“It’s essential we provide children with the right tools to develop healthy habits at an early age,” said Mike Vail, Brand President of Hannaford. “We’re incredibly proud to support these meaningful programs, which will create positive, lasting impact on the lives of children in our communities. By investing in the next generation today, we’re establishing the foundation for thriving communities tomorrow.” 

Tackling childhood obesity

In the U.S., a significant amount of children aged 2-19 are considered to have obesity – highlighting a growing need to address the potential long-term impacts of obesity on the physical health of children. The funding from Hannaford will not only support greater access to healthy food but also improve nutrition education resources for children – ultimately fostering a healthier future for the entire family. 

Supporting local communities with purpose

The funding will go towards programs that help children eat healthier and stay active, with the goal of reducing risk of chronic diseases. The donations will be distributed to various initiatives across the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts in the U.S., including:

·  Full Plates Full Potential, which will use the grant to help schools adhere to new federal guidelines by feeding children fresh, made-from-scratch meals. This will ensure that children are consuming more nutritious foods and fewer heavily processed ingredients every day. "With this funding, we have the opportunity to help schools provide fresh, locally sourced meals to our students, and we're proud to work alongside Hannaford to end childhood food insecurity in Maine once and for all,” said Justin Strasburger, Executive Director of Full Plates Full Potential.

·  Community Servings, which will use the grant to expand its Food is Medicine Nutrition Program, providing made-from-scratch and medically tailored meals to children and families. “With Hannaford's support over the next two years, we will expand our Food is Medicine Nutrition Program. Together, we’re advancing the health of children experiencing nutrition insecurity and critical illness,” said David B. Waters, CEO of Community Servings.

In addition to the $1.3 million investment, Hannaford will provide a total of $60,000 in gift cards to community partners. The partners can use the gift cards to purchase healthy snacks, such as Hannaford Snack Pals, for children, further supporting their shared mission to enhance nutrition and well-being in the community. 

To learn more about Hannaford’s community health initiatives, visit: Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps

January 20, 2025 – Ahold Delhaize is proud to announce that the Top Employer Institute (TEI) has recognized both the company and the majority of its great local brands as Top Employers in 2025. This certification recognizes organizations that are dedicated to cultivating great places to work through excellent Human Resources policies and people practices. 

The Top Employer certification highlights Ahold Delhaize’s progress in its Thriving People strategic priority, part of its broader Growing Together strategy, which drives the company’s aspiration to be the leading (#1 or #2) employer of choice in each market. TEI has assessed our brands’ policies and unique practices, which may differ from one another. The recognition celebrates efforts to foster a caring, purpose-driven environment where the brands’ employees are valued, inspired, and empowered to grow and collaborate.  

In 2025, Ahold Delhaize Group and all of its U.S. brands – including ADUSA – achieved the Top Employer certification, alongside several European brands such as Mega Image (Romania), Maxi (Serbia), Alfa Beta (Greece), and Albert (Czechia). The assessment, based on TEI’s HR Best Practices Survey, evaluates organizations based on several areas, including people strategy, work environment, talent acquisition, learning, diversity, equity & inclusion, and well-being. 

“We are a people business. Receiving this certification is positive confirmation that our HR strategy is driving meaningful progress across all these areas,” says Natalia Wallenberg, CHRO of Ahold Delhaize. “It's testament to the  efforts of teams in the local brands and Ahold Delhaize Group, recognizing initiatives that prioritize connection with our purpose, collaboration and well-being, while supporting our brands’ communities. “It also proves that Ahold Delhaize is staying true to its promise: to create a supportive workplace that encourages growth and teamwork, where everyone feels heard, valued, and finds purpose in serving our communities.”  

As food retailers, each of our U.S. brands celebrate Hispanic American’s incredible culinary traditions and continues to work with suppliers to offer customers authentic products from all over Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and South and Central America. This month is also a time to reflect on the important role Hispanic Americans play within each of our Ahold Delhaize U.S. brands and the communities each of them serves.   

We recently spoke with Rosa Santiago, who works as Service Leader at Hannaford’s Waltham, Massachusetts store. When this native Puerto Rican is not leading her in-store team, she teaches English as a second language to other store associates and community members. Her warmth and desire to give back makes a huge difference for everyone she comes into contact with, leading coworkers to think of her as the “mom” of their work family. Rosa tells us what National Hispanic Heritage Month means to her, and how the Hannaford team lives out its values.  

“To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means a lot. It is celebrating our roots. Involving others in our culture and learning from them. It’s also an honor to be recognized for what we are and where we come from.” Rosa believes that Hannaford can support and engage with the Hispanic community throughout the year by modeling an inclusive family. “To me, the most important part is that Hannaford becomes a family. It is open to our cultural ideas and necessities. I’ve been very fortunate to end up in a company that really cares about people and about family.”  

