Food Lion given top freedom award

Salisbury, N.C. New Bern, N.C.-based grocer Food Lion has been awarded the 2010 Employer Support Freedom Award by the Department of Defense, the highest recognition given by the U.S. government to employers for outstanding support of their employees who serve in the Guard and Reserve.

Food Lion, nominated by Guard or Reserve members or their family members, was the only grocery store chain nationwide awarded.

Food Lion supports military employees through providing numerous benefits policies, adopting colleague families who have been called into active duty, donating food and volunteering during community military events, and establishing a Veteran's and Military Business Resource Group.