Hannaford Supermarkets earns top score for LGBTQ+ workplace equality for 12th consecutive year

For Immediate Release

December 4, 2023

 

Hannaford Supermarkets earns top score for LGBTQ+ workplace equality for 12th consecutive year

 

Hannaford is the only supermarket in its marketplace to receive top marks on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Corporate Equality Index for 2023-24

 

SCARBOROUGH, Maine – For the 12th consecutive year, Hannaford Supermarkets received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s (HRC) Corporate Equality Index (CEI), the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

 

Hannaford is the only supermarket in its market area to receive a top score. Hannaford operates 187 stores in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York.

 

“Hannaford is committed to creating an environment that reflects the communities we serve and where people feel welcome, supported and entirely comfortable being their authentic selves,” said Tony Giampetruzzi, Head of DEI for Hannaford Supermarkets. “We take incredible pride in knowing that upon seeing the HRC designation in our store windows, our LGBTQ+ associates and customers will know that they truly belong at Hannaford.”

 

Hannaford’s efforts to provide an inclusive, equitable and non-discriminatory work environment for the LGBTQ+ community satisfied all CEI’s criteria to earn a score of 100 and the designation as recipient of the Equality 100 Award: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion. Hannaford is one of 545 major U.S. businesses to earn top marks this year.

 

The CEI rates companies on detailed criteria falling under four central pillars:

 

Hannafordis committed to investing in its associates by offering inclusive benefits and policies that enhance well-being, including many benefits relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, such as medical, dental and vision coverage available to same-sex spouses and domestic partnerships, as well as paid parental leave, fertility and adoption assistance for associates of all genders and gender identities.

 

Hannaford associates also have access to the Friends Business Resource Group, which supports diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives for the LGBTQ+ community, and also plays an important role in driving engagement, increasing awareness and building community and allyship for LGBTQ+ associates throughout the company.

 

Community partners commended Hannaford for its continued efforts to provide an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ associates and customers.

 

“At EqualityMaine, we believe that all LGBTQ+ people, including our families, deserve a welcoming workplace that not only affirms our identities, but builds community connections with the people we work alongside,” said Gia Drew, Executive Director of EqualityMaine. “We are proud to work with Hannaford as they continually meet the increasing challenges of what it means to be an equitable workplace.”

 

“One of our jobs at the Pride Center of the Capital Region is to be a champion for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Nathaniel Gray, Executive Director of the Pride Center of the Capital Region. “As presenting sponsor of our Pride Festival and Gala, Hannaford has proven time and again their commitment to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community and we celebrate Hannaford on receiving a top score from the Human Rights Campaign on their Corporate Equality Index.”

 

The full 2023 HRC CEI report is available online at www.hrc.org/cei.

 

About Hannaford Supermarkets

Hannaford Supermarkets operates 187 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All are committed to offering great fresh food, convenient experiences and everyday low prices. Hannaford also is an active and committed community partner—focusing on fighting hunger, supporting youth development, and helping people live healthier lives. Hannaford is an industry leader in sustainability with a strong commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Hannaford diverts or donates all food at risk of going to waste—sending no food to landfills. In 2022, Hannaford donated 25 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations and prevented 65 million pounds of food waste from reaching landfills. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates and is based inScarborough, Maine. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.

 

About the Human Rights Campaign Foundation

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation is the educational arm of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) people. Through its programs, the HRC Foundation seeks to make transformational change in the everyday lives of LGBTQ+ people, shedding light on inequity and deepening the public’s understanding of LGBTQ+ issues, with a clear focus on advancing transgender and racial justice. Its work has transformed the landscape for more than 15 million workers, 11 million students, 1 million clients in the adoption and foster care system and so much more. The HRC Foundation provides direct consultation and technical assistance to institutions and communities, driving the advancement of inclusive policies and practices; it builds the capacity of future leaders and allies through fellowship and training programs; and, with the firm belief that we are stronger working together, it forges partnerships with advocates in the U.S. and around the globe to increase our impact and shape the future of our work.

 

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Media Contact:

Caitlin Cortelyou

External Communications Manager, Hannaford Supermarkets

207-885-3132

caitlin.cortelyou@hannaford.com