Wal-Mart to purchase millions in locally grown produce
11:33 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wal-Mart Stores says regional produce-buying teams are now searching for locally grown items of interest to Wal-Mart customers.
Wal-Mart estimates it will purchase and sell $400 million worth of produce grown by local farmers in selected state stores during 2008.
The July 1 announcement could cultivate larger sales channels for Kansas and Missouri farmers interested in supplying the supermarket giant, according to the Kansas City Business Journal.
Wal-Mart expects the effort to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by cutting the distance food is shipped.
As one example, the company says it obtains more than 12 million pounds of peaches from 18 states. The local strategy saved more than $1.4 million in freight and gasoline costs.
Nationally, Wal-Mart works with hundreds of growers to provide produce sold in its stores, and already buys more than 70 percent of its produce from U.S.-based suppliers, according to the company.
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