SALISBURY, N.C. — This fall, Food Lion is slated to be presented with the Department of Defense’s 2010 Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for outstanding support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

This fall, Food Lion is slated to be presented with the Department of Defense’s 2010 Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for outstanding support of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

Food Lion was the only supermarket chain nationwide to receive the award out of the 15 employers selected, according to the company.

The Freedom Award will be presented to Food Lion at formal ceremony on Sept. 23 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. Food Lion president Cathy Green will accept the award on behalf of the company.

Almost 2,500 National Guard and Reserve members, or their family members, from across the country nominated employers. Steve Boos, a store manager from New Bern, N.C., nominated Food Lion.

The food and drug retailer said the government selected it for the recognition because of the many ways that it supports employees and their families who serve in the Guard and the Reserve.

"Food Lion is proud to support its military associates who serve as members of the Guard and Reserve to protect the freedom we enjoy everyday," stated Eric Watson, vice president of diversity and inclusion for Delhaize America, Food Lion’s parent. "We recognize our employees for going beyond the call of duty serving both our country and company."

Food Lion said it supports military employees through providing numerous benefits policies, adopting colleague families who have been called into active duty, donating food and volunteering during community military events, and establishing a Veteran’s and Military Business Resource Group.