We used to trust Hannaford.
But we can’t ignore the issues any longer.
Hannaford is hurting families across New England:
Endless Price Hikes
Prices keep rising. For many families, Hannaford is the only option in town. Where else will they go when they can no longer afford to shop at Hannaford? Reports show Hannaford charges even more in rural, lower-income areas.
Widespread Quality Issues
Spoiled produce, rotten meat, and mold. Expired products on the shelves. Local favorites replaced with low-quality Hannaford-brand products. Shrinkflation. Endless recalls. Why doesn’t Hannaford care about quality?
Profits for Overseas Owners
Hannaford likes to say it’s “local,” but it’s less “local” than Walmart. It’s owned by a foreign conglomerate called Ahold Delhaize. The top boss, Frans Muller in the Netherlands, makes $6 million a year by ripping off Hannaford customers.
Extreme Animal Cruelty
No one wants to support animal cruelty. But Hannaford misleads its customers into thinking its products are humanely sourced. In reality, Hannaford uses products that are so cruel, they are banned in much of New England.
Hardship for Store Employees
Employees report unsafe and degrading conditions, toxic culture, poor management, and being overworked and underpaid. A union might help, but Hannaford has spread anti-union propaganda. Workers deserve better.
Squeezing Out Local Farmers
Hannaford claims to support local farmers, but some say the company blocks them from selling locally, pressures them to invest and scale without contracts, then refuses to pay sustainable prices, driving them out of business.
“Hannaford used to be the place to shop for all your family groceries. But now they have raised the prices of food so high that most people on a limited income can’t afford to feed themselves.
It has become as though Hannaford does not care about people in general. The only thing they care about is their bottom line.”
— Hannaford Customer Submission
WE’RE TIRED OF PAYING HIGH PRICES FOR LOW-QUALITY FOOD.
“Your Local Grocer Since 1883.”
That’s what Hannaford’s marketing says. The truth? Hannaford sold out years ago to Ahold Delhaize, a $100 billion foreign corporation. Hannaford may have kept its name, but the real decisions are now made thousands of miles away.
Hannaford used to feel like the local grocer that cared about the people it served. Prices were low, the food was good, and the company felt like part of the town. Not anymore. Since it sold out to a foreign corporation, everything has changed. Prices keep rising while food quality seems to get worse and worse.
Hannaford is hurting New England families.
We deserve better.
Since this campaign launched, we’ve heard from people all over New England. Workers have described a miserable workplace. Hundreds of shoppers have complained about disgusting, expired food on the shelves and stores that are unclean. The customers who have Hannaford as their only option wish a competitor would come to town to provide better alternatives.
You’re not imagining it. Hannaford has changed. And it’s taken our loyalty for granted for the last time.
Breaking report:
Hannaford’s prices are higher in Maine’s poorest communities
Hannaford is taking advantage of rural, working families struggling to put food on the table by charging them significantly more for the same essential groceries.
Hannaford, we have questions.
Where’s the quality control?
In just the past year, Hannaford has pulled beef, cookies, salads, pasta, and even its own baked goods off its shelves. Listeria, foreign materials, undeclared allergens — the list keeps growing. Shoppers report moldy bread, rancid meat, and produce that spoils overnight. Clearly, Hannaford isn’t watching its suppliers — or watching out for us.
Wait, who owns Hannaford?
Now that Hannaford has sold out to a massive foreign corporation, Ahold Delhaize, its priority is keeping European shareholders happy. Yet Hannaford continues to market itself to New Englanders as “your local grocer.” Many families are shocked to learn that profits flow to international shareholders and overseas executives who have little incentive to give back to the community.
Representative Image
How low can standards go?
Hannaford still sells eggs and pork from animals confined in cages — even McDonald’s doesn’t do that. Scientists say these cages endanger food safety and produce the lowest-quality eggs. Even the American Public Health Association has condemned them. Most shoppers have no idea their groceries come from operations so filthy they’re illegal in much of New England.
Can we really trust Hannaford?
A recent data breach exposed tens of thousands of Hannaford customers’ sensitive personal information. Hannaford didn’t just fail to protect its customers; it failed to even notify them, keeping quiet for six months after the breach while families were left vulnerable to fraud and identity theft.
We can vote with our dollar.
Sure, no grocery store is perfect. But where do we draw the line? We should be able to trust that our grocery stores have our best interests at heart, at least! We don’t want to have to confront price gouging, data breaches, recalls, and everything in between.
Hannaford is on a bad trajectory, and only the community can hold it accountable.
Why Hannaford?
For many in New England, Hannaford is the primary grocery option if not the only one. The company’s practices are hurting families, and its track record is shameful. Read our blogs to learn more about issues at Hannaford.
Hannaford won't change unless they hear from their community. Whether you share your story with us or speak up directly to Hannaford, your voice matters. Together, we can demand better.
Make your voice heard.
What have you experienced at Hannaford? We want to hear from you. Your stories help us in our ongoing advocacy efforts.
Tell us your experience.
Contact Hannaford directly.
Let Hannaford know what you've experienced in their stores. Call Hannaford Customer Care to share your concerns, and ask what happened to the Hannaford you once knew.