Food Lion began as a small retail grocery shop in Salisbury, North Carolina, in 1957. When the company changed its name in 1983 to represent its expansion beyond its local beginnings, the brand name "Food Lion" was chosen. Food Lion is a division of Ahold Delhaize, a global corporation based in the Netherlands that runs a number of supermarket chains both domestically and abroad. Ahold purchased Food Lion in 1974. In the Southeast, Food Lion runs more than 1,000 locations, including in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, and other states. Selling fresh vegetables, dairy products, meats, baked goods, and home items at retail is Food Lion's main line of business. In order to provide communities with a balance between quality and affordability, the company is known for its reasonable pricing approach and commitment to customer service.