Food Lion freshening up its produce offerings

Looking for crunchier lettuce or fewer brown bananas? Tired of cutting into avocados and finding them brown? Salisbury-based Food Lion is undertaking a major effort to ensure its produce is fresh, as well as expanding its selection, the company said Tuesday.

"We have made a new commitment to fresh produce," said Cathy Green Burns, Food Lion's president, in a statement. "We heard from our customers that they wanted fresher produce for their families. Today, we are taking additional steps to continually improve the quality and freshness of produce, and offer a wider selection."

The initiative is starting at 581 of Food Lion's stores, including those in and around Charlotte. The company expects to expand it next year.

Food Lion said the new program is a complete overhaul of its produce practices. The company is purchasing better produce, changing temperatures produce is stored at, and reducing the amount of time produce spends in distribution centers. Warehouse, transportation and in-store produce associates have had new training in better handling practices to improve produce freshness, the company said.

Food Lion is also adding more produce items, the company said, and starting a customer education program with tip cards on storing fresh produce. In-store signage in what the company calls its new "market" produce section includes tips such as storing potatoes in a perforated plastic bag in a cool, dark place to maintain freshness.

The grocer is also offering a double-money back guarantee on any produce customers are dissatisfied with.

Food Lion is owned by the Belgian supermarket conglomerate Delhaize, and the company operates 1,100 locations.