Rosa was inspired to teach English to her colleagues and the store’s customers by seeing the difficulties others in her community have experienced coming to this country. She said she gets the most satisfaction from sharing what she’s learned to help others take advantage of the same opportunities she gained when coming to the United States. “I make all this happen by offering my time and what I know to make it happen for them.” 

Rosa sees supplier diversity as a way to share her culture with others – something she finds incredibly important. “I’m very fortunate to be part of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month and sharing my ideas of the culture. I love being part of the key to the celebration.” For Rosa, it all comes back to family, learning about each other and respecting each other’s heritage – and that’s how she believes we can mark Hispanic Heritage month in a meaningful and inclusive way: “Involving everyone and making them part of my culture. Sharing respect and dignity for their culture. Everyone together becomes one whole culture and one whole family.”  

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The Planet Hannaford branding builds on the tagline “Local Actions. Greener Future.” This speaks to the sometimes-daunting question of how people can make a big impact on a small level by reinforcing the message that what people do as part of a community adds up to a better, greener future. Planet Hannaford will come to life for customers throughout the month of April in a variety of ways, including in-store collateral; ads in Fresh magazine and the weekly flyer; and online at Hannaford.com and on the retailer’s social media channels. This initiative invites shoppers to take part in everyday decisions that are better for themselves and the planet – such as using reusable bags, shopping local and in-season, and following the “reduce, reuse and compost” model for waste reduction. 

“Planet Hannaford meets customers where they are on their sustainability journey by letting them know that shopping at Hannaford is an easy way to support environmental sustainability, which is an increasingly high priority for our customers,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Healthy Living and Sustainability Marketing Manager Sue Till. “Planet Hannaford is an extension of our commitment to building a better, greener future for the communities we serve.”  

The launch of Planet Hannaford builds on earlier milestones the grocer has been able to make in the space of sustainability. In 2021, Hannaford became the first large-scale grocery retailer in its marketplace to achieve zero food waste-to-landfill by donating or diverting all food at risk of going to waste, while in 2022, Hannaford announced its commitment to have all stores be powered by renewable energy by 2024, making the retailer the first large-scale supermarket business to present such an ambitious timetable for this goal.  

This further illustrates Hannaford’s commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment.  

For more information about Hannaford’s sustainability commitment and programs, visit Hannaford.com/Sustainability. 

Since its introduction in 2002, the Hannaford registered dietitian program has become a mainstay for shoppers both in-store and online. The program, which provides free nutrition education from Hannaford’s roster of registered dietitians, helps shoppers identify nutritious meal ideas and learn about shopping strategies for eating healthy on a budget or for specific dietary needs, such as heart disease or diabetes. 

The program has grown significantly since its launch two decades ago, when it became one of the first programs of its kind to be offered by a large-scale supermarket retailer in the Northeast. Beginning with four dietitians in a handful of stores, Hannaford shoppers now have access to free nutrition education from more than 30 dietitians in over 50 stores across New England and New York. 

“Making it easier for our communities to learn about the benefits of incorporating healthy, fresh foods into their lives has always been important to Hannaford,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Healthy Living Manager Sue Till. “Our registered dietitian program is an important resource for customers seeking to improve their health and wellness. We are tremendously proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of this program and look forward to continuing to enhance the free nutrition resources we provide to our customers in the years to come.”  

Hannaford registered dietitians lead more than 1,000 in-store classes, tours and online seminars per year focused on a variety of topics, including heart-healthy eating, shopping using the Guiding Stars nutrition navigation system, meal planning made easy, and nutrition for kids. Additionally, the dietitians support 200 community events each year by providing nutrition education at schools, libraries and health care facilities. The program has supported more than 200,000 shoppers to date in 2022.   

While the size and scope of the program has evolved over the years, one element has remained the same: Registered Dietitian Marilyn Mills, who has served New Hampshire customers for the program’s full 20-year duration.  

“Being a supermarket dietitian allows me to support my community, whether it be an aisle walk with a family seeking lower sugar cereal, or in a virtual class teaching attendees about shopping on a budget,” said Mills, who was the first dietitian hired when Hannaford launched the program. “During my day, shoppers will stop and seek my knowledge to support a new need, such as a change in their health and diet, or a desire to learn more about a new seasoning or cooking method. I feel like I’m giving back to my community as it grows and changes.” 

Hannaford Registered Dietitian Program By the Numbers 

• Hannaford registered dietitians are available in-person at more than 50 Hannaford stores throughout five states. 
• Hannaford has hosted more than 550 free online nutrition classes in 2022.  
• Hannaford customers enjoy approximately 600 complimentary in-store classes and store tours each year.  
• Hannaford registered dietitians provide nutrition education at more than 200 community events annually.  

