Local Grocer Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

GFIA President Kathy Kuzava with Anderson Dilworth and his wife Joel. Photo courtesy The Shelby Report

A longtime local grocer is honored by the Georgia Food Industry Association with a lifetime achievement award.

Each year, the Georgia Food Industry Association recognizes a leader with its Legacy Award.

This year, however, the group presented a different honor—a Lifetime Achievement Award to Anderson Dilworth of Royston.

The 87-year old Dilworth is the president of Dill’s Food City, which operates four grocery stores in Royston, two in Lavonia (Dill’s Food City and Lavonia Foods), and in Hiawassee.

Dilworth was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award last Saturday by State Sen. John Wilkinson and State Sen. Jack Hill during the Georgia Food Industry Association’s 2017 Convention.

Senator Wilkinson called Dilworth the epitome of what a small business owner should be.

“This is a good business—good friends, and it’s been very good to my family,” Dilworth told The Shelby Report after receiving the award.

Dilworth opened his first store in 1955 and still goes to the office every day.

Over the years, he has received numerous honors including the Association’s Legacy Award.

In 1971, he was recognized as the Georgia Grocer of the Year and also was the first retail grocer to receive the Alfred Dorman Wholesaler Award, which is also presented by Georgia Food Industry Association.

Recently, the Royston native was by the State recognized through Senate Resolution 218 for his lifelong service within his community and state.

“Anderson’s significant organizational and leadership talents, his remarkable patience and diplomacy, his keen sense of vision, and his sensitivity to the needs of the citizens of this state have earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues and associates,” according to the resolution, which calls Dilworth a “remarkable and distinguished Georgian.”

Dilworth has served as president of the Royston Lions Club, where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award, and has served as secretary and treasurer of the Royston/Franklin Springs Chamber of Commerce.

He has also served as mayor of Royston and in the Georgia Legislature during Gov. Ernest Vandiver’s term.

He also served on Gov. Zell Miller’s Commission of Effectiveness and Economy in Government.

Dilworth has three children, seven grandchildren and one great-granddaughter and is a member of Royston First United Methodist Church.