Food Lion Surprises Charlotte, N.C., Neighborhood with Free Store Brand Groceries

On Oct. 13, Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion Food Lion said it surprised a neighborhood in Charlotte, N.C., with free store brand groceries through its “Operation Grocery Drop” program. Residents living in the Plaza-Midwood community awoke that morning to find free My Essentials groceries delivered to their doorsteps.

Consumers nominated their neighborhoods for the surprise via Food Lion’s Facebook page between Sept. 10 and 28, with Plaza-Midwood resident Salem MacKnee submitting the winning entry.

“My neighbors were delighted — just thrilled down to their boots!” MacKnee said.

According to Food Lion, MacKnee and her neighbors had the opportunity to select among a variety of household staples to fill their pantries. During the course of the morning, the retailer gave away approximately 2,000 My Essentials products.

In addition, Food Lion said it plans to donate $20,000 to local non-profit organizations as part of Operation Grocery Drop. Three agencies — North Carolina Heroes’ Fund, Project L.I.F.T. and Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina — will compete via an online voting contest.

Through Oct. 30, consumers may vote for their favorite charity via a special tab on the Food Lion Facebook page, the retailer said. The agency with the most votes will receive the “lion’s share” — or largest portion — of the $20,000 donation.