Food Lion Feeds achieves donation goal of 1.5 billion meals to local communities

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) - Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform, has achieved its goal of providing 1.5 billion meals to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves across its 10-state footprint.

Founded in 2014, Food Lion Feeds was created to reduce food insecurity in the towns and cities Food Lion serves and committed to donating 500 million meals by 2020.

After reaching its goal 18 months early, the organization set a new goal of providing 1 billion more meals by the end of 2025.

Due to pin pad donations, customer support, and in-store retail campaigns, the organization reached its goal 10 months early.

Additionally, Food Lion Feeds and the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation donated more than $4 million in the last four years toward disaster relief during hurricanes and other emergencies. These efforts accelerated the support for families in need and early achievement of the milestone.

Food Lion Feed’s new goal will double its efforts to date and provide 3 billion meals by 2032.

The organization also plans to expand its work with sustainable solutions for future generations including:

culinary skills training
workforce development
teaching gardens
nutrition education
empowering neighbors to grow their own food
helping them achieve self-reliance
break the cycle of food insecurity.

These initiatives collectively address food insecurity and foster long-term solutions for healthier, more resilient communities, per the release.

Additionally, the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation will donate $1 million, equivalent to 10 million meals, through its upcoming spring grants, kicking off the renewed efforts.

Meg Ham, the President of Food Lion said Food Lion believes no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries

“We are honored to support the towns and cities we serve in meaningful ways. We appreciate the support of our customers, associates, feeding partners, and vendors in helping us provide 1.5 billion meals to those who are food insecure,” Ham said in a release. “While this milestone is significant, our work is not done and we are committed to further nourishing our neighbors to help set them up for success in life.”

For more information on Food Lion Feeds’ commitment to ending hunger, visit //foodlion.com/feeds.