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Food Lion has announced more than 380 associates are celebrating 30-50 years of service this year. Among them are two long-term associates from stores in the Oakboro/Albemarle area.
On April 10, associates were honored during an annual event where the retailer shares appreciation and gratitude for those celebrating a service milestone, presenting associates with the Years of Service Award. These individuals bring Food Lion’s brand, strategy and culture to life and have served their towns and cities for 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years.
At the event, each associate’s name, position, location and service milestone were read aloud and celebrated.
Collectively, their tenure is more than 13,000 years.
“No matter how much Food Lion has grown and evolved, our associates have consistently brought our brand, strategy and culture to life,” said Meg Ham, president, Food Lion. “Associates dedicated to serving customers and supporting neighbors in our towns and cities truly set our brand apart. Our associates make Food Lion what it is today and I am honored to celebrate service milestones with this year’s honorees.”
Food Lion employs 82,000 associates at more than 1,100 stores across 10 states.
The following local associates were recognized:
• Susan Painther, a pricing coordinator in Oakboro, for 35 years of service; and
• Leigh Blalock, a receiver in Albemarle, for 40 years of service.