GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General has reached a milestone in the addition of fresh fruits and vegetables to its stores. More than 5,000 of its locations now carry a produce assortment that includes tomatoes, onions, apples, strawberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, lemons, limes and salad mixes.

Dollar General said it now offers produce in more locations than any other U.S. mass retailer or grocer. Each of the 5,000 stores carries the top 20 items sold in traditional grocery stores, representing about 80% of the produce categories typically offered by grocers.

“We are constantly looking for ways to better serve our customers, and one of our top priorities is to ensure the communities we call home have access to fresh, affordable and convenient food options,” according to Emily Taylor, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Dollar General. “We’re proud to leverage our footprint to meet the need for healthy food options in more communities than any other retailer across the U.S.”

About 80% of Dollar General’s more than 19,700 locations are in communities with 20,000 or fewer residents, the company said, and the residents often rely on the company for everyday essentials such as milk, eggs, bread, cheese, and frozen and canned vegetables.

Dollar General also noted that it has invested in a partnership with Shelf Engine, a provider of technology that helps retailers improve perishable food forecasting and ordering.

The partnership should allow Dollar General to automate the ordering process while providing customers with the freshest food possible, the company pointed out.

Additionally, the company noted that it partners with local and national nonprofits, including food banks, to help alleviate food insecurity.

Dollar General said its operational partnership with Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, provides in-kind food donations from stores and distribution centers with a goal to contribute up to 20 million meals each year.

To date, Dollar General said it has donated more than 23 million meals and over $3 million to Feeding America.