STATE — 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:

• Non-discrimination policies across business entities
• Equitable benefits for LGBTQ+ workers and their families
• Supporting an inclusive culture
• Corporate social responsibility

Hannaford is 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.