SALISBURY, NC — Food Lion Feeds has launched its annual Gala Apple Bag campaign, inviting customers across its 10-state footprint to help fight food insecurity by purchasing specially marked apple bags or making donations at checkout from September 17 through October 7.
The program, first introduced in 2014, has already generated the equivalent of more than 40 million meals through the generosity of Food Lion shoppers. Each bag sold contributes $0.50—equal to five meals—to the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation, which distributes grants to local hunger relief organizations. A minimum donation of $200,000, or 2 million meals, is guaranteed during this year’s campaign.
“This campaign is about neighbors helping neighbors,” said Kevin Durkee, Manager of Food Lion Feeds. “Each Gala apple bag purchased, and every dollar donated at the register adds up to nourishing meals for families. We are proud to not only partner with our valued customers but community organizations to help fight hunger in the towns and cities we serve.”
The campaign comes at a critical time: according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 6.8 million U.S. households experienced very low food security in 2023, meaning families sometimes skipped meals or cut portions due to lack of resources.
Shoppers can support the campaign in-store or online via Food Lion To Go by purchasing a Gala Apple Bag, rounding up purchases, or donating a specific amount through checkout keypads. All proceeds will fund community hunger relief efforts, building on Food Lion’s broader commitment to donate 3 billion meals by 2032.
Since its founding in 2014, Food Lion Feeds has provided more than 1.5 billion meals through food donations, volunteerism, and partnerships with community organizations.
For more information on Food Lion Feeds and its hunger relief efforts, visit foodlion.com/feeds.
