Wal-Mart shops closer to home for its produce
http://www.star-telegram.com/business/story/741011 [2008-7-7]
Tag : Fresh Yams
Wal-Mart stores in Arizona now stock Grand Canyon sweet onions,while aisles in New York display state-grown eggplant, as theworld’s largest retailer says it has become thenation’s largest buyer of locally grown fruits andvegetables.
Wal-Mart announced its commitment to locally grown produce Tuesdayduring an event in Georgia. The company plans to purchase and sell$400 million worth of produce grown by local farmers in its storesthis year, an effort the company says will only grow. Academicstudies show that buying locally cuts down on transportationmileage and assures customers of a product’s provenance amidmass recalls.
"Wal-Mart would not be the first" to buy local, said Rich Pirog,associate director of the Leopold Center for SustainableAgriculture at Iowa State University. "But they’re obviously,without question, the largest retailer to go down this route." Among retailers, Whole Foods Market of Austin is perhaps best-knownfor buying and selling locally grown produce, Pirog said. Others,such as New Seasons Market stores around Portland, Ore., and HenHouse Market stores in Kansas City, cater to customers looking forfresh produce.
For Wal-Mart, which leverages bulk purchases to keep prices down,buying from local farms might not appear to fit the company’sstrategy. However, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company has focusedon buying fruits and vegetables from farms closest to itsdistribution centers, making shipping easier and cutting down ontrucking produce from outside the area, spokeswoman Deisha Galberthsaid. Produce bought from Texas farmers includes yams, citrus fruit,chilies, beans, okra, mushrooms, cabbage, cilantro, watermelon,calabasita squash, cantaloupes, onions and peaches, the companysaid.
Wal-Mart stores in Arizona now stock Grand Canyon sweet onions,while aisles in New York display state-grown eggplant, as theworld’s largest retailer says it has become thenation’s largest buyer of locally grown fruits andvegetables.
Wal-Mart announced its commitment to locally grown produce Tuesdayduring an event in Georgia. The company plans to purchase and sell$400 million worth of produce grown by local farmers in its storesthis year, an effort the company says will only grow. Academicstudies show that buying locally cuts down on transportationmileage and assures customers of a product’s provenance amidmass recalls.
"Wal-Mart would not be the first" to buy local, said Rich Pirog,associate director of the Leopold Center for SustainableAgriculture at Iowa State University. "But they’re obviously,without question, the largest retailer to go down this route." Among retailers, Whole Foods Market of Austin is perhaps best-knownfor buying and selling locally grown produce, Pirog said. Others,such as New Seasons Market stores around Portland, Ore., and HenHouse Market stores in Kansas City, cater to customers looking forfresh produce.
For Wal-Mart, which leverages bulk purchases to keep prices down,buying from local farms might not appear to fit the company’sstrategy. However, the Bentonville, Ark.-based company has focusedon buying fruits and vegetables from farms closest to itsdistribution centers, making shipping easier and cutting down ontrucking produce from outside the area, spokeswoman Deisha Galberthsaid. Produce bought from Texas farmers includes yams, citrus fruit,chilies, beans, okra, mushrooms, cabbage, cilantro, watermelon,calabasita squash, cantaloupes, onions and peaches, the companysaid.
Related News »
In Focus »
footwear exports
Last month, European footwear manufacturers proposed extending anti-dumping measures against ..
B2B Keywords:
International market Chinese Importer Wholesale trade Wholesale products World trade Wholesale distributors International trade Foreign trade Wholesale distributor Importers Import export business Sell online Help u sell Global trade How to market a product Online supplier Wholesale product
International market Chinese Importer Wholesale trade Wholesale products World trade Wholesale distributors International trade Foreign trade Wholesale distributor Importers Import export business Sell online Help u sell Global trade How to market a product Online supplier Wholesale product
Feature Products»
Hot Products: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0-9
-
-
About Us -
Links -
Privacy Policy -
Terms of Use -
Site Map -
Contact Us -
Call Center: 0086-95105561 © 2007 Tootoo.com -
