Pictured in photo from left to right: Chris Foster, Chief Development Officer, Vermont Foodbank; Nicole Whalen, Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Vermont Foodbank; Brian Fabre, Community Relations Specialist, Hannaford Supermarkets; Tom Abbiati, Director of Food Resources, Vermont Foodbank

BARRE, V.T. – Hannaford Supermarkets today donated 1,012 cases of food to the Vermont Foodbank as part of a hunger relief campaign that produced more than $1.3 million in product and cash donations across five Northeast states, including $135,500 in Vermont.

Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger took place in December 2016 and included a you-buy-one, we-give-one component whereby Hannaford pledged to donate identical products when customers purchased specific shelf-stable items. The food donated Thursday included 315 cases of sweet corn; 98 cases of sweet peas; 361 cases of green beans; 76 cases of spaghetti; 111 cases of peanut butter; and 51 cases of oats.

The cases combined total more than 22,000 units of food donated to the Vermont Foodbank as a result of the Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger campaign.

“Hannaford Supermarkets is committed to working throughout the year with local food pantries and food banks to ensure all those who are at risk of going hungry have access to the nutritious food they need,” said Hannaford Supermarkets Community Relations Specialist Brian Fabre.  “We are proud that this donation of 1,012 cases of food will provide thousands of meals to those who are struggling financially in Vermont.”

“We are incredibly grateful for our partnership with Hannaford Supermarkets,” said John Sayles, CEO of the Vermont Foodbank. “With 1 in 4 Vermonters turning to the Vermont Foodbank for food assistance, it is critical to have committed partners like them. Hannaford is a leader, setting a compelling example of how businesses can leverage their resources to be a key part of solving hunger.”

The Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger campaign took place during the 2016 holiday season and had three parts:

• Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger Boxes: Customers purchased boxes of food staples for $10 and chose whether to have the box delivered to the local pantry or donated it personally.
• Register Donation: Customers donated money to their state food bank, in $5 increments, at the register.
• Buy One, Give One: Hannaford donated specific products identical to those items purchased by customers during a four-week period.

The annual Hannaford Helps Fight Hunger holiday program has raised more than $7.8 million in food and cash since it began in 2008.