As food insecurity continues to challenge families across the Northeast, Hannaford Supermarkets says it has expanded its community support systems, headlined by a record-breaking 29 million pounds of food diverted from waste to local dinner tables this past year.
The retailer’s 2025 Community Impact Report shows a shift toward deeper, more strategic regional investments, moving beyond traditional charitable giving to provide $1.3 million for child wellness and $1.5 million for local education. By leveraging a network of 450 hunger-relief organizations and 1,000 local vendors, the Scarborough-based company says it is increasingly positioning its 189 stores as essential infrastructure for regional stability in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont.
The 2025 report showcases how Hannaford is moving beyond traditional retail to serve as a cornerstone of community health and sustainability.
“At Hannaford, we believe strongly in the power of doing good in the communities we serve,” says Ericka Dodge Katz, director of external communications and community impact for Hannaford Supermarkets. “This is especially felt in our approach to addressing food insecurity, which is grounded in robust local partnerships and shaped by associates who understand the needs of the communities they call home. Whether it’s supporting the work of local nonprofits or making daily donations to ensure families have access to healthy food, we’re proud to support initiatives that are making a meaningful impact every day.”
2025 Impact Highlights
- Combating hunger: Through the Fresh Rescue program, Hannaford donated 29 million pounds of fresh, nutritious food — a 15% increase since 2022. This effort supported more than 450 local food pantries and hunger-relief organizations.
- Direct financial investment: Hannaford provided $400,000 in direct support to regional food banks and saw the Hannaford Charitable Foundation invest $1.16 million into nine strategic organizations focusing on food access, health and education.
- Empowering youth: The Eat Well, Be Well initiative contributed $1.3 million toward child health and wellness, while the Hannaford Helps Schools program donated $1.5 million to more than 1,700 schools across the Northeast.
- Investing in local: Hannaford continues to champion regional economies, sourcing 8,000 store items from over 1,000 local vendors, including more than 125 local farmers.
- Environmental leadership: The report reaffirms Hannaford’s status as a sustainability leader, maintaining zero food waste-to-landfill and progressing toward its goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.
A Culture of Care
Beyond external donations, the report underscores Hannaford’s commitment to its 28,000-plus associates. In 2025, the retailer focused on expanded development opportunities and community-centered initiatives, ensuring that the people who serve the community are equally supported.
This dedication to transparency and impact earned Hannaford the PRNews Platinum Award for CSR, ESG or DEI Report for its 2024 edition, setting a high bar for the 2025 release.
“Our approach to addressing food insecurity is grounded in robust local partnerships and shaped by associates who understand the needs of the communities they call home,” Dodge Katz says.
