Hannaford invests $850,000 to expand college food access

SCARBOROUGH, Maine — Hannaford Supermarkets is investing more than $850,000 in college food access programs expected to reach up to 60 campuses across the Northeast.

The funding, provided through Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School initiative, will go to colleges, university foundations and community organizations serving students in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The grants will support campus food pantries and related infrastructure, including expanded refrigeration and storage, food lockers, mobile distribution programs and pantry renovations.

The investment will help colleges and community organizations strengthen campus food infrastructure, including expanded refrigeration and pantry storage, food lockers that allow students to pick up food on more flexible schedules, mobile distribution programs and pantry renovations.

“For students pursuing a college degree, access to nutritious food shouldn’t stand in the way of their success,” said Sara Olson, community impact manager at Hannaford Supermarkets. “By investing in the infrastructure behind these programs, Hannaford is helping to expand food access and ensure students and communities thrive.”

Hannaford cited research estimating that 41% of college students experience food insecurity, which can affect students’ health, academic performance and ability to complete their education.

In Maine, the funding will support food access initiatives at all seven community colleges, as well as programs at the University of Southern Maine, University of Maine at Augusta and University of Maine at Fort Kent. Projects include additional cold storage and pantry capacity, refrigerated transportation, food lockers and a virtual food pantry pilot to reach students beyond traditional campus settings.

Funding will also support the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s Campus Pantry Program, which works with colleges and universities to provide food to students and strengthen campus pantry operations.

Grants in New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Vermont will support new and expanded pantry spaces, refrigeration and freezer capacity, food lockers, distribution programs and greater access to fresh and perishable foods.

The investment builds on Hannaford’s broader efforts to address food insecurity. Since 2019, its Fuel Kids at School program has opened more than 200 school-based food pantries serving students from elementary school through college across New England and New York.

Hannaford operates 188 stores across Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The grocer said it donated nearly 29 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations in 2025.