From Cashier to Crown: Food Lion's Top Manager Champions Community

CHARLOTTE, NC – February 09, 2026 – In a testament to career growth and community dedication, Amelia Barton, manager of the Food Lion on West WT Harris Boulevard in Charlotte, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Award. The prestigious honor recognizes Barton as the top store manager among more than 1,100 leaders across the grocery chain's 10-state territory.

The award, announced in Salisbury, N.C., is more than a corporate accolade; it highlights a journey that began over a decade ago and underscores the company's dual focus on operational success and local impact. In honor of Barton's achievement, Food Lion will donate 20,000 meals to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, directly connecting leadership excellence to the fight against hunger in her community.

A Journey Through the Ranks

Amelia Barton’s story is a powerful illustration of internal advancement within the retail sector. Her career with Food Lion began in July 2013 as a part-time cashier while she was still in high school. Demonstrating early promise, she quickly trained in the front office and continued to build her skills throughout her college years. Her trajectory from an entry-level associate to the company's most celebrated store manager exemplifies a corporate culture designed to nurture talent from within.

“It’s an honor to be here with all of you today celebrating our year together,” Barton said upon receiving the award. “I didn’t just manage a store; I grew with it. To my team, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Leadership isn’t about doing everything yourself; it’s about empowering others, and I am incredibly proud of my team.”

Her colleagues note that under Barton's guidance, her store has become a veritable training ground for future leaders, with numerous associates advancing into management roles. This focus on mentorship aligns with Food Lion's broader strategy of investing in its workforce through programs like tuition reimbursement and partnerships with education providers, which are available to both full-time and part-time associates.

“Amelia is a leader who brings heart, consistency and purpose to her work,” said Greg Finchum, President of Food Lion. “Our store managers understand what it means to bring Food Lion’s brand, strategy and culture to life every single day.”

The Legacy of Retail Excellence

The award is named for Ralph W. Ketner, a co-founder who revolutionized the grocery business in 1957 with a simple but powerful strategy: "LFPINC" (Lowest Food Prices in North Carolina). Ketner’s philosophy of providing value to the customer remains a core tenet of the company, and the award celebrates managers who embody this principle while also excelling in leadership and community service.

“Amelia knows how to lead in a way that truly strengthens her entire store,” noted Scott Libbey, Vice President of Food Lion's Central Division. “She supports her team, communicates openly and upholds the high standards that define who we are at Food Lion.”

While Barton secured the top honor, Food Lion also recognized four other divisional winners for their exceptional performance. These leaders represent the best from their respective regions and demonstrate the company's commitment to high standards across its entire footprint:

• Northern Division: Kathy Castle, Stuarts Draft, Va.
• Richmond/Norfolk Division: Almedin Dokic, Richmond, Va.
• Mid-Atlantic Division: Alphana B. Jones, Raeford, N.C.
• Southern Division: Wendy McDowell Neeley, Kingstree, S.C.

Beyond the Aisles: A Commitment to Community

The most immediate impact of Barton's award will be felt by families in need across the Charlotte area. The 20,000-meal donation made in her name to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is part of Food Lion Feeds, the retailer's far-reaching hunger-relief platform.

This is not an isolated act of charity but a component of a deep, strategic partnership. Food Lion has been a partner of Second Harvest for 34 years, providing consistent and substantial support. The commitment goes beyond award-related donations; Food Lion Feeds recently pledged $1 million to help fund a new Second Harvest facility in Salisbury, which will be named the “Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina – Food Lion Feeds Center.”

Since its inception in 2014, Food Lion Feeds has donated over 1.5 billion meals across the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. The company has set an ambitious goal to reach 3 billion meals by 2032, cementing its role as a major force in regional hunger relief. By linking its premier employee recognition award directly to this mission, the company sends a clear message: true leadership is measured not only by sales and operations but by the positive impact made on the communities it serves.

A Blueprint for Talent in a Competitive Market

In the highly competitive grocery retail landscape, attracting and retaining top talent is a critical business imperative. Food Lion's approach, exemplified by the Ketner Award, serves as a strategic blueprint. The program mirrors best practices seen across the industry, where recognition is tied to core company values and tangible rewards.

Competitors like Publix, an employee-owned company, have long been recognized for similar programs. The Publix Mr. George Community Service Award, for instance, also honors associates for community involvement and includes a significant donation to a charity of the winner's choice. By fostering a culture that celebrates internal growth—as seen in Barton's cashier-to-manager journey—and publicly rewarding community stewardship, Food Lion strengthens its employer brand and creates a powerful incentive for its 82,000 associates.

These programs are more than just a pat on the back; they are a strategic investment in human capital. They help create a culture where associates feel valued and see a clear path for advancement, which in turn leads to better customer service and stronger store performance. The success of managers like Amelia Barton and the divisional winners demonstrates that when a company invests in its people, the returns are felt not only on the balance sheet but throughout the neighborhoods they call home.