Hannaford invests $1.5M in 'person-centered care'

With grocery prices hitting another 43-year high in August, Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford and the Hannaford Charitable Foundation this week launched $1.5 million in donations for its “Eat Well, Be Well–A Path to Better Health” initiative for under-resourced individuals and families in New England and New York.

"At Hannaford, we have long believed that healthy, fresh food is a critical ingredient to ensuring the vitality of our communities," said Hannaford Charitable Foundation Board Chair Peter Forester, who also serves as SVP of merchandising for the grocery retailer, in a statement. "Healthy meal programs break down the barriers that many individuals face in regularly accessing the wholesome, nutritious meals that their bodies and minds need. We look forward to seeing these programs grow and become an integral part of person-centered care in the years to come."

A total of five non-profit organizations in New England and New York will receive funding to host programs promoting healthy, fresh food tailored to the specific needs of an individual’s health conditions, the grocer said. Nutrition education will also be available to program participants to further their health and wellness goals.

Data collected through the Hannaford-funded projects will be used to enable healthy meal programs within each partner organization, Hannaford said in a statement.

Earlier this year, Hannaford unveiled plans to be fully powered by renewable energy by 2024—a commitment that is part of the Northeast supermarket’s sustainability strategy.

"Doing what’s right for our business includes doing what’s right for our associates, community and our planet. Powering Hannaford with 100% renewable energy sources will make an immediate, positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions," said Mike Vail, president of Hannaford Supermarkets, in a statement. "This is an important leap forward in our sustainability journey—and one that we hope sparks others to join. Prioritizing the health of our communities and the planet is a win for us all."