Food Lion is debuting its renovated Roanoke, Va.-area stores on Oct. 10, following a $91.7 million capital investment in the 63 locations. In addition to remodeling the stores, the banner has hired nearly 2,000 additional associates and is donating two mobile food trucks to local food banks.

“Roanoke is very special to Food Lion,” said Meg Ham, president of Salisbury, N.C.-based company. “We’ve been part of the fabric of this community for 40 years, opening our first store in Martinsville, Va. A lot has changed since we opened our first store in this market. We’ve created a new grocery shopping experience through the significant investments in our stores, customers, associates and communities. From our expanded variety and product assortment, newly reorganized stores, new signage, to a more efficient checkout experience, every change we’ve made will make it easier for our customers to find fresh, quality products at affordable prices every day.”

Changes to the stores include:

Greater variety and assortment across departments relevant to customers in each store, such as more locally produced items in the Local Goodness section, a larger variety of craft beer, limited reserve wines, and more natural, organic and gluten-free items

A huge selection of fresh produce and meat backed by Food Lion's double-your-money-back guarantee, and a selection of Nature's Place beef and other items

Select stores will also offer hand-battered chicken, in-store cut fruit and vegetables;

A greater selection of affordable complete meals for families, and a wider assortment of grab-and-go items and pre-sliced deli meats and cheeses

New signage and groupings of similar products, making it easier to locate items faster;

A more efficient checkout process, making it easier for shoppers to get in and out

Enhanced product quality and freshness throughout the store

Low prices on thousands of items across all departments

13 of the stores now feature walk-in garden coolers designed to keep produce fresher longer, and 12 now include a wing bar assortment

Each store will simultaneously open to the public at 8 a.m. on Oct. 10, following a 7:45 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony. As part of the celebration, the first 100 customers in line will get a free thermal tote bag and mystery gift card worth between $10 and $250. At 5 p.m., the first 100 customers will receive a free Food Lion branded bamboo cutting board.

With the completion of the Roanoke market, Food Lion has overhauled 712 of its 1,030 stores in the past four years, as part of an ongoing initiative. The supermarket chain’s last set of renovations was of 105 stores in the greater Norfolk, Va., area this past August.

Food Lion has more than 1,000 stores in 10 Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic states, employing more than 63,000 associates. Food Lion is a company of Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Zaandam, The Netherlands-based Royal Ahold Delhaize Group. Ahold Delhaize USA is No. 4 on Progressive Grocer’s 2018 Super 50 list of the top grocers in the United States.