SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion has added 50 stores to its Food Lion To-Go grocery pickup program, which allows customers to order and pick up groceries in as little as an hour.

Ribbon-cutting ceremonies on October 14 marked the introduction of the service at stores in Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. First-time pickups were offered for free. Subsequent orders carry fees, which vary depending on the order total and pickup time. Food Lion said the service delivers on its promise to ensure an easy, fresh and affordable grocery shopping experience.

“With the Food Lion To-Go service, our associates become personal shoppers and are able to hand pick the freshest produce and best cuts of meat, just as they would for their own family,” said Deborah Sabo, senior vice president of marketing at Food Lion. “We are so excited to expand this convenient service to more stores in the Food Lion ­footprint.”