Wal-Mart increases partnership with local growers
Wal-Mart increases partnership with local growers
Wal-Mart highlighted its commitment to carry more local fruits and vegetables in California, to keep produce prices down and offer affordable selections that are fresh and healthy during a watermelon promotion event in West Sacramento, CA.
The retailer also said that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years -- one example of the company's efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food.
Today, hundreds of growers across the United States provide produce sold in Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, making Wal-Mart the nation's largest purchaser of locally grown produce. The Wal-Mart Supercenter in West Sacramento, CA, currently provides over 120 locally grown products to its customers.
The July 18 event featured watermelon from Van Groningen & Sons in Manteca, CA.
"Offering local produce has been a Wal-Mart priority for years, and we're taking it to a new level with a pledge to grow our partnerships with local farmers in California," Pam Kohn, Wal-Mart's senior vice president and general merchandise manager for grocery, said in a press release. "We're committed to purchasing locally grown produce whenever possible. Increasing the amount of local produce in California's grocery aisles -- and adding clear locally grown signage -- reflects our dedication to offer the freshest products possible at great prices."
Present at the July 18 event were Mike Jarvis, deputy secretary of public affairs for the California Department of Food & Agriculture; Dan Van Groningen, a Manteca watermelon grower; Bob Morrissey, executive director of the National Watermelon Association; Tashi Zouras, president of the Western Watermelon Association; National Watermelon Queen Brittanie Lenice Faircloth; and Judy Culbertson, executive director of the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
The event celebrated National Watermelon Month and Wal-Mart's partnerships with local growers.
"Numerous benefits arise from the partnership between grocers and local farmers and ranchers," A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food & Agriculture, said in the press release. "Buying California-grown products provides billions of dollars to the state's revenue. It also helps support the state's economy and local jobs. Most importantly, California consumers will receive fresher and higher-quality fruits and vegetables, making them more flavorful and healthier."
"We are happy to supply so many West Sacramento residents with the best and freshest watermelons," Mr. Van Groningen of Van Groningen & Sons Inc., which has been growing watermelons for more than 68 years, added in the press release. "It is very important to us that Wal-Mart supports its local farmers for the duration of the growing season."
The retailer also said that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years -- one example of the company's efforts to support local economies, cut shipping costs and provide fresh food.
Today, hundreds of growers across the United States provide produce sold in Wal-Mart Supercenters and Neighborhood Markets, making Wal-Mart the nation's largest purchaser of locally grown produce. The Wal-Mart Supercenter in West Sacramento, CA, currently provides over 120 locally grown products to its customers.
The July 18 event featured watermelon from Van Groningen & Sons in Manteca, CA.
"Offering local produce has been a Wal-Mart priority for years, and we're taking it to a new level with a pledge to grow our partnerships with local farmers in California," Pam Kohn, Wal-Mart's senior vice president and general merchandise manager for grocery, said in a press release. "We're committed to purchasing locally grown produce whenever possible. Increasing the amount of local produce in California's grocery aisles -- and adding clear locally grown signage -- reflects our dedication to offer the freshest products possible at great prices."
Present at the July 18 event were Mike Jarvis, deputy secretary of public affairs for the California Department of Food & Agriculture; Dan Van Groningen, a Manteca watermelon grower; Bob Morrissey, executive director of the National Watermelon Association; Tashi Zouras, president of the Western Watermelon Association; National Watermelon Queen Brittanie Lenice Faircloth; and Judy Culbertson, executive director of the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom.
The event celebrated National Watermelon Month and Wal-Mart's partnerships with local growers.
"Numerous benefits arise from the partnership between grocers and local farmers and ranchers," A.G. Kawamura, secretary of the California Department of Food & Agriculture, said in the press release. "Buying California-grown products provides billions of dollars to the state's revenue. It also helps support the state's economy and local jobs. Most importantly, California consumers will receive fresher and higher-quality fruits and vegetables, making them more flavorful and healthier."
"We are happy to supply so many West Sacramento residents with the best and freshest watermelons," Mr. Van Groningen of Van Groningen & Sons Inc., which has been growing watermelons for more than 68 years, added in the press release. "It is very important to us that Wal-Mart supports its local farmers for the duration of the growing season."
