Exhibit 23










                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS




We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statements of
Hannaford Bros. Co. and  Subsidiaries on Form S-8 (File Nos.  2-77902,  2-98387,
33-1281, 33-22666, 33-31624, 33-41273, 33-60119, 33-60655, 33-60691,  333-41381,
and  333-53109)  of our report  dated  January  21,  1999,  on our audits of the
consolidated  financial statements of Hannaford Bros. Co. and Subsidiaries as of
January  2, 1999 and  January 3,  1998,  and for each of the three  years in the
period ended January 2, 1999,  which report is included in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K.


s/PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP


Portland, Maine
February 23, 1999