Salisbury-based Food Lion is celebrating nearly 300 associates who have more than 30 years of service with the retailer, including John Younce of Huntersville, Linda Bellis and Christopher Young of Concord, and of Lisa Montgomery of Mooresville.

Montgomery has 35 years with Food Lion, while Younce, Bellis and Young each have  30 years.

“Our associates serve their neighbors with passion, dedication and care each day,” said Food Lion president Meg Ham. “It’s important to us at Food Lion to take time and thank these dedicated associates for everything they do to nourish our customers, communities, and each other. These associates have given their careers so that we can be where we are today, and the entire Food Lion organization is incredibly grateful for their commitment to Food Lion and the towns and cities we serve.”

There are 274 associates with long tenures of service who are celebrating a milestone year in 2020. And Food Lion recognizes these associates celebrating 30, 35, 40, and 45 years of service with the Years of Service Award. Each year to demonstrate the company’s appreciation and gratitude, the retailer honors holds a ceremony where each associate’s name, position and location are read aloud and celebrated to underscore that each one is important to Food Lion and contributed to its growth.