TIFTON – Food Lion has been named Energy Star Partner of the Year for  the 20th consecutive year.

Administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, it is the highest level of EPA recognition, according to a statement from the grocery store chain.

Food Lion also announced in the statement that they have received the Sustained Excellence Award for the 18th consecutive year, which is given to partners that go above and beyond what is needed to qualify for recognition and have already received the Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for at least two years in a row. 

More than 900 Food Lion stores have received the Energy Star certification at least once. The stores make up 89% of all Food Lion locations and account for 36% of all Energy Star certified supermarkets in the entire country.

“We are proud and honored to serve as a leader in energy conservation and efficiency,” said Matt Yates, vice president of brand strategy for Food Lion. “Our work to reduce our energy usage stretches through every part of our business, from our supply chain to our store operations. We remain committed to reducing our carbon footprint and doing our part to be a responsible, trusted neighbor in the towns and cities we serve.”