Submitted

SALISBURY — According to a report published in November 2023 by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation, college students experience food insecurity at higher rates than the general population, with estimates putting students between 33-51 percent food insecure compared to nearly 10 percent among U.S. adults. 

As part of its ongoing efforts to address food insecurity in its 10-state operating area, including among college students, Food Lion Feeds is helping provide nonperishable food to eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are part of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA).

That includes four schools in North Carolina:

• Johnson C. Smith University (Charlotte)
• Livingstone College (Salisbury)
• Winston-Salem State University
• Fayetteville State University

This initiative aligns with the Baltimore CIAA Basketball Tournament, of which Food Lion is the title sponsor, and these efforts will help ensure that CIAA food pantries are stocked with shelf-stable food, increasing access to nutritional food and ensuring all students have an equitable chance at success in college.

The effort is a response to ensuring college food pantries are stocked with shelf-stable food, increasing access to nutritional food and ensuring all students have an equitable chance at success in college. The initiative aligns with the 2024 Food Lion CIAA Basketball Tournament, taking place Feb. 26-March 2 in Baltimore. Food Lion is celebrating 30 years of partnership with the CIAA, providing opportunities for students and student-athletes. 

“At Food Lion, we believe no one should have to choose between dinner and rent or gas and groceries,” said Kevin Durkee, manager of Food Lion Feeds. “That’s why we’re passionate about helping end hunger in our communities. We are humbled to support our CIAA schools by helping provide products for their student food pantries, increasing access to nutritious food and setting students up for success.” 

By partnering with the CIAA, the nation’s oldest historically Black athletic conference, Food Lion reinforces its longstanding commitment and leadership in setting up students for success at HBCUs. In addition to providing shelf-stable products such as breakfast bars, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, jelly, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables and water, Food Lion associates volunteered to stock the pantry shelves.

Since the partnership began 30 years ago, Food Lion has donated more than $7.5 million in scholarships to CIAA schools. Food Lion Feeds has provided funding for campus food pantries with grants totaling more than $200,000, helping stock food pantries and nutrition lounges at the schools and in the communities.