I shopped at Hannaford, the largest supermarket chain in Maine, and I wish it would come to every state

Erin McDowellSep 17, 2024, 21:18 IST

I went inside a Hannaford Supermarket in Scarborough, Maine, and think it should come to more states.Erin McDowell/Business Insider<ul class="summary-list"><li>Hannaford started as a small produce cart in 1883 and is now Maine's largest <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/aldi-german-discount-grocer-booming-us-food-inflation-remedy-2024-3">grocery chain</a>.</li><li>It has locations in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.</li></ul>As a New Yorker, I'm always surprised when I make the trek out of the city and discover new <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/trader-joes-shopper-for-years-switching-to-aldi-better-value-2024-9">supermarket chains</a>, many of which are larger and far better stocked than the grocery stores I'm used to in the city.On a recent trip to <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-inside-portland-maine-one-bedroom-apartment-different-prices-2024-8">Portland, Maine</a>, I stopped off at Hannaford Supermarkets in Scarborough and was blown away by the massive selection of produce, meat, and tasty-looking prepared foods.Founded in 1883, Hannaford Supermarkets started out as a small produce cart operated by Arthur Hannaford in the coastal city of Portland.The company was later led by Edward Hannaford, Arthur's brother, and Stewart Taylor took over as president in 1940, according to the chain's website. Under Taylor's leadership, the business expanded rapidly and underwent multiple mergers and acquisitions.As of 2016, Hannaford has been part of Ahold Delhaize, which also owns Food Lion and Stop & Shop.Hannaford has since grown into the largest grocery store chain in Maine, with additional locations in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.The supermarket chain has 189 stores in those five states and employs more than 26,000 people. Its largest concentration of stores is in Maine, where it has 68 locations.Although there are 52 locations in New York, none are in New York City, which meant this would be my first time ever shopping at Hannaford.Here's what it's like to shop at Hannaford Supermarkets.

I visited a Hannaford Supermarket and Pharmacy in Scarborough, Maine.

I visited a Hannaford Supermarket in Scarborough, Maine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Outside, there was a sign advertising Hannaford's grocery pickup program.

A sign advertised Hannaford To Go outside the store.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Right when I entered the store, I was greeted by a large produce section.

I was impressed by the produce section at Hannaford.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a wide selection of in-season fruits.

The store had a large selection of peaches and blueberries.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was amazed by the colorful displays.

I was impressed by the variety of fruits sold at Hannaford. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a selection of charcuterie plates and vegetable trays with dips.

There was a selection of vegetable trays and snack plates.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was also impressed by the store's bakery section.

There was a large selection of store-made baked goods.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The bakery also had a case fully stocked with assorted cakes.

There was a large dessert case filled with cakes.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a large selection of cheeses.

I was impressed by the cheese selection.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

In another section of the store, I found other kinds of cheese, pub cheeses, and dips.

There was also a large selection of pub cheeses and dips.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were also a lot of options for prepared foods.

There was a large selection of prepared foods.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were also multiple buffet stations at the store I visited.

There was a Mediterranean antipasto station with olives.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a small selection of hot foods like chicken wings.

The selection of hot foods was slightly lacking, in my opinion.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a salad bar with a variety of toppings.

The salad bar had many toppings to choose from.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

In the deli section, there was a case filled with sandwiches to grab and go.

I was impressed by the selection of sandwiches.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was also surprised to see a fresh lobster roll in the case.

I was surprised to see that Hannaford was selling its own lobster roll.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Another section had grab-and-go sliced deli meats and cheese.

A deli case had sliced meats and cheese.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a case filled with live lobsters.

A large case of lobsters was in the middle of the seafood section.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

I was also impressed by the selection of fresh sushi rolls.

There was a large selection of sushi rolls, which are made fresh daily.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were also standard grocery-store items like packaged meats.

The meat cases were well-stocked.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There were also large cases of meat and seafood.

The meat case had a large selection. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The meat aisle extended into a section with burger patties and ribs.

There was also a case of burgers and ribs.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also an aisle with hot dogs and more sandwich meat.

The selection of hot dog brands seemed endless.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

This Hannaford location also sold beer and wine.

There was an entire aisle dedicated to wine.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

There was also a section of "Hannaford selects" wines, recommended by the store.

Hannaford had a section dedicated to certain wines.Erin McDowell/Business Insider

At the edge of the freezer aisle was another section promoting local products.

There were signs throughout the store pointing out which products were local to Maine. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

Multiple aisles were dedicated to frozen foods.

There was also a large freezer section. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The plant and flower section was small but would come through in a pinch.

There was a floral section with bouquets and plants. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

This store also had a large pharmacy section.

This Hannaford location had a pharmacy. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

The store was really quiet on the afternoon that I visited and there was no shortage of checkout lanes open.

There were multiple checkout lanes open when I visited. Erin McDowell/Business Insider

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