SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion is unveiling remodeled stores in the Norfolk, Va., market on August 29.

In addition to the store upgrades, the retailer has hired an additional 4,000 associates and is donating two food trucks to local food banks, an extension of the company’s longstanding commitment to helping feed the neediest residents in the communities in which it operates.

“Food Lion has nourished the greater Norfolk community for nearly 40 years, and we’re excited to bring these improvements to our 105 local stores,” said Meg Ham, president of Food Lion. “We’ve created a new grocery shopping experience through the significant investments in our stores, customers, associates and communities. From our expanded variety and product assortment, newly reorganized stores, new signage to a more efficient check-out experience, every change we’ve made will make it easier for our customers to find fresh, quality products at affordable prices every day. And true to our heritage, we always offer everyday low prices along with weekly sales and promotions, making it easier for you to nourish your family on a budget. We invite our customers to come and experience the fresh, new changes at your neighborhood Food Lion.”

Ribbon-cutting events are scheduled at each store at 7:45 a.m. on August 29. The stores will open at 8 a.m. Each of the first 100 customers in line will receive a free tote bag and a gift card valued at between $10 and $200.

Once inside, shoppers will begin to notice the changes, which include:

• New signage and groupings of like products that make it easier to locate items faster.
• A more efficient checkout process.
• Improved quality and freshness of products.
• Low prices on thousands of items across all departments.
• Expanded variety and assortment, with selections relevant to customers in each store. Among the choices are local produce in Food Lion’s “Local Goodness” section, an expanded variety of craft beers, limited reserve wines, gluten-free offerings and more natural, organic items.
• An abundant selection of fresh produce and meat backed by Food Lion’s double-your-money-back guarantee and a larger selection of Nature’s Place beef, salads, fruit and other items.
• Hand-battered chicken as well as a greater selection of easy and affordable complete meals and a wider variety of grab-and-go items and pre-sliced deli meats and cheeses, which are sliced fresh daily and available for customers to pick up without waiting in line.

A dozen of the remodeled outlets will also feature walk-in garden coolers designed to keep produce fresher longer, the company said.

Additionally, six stores now have expanded deli departments that offer items such as handmade artisan pizza and premium coffee.

More than 40 of the Norfolk-area stores now include a wing bar assortment for customers looking for hot, quick meal solutions, Food Lion said in a statement.

“We not only invested in our stores, we also invested in promoting great associates and hiring promising new talent,” Ham said. “It’s also why, as part of our grand re-opening celebrations, we’re partnering with the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank to help end hunger in the towns and cities we serve. Giving back to our communities is something we’re just as passionate about as serving our customers every day in our stores.”

Food Lion began remodeling its stores in 2015 and has now remodeled 649 of its 1,030 outlets in order to create a better shopping experience for customers.

The company said it is spending $168 million on the Norfolk-area upgrades, a sum that includes contributions that will go toward the acquisition of food trucks that represent the latest addition to its Food Lion Feeds initiative. The company is partnering with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore and the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank in acquiring the mobile pantries.

“Food Lion has been a longstanding partner of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore, and we are grateful to be part of their efforts to expand their hunger relief philanthropic platform in our region,” said Ruth Jones Nichols, president and chief executive officer of the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. “Their donation of $125,000 will allow us to purchase a new refrigerated truck to help sustain our Mobile Pantry and Food Rescue Programs — aimed at ensuring food insecure families in our community have access to healthy protein, fruits, and vegetables.”

These donations are part of Food Lion’s commitment to provide 500 million meals to individuals and families in need by the end of 2020 through Food Lion Feeds, the company said.

“Food Lion has consistently been right by our side in our mission to distribute healthy meals to our neighbors in need throughout the years,” said Karen Joyner, chief executive officer of the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank. “The purchase of this truck will enable us to bring more nutrient-rich food into our facility and transport it back out into our community so that families will have nourishing meals for their kitchen tables. Food Lion remains not only our top food donor, but also a truly valued partner, always finding ways to provide meaningful support to us that makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the people we serve. We cherish this relationship.”