After investing $50 million in the project, Food Lion is unveiling remodeled stores in Wilmington, North Carolina, that feature an improved shopping experience, according to the retailer. Tomorrow, Food Lion will hold ribbon-cutting events in the Wilmington area at 24 stores, with five more to follow.
The investment includes remodeling the stores, providing ecommerce at every store through pickup and/or home delivery options, training and developing associates to provide the best customer experience, and giving back to local communities.
All stores now feature self-checkout lanes and are refreshed with new décor reflecting an enhanced shopping experience, according to the company.
Store upgrades include a specific focus on a variety of affordable and easy meal solutions that are ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, or ready-to-heat. More healthy options are also available, including an increased selection of organic, gluten-free, and plant-based items. Through its Local Goodness program, Food Lion stores also offer products sourced from local growers or manufacturers.
Enhanced stores feature energy-efficient overhead LED lighting and refrigerated cases with doors. These solutions reduce energy costs, helping reduce Food Lion’s environmental footprint.
Working in partnership to help address food insecurity, Food Lion has also contributed $500,000 through its philanthropic arm, Food Lion Feeds, to support the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington. The investment supports the 3,000-square-foot commercial kitchen, the first operated by the nonprofit organization.
“With the cost of so many of the things we buy every day increasing, we need the support from our retail donors. Food Lion has been an incredible partner to food banks across their footprint,” said Beth Gaglione, branch director for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina at Wilmington, in a statement. “The Food Bank has been able to build a state-of-the-art new facility in Wilmington with an amazing commercial kitchen thanks to Food Lion Feeds. Now we need to fill it with nutritious, healthy food to meet the need of our community. We know we can count on our friends at Food Lion.”
In addition to expanded meal production, the community kitchen will offer an opportunity for culinary arts workforce development. Food Lion Feeds also provided another $32,500 to support 13 partner feeding agencies with the purchase of refrigerators and freezers.
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