us to create and stock school pantries where students have access to the nutritious food they need in order to be ready to learn.”
For more information about Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program, visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Founded in 1883, Hannaford Supermarkets operates 188 stores with nearly 30,000 employees across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont, most with full-service pharmacies.
In 2024, Hannaford donated more than 27.6 million pounds of food to hunger-relief organizations and supported about 135 community partners.
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