BY DEBBIE PAGE

The parking lot for the new 36,000-square-foot Food Lion off U.S. Highway 21 in Troutman was overflowing at 7:45 a.m. on Wednesday, illustrating the community’s excitement about this new grocery option.

After the South Iredell High School MJROTC presented the colors and led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, store manager Eric Bell noted Food Lion’s 30 year presence in Troutman.

“At Food Lion we are passionate about many things, serving our community being one of the top. We offer an affordable shopping experience, a clean shopping experience, one where you can come in and feel like you are a part of our family,” he said.

One of the company’s missions is to help provide sustainable food sources for those who might struggle at times to put food on the table. Bell said the company has partnered with FeedNC and H.E.L.P. Ministries of Troutman in their efforts to help local residents.

Bell announced they were presenting 25,000 meals to each of those organizations to celebrate the store’s opening. Karen Tuttle accepted a check on behalf of FeedNC, and Donna Lambert received the contribution for H.E.L.P. Ministries.

Bell said some folks waiting in line to shop also received stickers which represent an additional 10 meals each for these organizations.

FeedNC will regularly collect food rescued from the store to distribute to neighbors experiencing hunger. Donating this unsaleable but edible food that might otherwise go to waste gives neighbors greater access to nutritious food.

Bell welcomed and thanked local dignitaries, including Troutman Mayor Teross Young, council members Paul Henkel, Eddie Nau, Nick Jaroszynski, and Felina Harris, Town Manager Ron Wyatt, Police Chief Josh Watson, and Parks and Recreation Director Emily Watson, for their support.

Mayor Young commented that there are “not too many opportunities where two passions get to come together. One is my town, and I am thrilled to have so many people here today to witness a second store.”

“As the mayor of Troutman, I don’t think I’ve had more questions than ‘When are we going to get another store?’ It’s really a blessing, and I’m thrilled to have the Food Lion family here to share in making that 1,110 stores for Food Lion.”

Young, who has worked with the Food Lion team since 1993, is currently vice president of government affairs for Ahold Delhaize USA, which owns the food chain.

“It’s wonderful to have this store in my community,” he said.

He also thanked the company for its ongoing efforts to help feed those in need of food assistance.

Wyatt reminisced about his days as a bagger for Food Town, the precursor of Food Lion.

“Food Lion invested in Troutman because of its mantra — ‘Hometown people – hometown food.’ They have been an instrumental part of our Troutman community since they arrived.”

“This store fits our growing community and what people are asking for.”

Wyatt also shared that the Food Lion on Main Street was the 2023 Troutman Organization of the Year.

Bell thanked everyone for being there as well as the many who worked with “joy and happiness” to make this new location possible.

Ninety-two year old Ann Sims, a former Troutman Citizen of the Year and grandmother of Food Lion Director of Operations Kathryn Sowers, cut the ribbon for the new store. Sims has lived in Troutman since the 1960s and served as the town clerk for 25 years.

After the ceremony, the first 100 customers in line received a mystery gift card valued up to $200 and a free reusable shopping bag as they entered the store.

The store will employ 80 and offers offers a greater assortment of products and an enhanced shopping experience, with a focus on meals that are ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, or ready-to-heat.

Additionally, the store has a walk-in garden cooler, in-store prepared cut fruit, freshly made sushi, and a self-service wing and hot favorites bar.

Food Lion also focuses on regional items sourced from local growers or manufacturers to provide optimal nutrition and freshness for the community.

The new store, which is located at 155 Crosstie Lane next to Iredell Charter Academy of Arts & Science, will be open daily from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.

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