Food Lion’s Local Goodness Program Aids Not Only in Taste but Savings Too

If you think small and local is out, then I am here to introduce you to Chris Dove, Food Lion’s VP of produce category and merchandising, who ensures Food Lion’s shoppers enjoy the taste of home all while supporting the grocer’s local communities. Food Lion, Ahold Delhaize’s Salisbury, N.C.-based banner, continues to be the company’s strongest U.S. performer and Food Lion’s Local Goodness program is aiding the company’s success. Dove spoke with Winsight Grocery Business for a deeper dive into Food Lion’s Local Goodness program.

Diane Adam: Food Lion, Ahold Delhaize’s Salisbury, N.C.-based banner, continues to be the company’s strongest U.S. performer. Tell us why Food Lion’s Local Goodness program is important towards the company’s success?

Chris Dove: At Food Lion, enjoying a taste of home and supporting our local communities is important. We source locally whenever we can to bring our neighbors the freshest local flavors available. When customers shop with us, they’ll see local products throughout our store for breakfast, lunch, dinner and the many moments in between. From sauces and drinks to produce, meat and seafood, we offer a fresh, easy and affordable shopping experience.

With food-at-home inflation hitting 12.2%, shoppers are challenged with a shrinking basket size. How will Food Lion’s Local Goodness program benefit shoppers when it comes to wallet spend?

We pride ourselves on ensuring that our customers have access to fresh and healthy produce without putting a strain on their wallets. At a time when families may be having to cut back, buying healthy fruits and vegetables should not be a concern. Food Lion’s Local Goodness program provides our customers with high-quality local items and does so at an affordable price.  

Research suggests that eating locally grown foods has many benefits for the consumer, grower and the community. Within the grocery space, will locally grown products expand as supply chain issues continue?

Our goal is to always be able to provide our customers with access to healthy, affordable produce and our Local Goodness program allows for that. We work closely with our local suppliers to source local produce directly from the towns and cities we serve. We are constantly evaluating our local program looking for opportunities to expand our offering of produce to our customers and the communities we serve. Local Goodness allows us to source our products locally, earning savings that we can pass on to our customers. As supply chain issues continue, making the journey from farm to table shorter will help mitigate the cost inflation we’re seeing regarding transportation expenses.

Looking to make locally sourced, healthy foods accessible to customers is growing in grocery. What makes Food Lion’s Local Goodness program unique?

Food Lion has been providing fresh and affordable local produce to the communities we serve for over 60 years. Our selection of Local Goodness products offers a wide range of items unique to the towns and cities our customers call home. By enjoying local flavors and products, our customers can support neighbors near them and learn more about the area they live in. Shopping local makes it easy to connect with your community.