Food Lion’s Sustainable Leadership Receives National Recognition; Matt Yates Details
SALISBURY, NC - Food Lion is celebrating some exciting operational achievements as the company earns yet another ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. For the 23rd consecutive year, the retail chain has received this distinctive honor, demonstrating its outstanding leadership and advocacy of energy preservation to promote a cleaner future.
“We created our commitment to sustainability around immense care for the towns and cities we serve and an energy-efficient future,” said Matt Yates, Vice President, Brand Strategy, Food Lion. “By including the disciplines embedded in our DNA to turn the lights off when leaving a room and making sure freezer doors close completely not only establish good business practices, but also a solid framework to deepen our commitment to sustainability.”
The omnichannel grocery retailer is the only company in the nation to receive the distinctive honor for 23 years, a press release explained. Recognized for its dedicated sustainability efforts and successes in energy conservation, Food Lion has made several strides in sustainability over the past year.
In 2023, the company converted overhead lighting from fluorescent to LED in 224 stores; Now, 95 percent of Food Lion’s 1,108 stores have more sustainable lighting with upgrades planned in 2024 for the remaining locations. In fact, the grocer increased its allocation of funds for overhead LED lighting installation projects in stores by more than 13 percent in 2023 compared to the previous year, the release noted.
Additionally, Food Lion’s reduction in energy usage since 2000 is equivalent to the CO2 emissions of 123,114 homes’ electricity use for one year.
Through the ENERGY STAR recognitions, collaborative efforts are gathered on a large scale in the fight against climate change and safeguarding public health. More than 900 of Food Lion’s total 1,108 stores are ENERGY STAR certified, conserving energy and resources by generating fewer gas emissions than typical buildings.
To dive deeper into the chain’s sustainability strategies, click here.
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