Belgian-based food retailer Delhaize Group published its first corporate responsibility report yesterday, in a gesture to highlights its achievements and strategic priorities in three areas: people, product and the planet.

"Throughout the Group, we have hundreds of initiatives that come under the umbrella of Corporate Responsibility," said Pierre-Olivier Beckers, Delhaize Group president and ceo. "However, until recently we've never really thought of these activities as a 'corporate responsibility' - they are simply a natural expression of who we are. Everything we have achieved has sprung organically from our deeply ingrained social values, notably our strong desire to protect and nurture the health and wellbeing of our customers, associates, suppliers and the communities in which we operate."

Delhaize Group said it has made significant progress in its three focus areas.

In the area of product, in Europe the group was the first major supermarket to launch a range of organic products and recently rolled out its nutritional navigation system, Guiding Stars, in the United States.

In the area of people, its division Hannaford was one of only eight retailers to win platinum honors in the Best Employer for Health Lifestyles awards in 2007.

Covering the planet, the group's subsidiary Food Lion earned more Energy Stars from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency than any other grocery retailer in the United States.