SALISBURY, N.C., May 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Food Lion's parent company, Delhaize Group, has released its 2014 sustainability progress report, which can be found at https://www.foodlion.com/about-us/sustainability. Key 2014 Food Lion sustainability highlights from the report include:


    --  Food Lion piloted a zero waste program to accelerate waste reduction in
        its stores. The company launched 50 stores in 2014 and plans to have
        nearly 200 stores on the program by the end of 2015. Through this
        program, waste is diverted from landfills and more materials are
        recycled, local food donations are increased and food that is not
        donated is provided for composting, or other recycling methods. For
        example, in the pilot store, the company reduced monthly dumpsters to
        landfills from 24 to four and increased fresh food donations to local
        feeding agencies by nearly 2,400 pounds.
    --  The sustainability of Food Lion's private brand products were improved,
        including more than 50 percent of the products having nutritional
        information on the front of the package, 35 percent of the products
        having at least one Guiding Star, the company's nutritional labeling
        system, and strong progress toward using 100 percent traceable,
        deforestation-free palm oil in private brand products.
    --  Food Lion unveiled its industry-leading sustainable seafood policy,
        which covers more than 1,000 fresh, frozen, canned and packaged seafood
        products sold throughout the store.
    --  Food Lion launched Food Lion Feeds, its community relations platform
        focused on helping to eliminate hunger in our local communities. 
        Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has committed to provide 500
        million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020. 
        In 2014 alone, the company donated nearly 62 million meals and is on
        track to donate another 75 million meals in 2015.

"Food Lion has a strong commitment to sustainability in all that we do," said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. "As part of our parent company's ambition to be SuperGood, or a sustainability leader in our local markets by 2020, I'm incredibly proud of the work Food Lion has done, and will continue to do, to be a leader in the 10 states in which we operate."

"As one of the nation's largest grocers, Food Lion has certified more stores through Energy Star in its history than any other supermarket retailer. In addition, we have recycled nearly 120,000 tons of plastic, paper and cardboard from our stores in partnership with our customers, and we took a great step in giving back to our communities through our Food Lion Feeds program announced last year," added Ham. "While this is great progress toward becoming SuperGood, we know there is much more we can do, and we are eager to continue delivering on our Sustainability 2020 goals to help ensure our communities are sustainable for many years to come."

The full report, along with the company's Sustainability 2020 goals, can be found at www.delhaizegroup.com. The report provides in-depth information about the company's sustainability progress and 2020 plans such as advancing sustainable private brand products, waste reduction, healthier lifestyles and associate diversity.

About Food Lion
 Food Lion, based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, has more than 1,100 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states and employs more than 63,000 associates. By leveraging its longstanding heritage of low prices and convenient locations, Food Lion is working to own the easiest full shop grocery experience in the Southeast, anchored by a strong commitment to affordability, freshness and the communities it serves. Through Food Lion Feeds, the company has committed to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020. Food Lion is a company of Delhaize America, the U.S. division of Brussels-based Delhaize Group (NYSE: DEG). For more information, visit www.foodlion.com.

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SOURCE Food Lion