Orono, Maine – Maine Athletics, in conjunction with Hannaford Supermarkets, is excited to officially announce the opening of the Black Bears Fueling Station in Memorial Gymnasium.

"We are excited to continue to enhance the student-athlete experience at UMaine with the addition of our new fueling station," said Jason Grunkemeyer, deputy athletic director. "This is another step in our continued effort to provide our students with the tools they need to achieve excellence."

The Black Bears Fueling Station was created to assist student-athletes in keeping their bodies nourished on a day-to-day basis.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to offer this resource to our student-athletes," said Ben Randall, associate head athletic trainer. "It's enriching to have so many people within our department step up and help this project flourish into something great. It was a need that many of us had identified, and to be able to make this a reality gives me immense pride."

The Fueling Station, open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers student-athletes a variety of grab and go snacks that fall into the categories of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats such as bars, fruit, nuts, yogurts, and oatmeal. The area also offers options for individuals who have dietary restrictions.

"The UMaine Athletics team put together an impressive range of snacks to fuel any activity and fit well for student-athletes who are on-the-go, actively training and often pressed for time," said Anne L'Heureux, a registered dietitian with Hannaford Supermarkets.

About Hannaford Supermarkets

Hannaford Supermarkets operates 187 stores in the Northeast, most with full-service pharmacies. Stores are located in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. All are committed to offering great fresh food, convenient experiences and everyday low prices. Hannaford also is an active and committed community partner—focusing on fighting hunger, supporting youth development, and helping people live healthier lives. Hannaford is an industry leader in sustainability with a strong commitment to reducing waste and protecting the environment. Hannaford diverts or donates all food at risk of going to waste—sending no food to landfills. In 2023, Hannaford donated 26 million pounds of food to hunger relief organizations. Hannaford employs nearly 30,000 associates and is based in Scarborough, Maine. Additional information can be found at Hannaford.com.

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