Food Lion Feeds, CIAA fight college food insecurity

The effort is a response to ensuring college food pantries are stocked with shelf-stable food, increasing access to nutritional food and ensuring all students have an equitable chance at success in college. The initiative aligns with the 2024 Food Lion CIAA Basketball Tournament, which took place Feb. 26-March 2 in Baltimore.

According to a report published in November 2023 by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, college students experience food insecurity at higher rates than the general population, with estimates putting students between 33-51% food insecure compared to nearly 10% among U.S. adults.

Food Lion is celebrating 30 years of partnership with the CIAA, providing opportunities for students and student-athletes. Claflin University is a member of the CIAA.

“At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” said Kevin Durkee, manager, Food Lion Feeds, Food Lion. “That’s why we’re passionate about helping end hunger in our communities. We are humbled to support our CIAA schools by helping provide products for their student food pantries, increasing access to nutritious food and setting students up for success.”

By partnering with the CIAA, the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, Food Lion reinforces its longstanding commitment and leadership in setting up students for success at HBCUs. In addition to providing shelf-stable products such as breakfast bars, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables and water, Food Lion associates volunteered to stock the pantry shelves.

Since the partnership began 30 years ago, Food Lion has donated more than $7.5 million in scholarships to CIAA schools. Food Lion Feeds has provided funding for campus food pantries with grants totaling more than $200,000, helping stock food pantries and nutrition lounges at the schools and in the communities.           

Food Lion is an omnichannel retailer committed to nourishing its neighbors during the moments that matter most. More than 82,000 associates across 1,100+ stores deliver an easy, fresh and affordable shopping experience throughout 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states.

Through Food Lion Feeds, the retailer has donated more than 1 billion meals to individuals and families since 2014 and has committed to donate 1.5 billion meals by 2025.

Founded and based in Salisbury, N.C., since 1957, Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, the U.S. division of Zaandam-based Ahold Delhaize.

For more information, visit foodlion.com.