[3][4] It is a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize, and headquartered in unincorporated Prince George's County, Maryland, near Landover.

Cohen was a rabbi who had emigrated from Palestine following World War I and opened a kosher meat market in Carnegie, Pennsylvania.

[7] In its early years, as African Americans experienced segregation, Giant was criticized for not opening any locations in predominantly African-American neighborhoods.

The foundation primarily donated to local human services organizations in the DC area and to Jewish organizations, including the Edlavitch Jewish Community Center of Washington, D.C.[11] The Cohen Foundation refuses to fund programs that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, but does fund programs that promote Arab-Jewish coexistence.

[13] In 1962, Giant opened its first combination food store and pharmacy located in Glen Burnie, Maryland, in the Southdale Shopping Center.

[citation needed] Israel "Izzy" Cohen inherited the family mantle in 1964 and built the company into the 12th-largest food chain in the United States.

[14] Around the time the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, Giant began opening new locations in predominantly Black neighborhoods, in response to early criticism over failing to do so since beginning operations.

[8] Giant Food also owned a clothing store called Pants Corral from 1972 until 1985, when it was sold to Carson Pirie Scott.

Starting in 1994, they expanded into the Philadelphia/Delaware/South Jersey area, but under the name Super G, as to avoid confusion with future sister chain Giant of Carlisle.

[citation needed] On January 17, 2020, Giant announced a new line of private label wines named Artie.