For more information about the Hannaford Registered Dietitian program, visit www.Hannaford.com/Dietitians.  

This year, Hannaford is once again supporting more than 10 Pride events across its Northeast market area which includes Portland, Maine; Albany, New York; Burlington, Vermont; and Bangor, Maine. The brand expects hundreds of retail associates to join these events where all associates will represent Hannaford with this year's LOVE t-shirt featuring its signature rainbow design and Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index logo. In fact, Hannaford has received a 100% score for the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for eleven years in a row. 

Further to Hannaford’s support of Pride events, the brand is making more internal efforts to support its LGBTQ+ and ally associates – including support for chosen pronouns on name tags and the new simple process to make a name change in their HR and payroll systems. Hannaford and its product partners are also donating over $75,000 to LGBTQ+ organizations in its local communities and the business is spotlighting Peanut Butter & Co. and Love Good Fats, which are both majority-owned by LGBTQ+ individuals. It’s also working to bring more diverse-owned businesses and suppliers to its stores.  

Last and certainly not least, five inspiring Hannaford associates from the LGBTQ+ community, shared their own personal stories of working at Hannaford. These videos which proudly represent pride, dignity, authenticity, courage and acceptance, truly speak for themselves and represent why Hannaford is an employer of choice for the LGBTQ+ community.

Check out each of these videos by Angel Weiderman, Patrick Perkins, Jessica Cuchi, Fitzgerald Taylor, and Jodie-Lynne Devine.  
 

Ahold Delhaize and our great local brands are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion with ongoing efforts to create a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. It is a topic that is part of the Ahold Delhaize DNA and comes to life in our values of courage, integrity, and care.  

Hannaford 
Hannaford supports young people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis by encouraging independent living and job readiness skills. In order to provide a real-life experience in grocery shopping, Hannaford Supermarkets donated grocery shelving and a checkout station, complete with conveyor belt and bagging area to the Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Glickman Lauder Center of Excellence in Autism and Developmental Disorders (GLCOE).  

The dedicated grocery training area is a 28,000 square foot innovative facility that opened in August 2021. In addition to outpatient treatment for all ages, the center includes a life-skills room with a grocery shopping station as well as special chairs for practice with getting haircuts, dental care and health care. 

“These are more than just nice activities – if a person is unable to do these things it can result in serious problems, such as feeling overwhelmed in the grocery checkout line, a dentist’s chair, or in a doctor’s office.  We are thrilled to have this resource to provide practice in these key life experiences,” said Dr. Matthew Siegel, vice president of medical affairs for autism and developmental disorders 

“Going to the grocery store is being part of the community, so we are proud to partner with the Glickman Lauder Center (GLCOE) in helping neurodiverse members of our community develop new skills related to the shopping experience,” said Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesman. “We are so thankful for the work being done at the Center every day to help people with autism and developmental disorders lead full, rich lives.” 

Hannaford also supports associate initiatives such as Chris Heel's annual autism fundraiser. Chris started a 5K walk to benefit the Autism Society of Maine (ASM) when he was high school student. What started off as a senior year project has now turned into an annual event on Mount Desert Island. Since Chris started his "senior project", he has raised over $30,000 to help support nonprofits including the ASM. 
 

Stop & Shop  
Stop & Shop honored Autism Awareness Month and promoted acceptance for the condition that occurs in one out of every 44 children in the U.S. SVP Human Resources, Maria Silvestri, wrote a personal message to associates, sharing some of her experience as a grandmother of a neurodiverse child who is living with an Autism Spectrum Diagnosis, and invited associates to virtual events during the month, presented by the United Nations and the NIH (National Institute of Mental Health), and the OARC (Office of Autism Research Coordination), to increase their own awareness, acceptance and inclusion. 
 

Mega Image 
The Urban Garden project, developed by CONIL Before & After-school Center for children living with autism, is supported by Mega Image through their “Project of Today for Tomorrow” 2021 program. On April 5, children living with a disability had the opportunity to plant flowers, vegetables and fruits in an urban garden with the help of teachers and Mega Image representatives. The objective is to support and promote healthy eating for children, and to also provide learning and recreative activities in a therapeutic way. 

As Diversity Month is recognized during May in Europe, Mega Image will also raise awareness of diversity and inclusion via its strong involvement in a number of initiatives. This includes helping displaced Ukrainian people integrate into life in Romania by welcoming them into Mega Image’s community and providing employment opportunities in its warehouses, headquarters or 900+ stores. Moreover, associates are offered the opportunity to support social causes, through Mega Image’s internal volunteering program, 12 Acts of kindness. 

