The supermarket chain’s efforts have earned the company the designation of “Preferred Employer,” given by Employer Support of Guard and Reserve, a voluntary branch of the US Department of Defense. The preferred employer title signifies that Food Lion provides benefits to full-time, active-duty employees beyond what the federal government requires.
Besides benefits it normally extends full-time employees called to active military duty, Food Lion will provide differential pay for the first 90 days of duty. Food Lion currently has 121 employees on active military duty in the reserves or National Guard.
To further support spouses and families of US troops who live in its operating area, Food Lion will conduct a fund-raising effort called Operation Family Support. Through a partnership with the American Red Cross, Food Lion will raise and provide money to give $50 Food Lion gift cards to military families.
Food Lion LLC is a subsidiary of Delhaize America, the US division of Brussels, Belgium-based Delhaize Group. It operates 1,190 stores and employs 84,000 associates in 11 Southeast and Mid-Atlantic states.
