Hannaford Supermarkets celebrates launch of 200th school-based food pantry for students during time of increased need
Sep. 16, 2025
Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program has invested more than $1.6 million to help expand access to fresh, nutritious food for students across New England and New York
Details:
SCARBOROUGH, Maine – As students return to the classroom, Hannaford Supermarkets is celebrating a major milestone for its Fuel Kids at School program: 200 school-based food pantries established for students in need.
Since 2019, Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program has invested more than $1.6 million to help launch and support pantries throughout New England and New York. Through partnerships with school districts, food banks and hunger relief organizations, the program has helped expand food access for students at all grades levels from preschool through college.
“At Hannaford, we’re deeply committed to doing our part to help kids, families and communities thrive,” said Mike Vail, President of Hannaford Supermarkets. “School pantries play a vital role in ensuring students have access to the nourishing food they need, so they can focus on learning and reaching their full potential. Through continued investments in our Fuel Kids at School initiative and the incredible work of our community partners, we’re proud to support the growth and success of future generations.”
Hannaford marked the milestone with a grand opening event for a new pantry at Portland High School in Portland, Maine. Hannaford donated $10,000 to the school to fully renovate the space, purchase refrigeration and storage and stock the shelves with fresh, nutritious food options for students.
The opening of the new Portland High School pantry comes as schools across the district and the surrounding region report a rising number of students facing food insecurity. According to Good Shepherd Food Bank, more than 23,000 Maine families received food through school-based hunger relief programs in 2024—more than double the 11,000 families in 2023. School leaders in Portland anticipate the new pantry will serve as many as 500 10-12th grade students each month.
“The Portland Public Schools appreciates this generous gift from Hannaford,” said Ryan Scallon, Superintendent of Portland Public Schools. “This initiative to ensure students have access to nourishing food supports the Whole Child priority in our strategic plan, which commits us to working to make sure all students have what they need to engage in school and graduate prepared and empowered."
In New York, Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program has played a pivotal role in expanding access to nutritious food for students in the Troy City School District. The district’s first school-based pantry was established at Troy High School in 2019 with the launch of Fuel Kids at School in partnership with Regional Food Bank. Building on that success, Hannaford recently supported the opening of another pantry at Troy Community School in 2024 to serve 7-12th grade students. These projects have since become a model for other school districts in surrounding communities.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Hannaford's Fuel Kids at School program over the last several years,” said John Carmello, Superintendent of Troy City School District. “Their grant enabled us to create and stock school pantries where students have access to the nutritious food they need in order to be ready to learn.”
For more information about Hannaford’s Fuel Kids at School program, visit Hannaford.com/HannafordHelps.
About Hannaford Supermarkets
Hannaford Supermarkets is a leading regional grocer operating 188 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Since 1883, Hannaford has been dedicated to delivering fresh, high-quality food with care, while creating “more good” in its communities. Guided by its purpose to cultivate thriving communities, Hannaford continues to build on its commitment to uncommon care by supporting local community partners, being the most welcoming place to work and shop, and taking thoughtful steps to protect the planet for future generations. In 2024, Hannaford donated more than 27.6 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations and supported approximately 135 community partners across its footprint, helping expand access to fresh food, advance youth development, and support healthier lives. Headquartered in Scarborough, Maine, with stores in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.
Media Contacts:
Caitlin Cortelyou
External Communications Manager, Hannaford Supermarkets
caitlin.cortelyou@hannaford.com
Zach Blanchard
External Communications Specialist, Hannaford Supermarkets