Mega Image will also continue its online series of events, Community Talks, with a new edition focused on “Pandemic vs War: The impact of social context on women”. Ileana Alexandru, HR VP; representatives of She is Mom digital platform; and a psychologist will discuss the topic. Furthermore, Mega Image will support the Lead Network community by joining its “Breaking the Biases” event, where Ileana Alexandru, HR VP, will join as a guest speaker. 

The Giant Company  
As part of Diversity Month in the U.S. The GIANT Company honored Autism acceptance by focusing on their commitment to building a culture of acceptance and inclusion. This month and every month, The GIANT Company strives to break down all physical, intellectual, and sensory barriers so that all people, including individuals with autism, can reach their fullest potential, regardless of their unique strengths and challenges. 

Throughout April, team members were encouraged to wear Autism Acceptance pins provided by The GIANT Company to foster inclusion and were also encouraged to wear blue on World Autism Awareness Day. Stories and experiences of team members with autism were also shared throughout the month and vendor partner Popcorn for the People was recognized for its efforts to create meaningful employment for individuals with Autism and other spectrum diagnoses. The GIANT Company’s DE&I Team and BARRIER FREE Business Resource Group also hosted a virtual event for team members called “From Awareness to Acceptance” to build a better understanding and embrace everyone's differences. 

Additionally, The GIANT Company also supported community events with the shared vision of celebrating diversity, building equity and promoting inclusion, including the local YWCA Race Against Racism and 21-Day Racial Equity and Social Justice Challenge, Race for Resources for Autism Cares Foundation of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, the Kinney Walk/Run for Autism, and an Autism Awareness Luncheon in Philadelphia.   

Giant Food 
Giant Food recognizes and celebrates neurodiversity in various ways, and it is committed to breaking down barriers to allow all people to succeed. Below are just some examples on how Giant Food is committed to this. 

Giant Food stores partner with their local schools to provide “on-the-job” experience with the assistance of a job coach to students with disabilities. Students are hired and paid for several hours each week learning general tasks that help them build customer service and teamwork skills that are useful for any future career of their choice. Through these programs Giant Food has hired many associates with disabilities, creating a better diverse and inclusive company culture.  

For many years, Giant Food has been a sponsor of the Quality Trust for Individuals with Disabilities. This is an independent, non-profit advocacy organization focused on improving the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families in the District of Columbia and beyond. In 2021, Giant Food sponsored the Quality Trust “Back Together Luncheon,” an opportunity for their staff, supporters, and stakeholders and specifically the people with developmental disabilities they support; who have said they are experiencing depression as they have had to isolate for over a year and a half and want to be with people. 

During Autism Acceptance month throughout April, Giant Food associates also showed their support and acceptance of the Autism community by wearing red while working in stores, distribution centers, delivery centers and the office.

Delhaize Serbia  
Honoring Diversity Month, Delhaize Serbia is spotlighting its collaboration with the Creative and Educational Center (CEC), an organization focused on the inclusion of persons living with a mental or intellectual disability through a range of programs, initiatives and partnerships. These initiatives allow people living with a neurodiverse diagnosis to improve their quality of life, provide preparation for an independent life, social inclusion, future employment, as well as raising awareness to the general population and breaking prejudice.  

One of the most successful initiatives between CEC and Delhaize Serbia is its work-ready program. Participants of the program learn about store processes and gain experience across the stores in Belgrade, three times a week for one hour. This program has been successful not just for enhancing inclusion, but for also building awareness and a better understanding of neurodiverse diagnoses among associates and customers. This year, the program will be renewed for a 10th time and soon a new group of participants will take part in the program across Delhaize Serbia stores. 

The initiative, which is being introduced during Pride Month, arose from conversations with both associates and customers and via feedback from an associate engagement survey. The survey’s findings showed that gender identity is an important aspect of one’s lived experience and that recognizing and honoring gender identity is important to creating and nurturing safe and inclusive environments.

“Our world is changing,” said Hannaford Supermarkets President Mike Vail. “More and more, transgender and gender diverse people are having the courage to be themselves and share their identity. They are able to do so, in part, because of the safe spaces in which they live and work and from the support they receive from the people around them. I want Hannaford to be one of those safe spaces, and I am proud of our gender diverse associates and the bravery they demonstrate to live their fullest lives.” 

In addition to providing an outlet for associates to voluntarily express their gender identity, the name tags offer an opportunity for allies to show their support of the LGBTQ+ community. Associates will also have the option to add their veteran status or spoken languages to their name badges. Resources will be available to associates to help them understand more about gender identity and expression. 

Hannaford is offering associates a number of opportunities to celebrate Pride Month this June, including Pride-colored wristbands; Pride-designed cakes; and video selfies speaking to the importance of embracing gender diversity and inclusiveness at work. Hannaford and its partners will also donate more than $75,000 to LGBTQ+ community organizations that support Pride celebrations and initiatives.