Food Lion is celebrating more than 350 associates who are celebrating 30 years of service or more this year. Among them are three long-term associates from stores in the Gloucester-Mathews area.

Local associates recognized include Jonathan Smith (store manager of the Mathews Food Lion, 35 years of service), Tanya Smith (Retail Pricing Coordinator for the Hayes Food Lion, 35 years of service) and Cheryl Hall (Retail Pricing Coordinator for the Gloucester Food Lion, 30 years of service).

On April 18, associates were honored during an annual event where the retailer shares appreciation and gratitude for long-term associates, presenting them with the Years of Service Award. These individuals bring Food Lion’s brand, strategy and culture to life, and have served their towns and cities for 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 years, a release stated.

At the event, each associate’s name, position, location and service milestone were read aloud and celebrated. Collectively, their tenure is 12,320 y...