Jun 5, 2013

Walmart increasing local produce sales

Walmart, the nation’s largest grocer and seller of produce, recently announced new efforts to ensure the “quality and freshness of the fruits and vegetables it offers customers,” part of the retailer’s goal of doubling its sales of locally grown produce by December 2015, according to a company press release.

The new efforts include changes to the retailer’s produce sourcing, training and operations. Initiatives include:

– Delivering produce from farms to store shelves faster by purchasing fruits and vegetables directly from growers and leveraging Walmart’s produce experts, distribution centers and trucking systems.

– Executing independent weekly checks in its more than 3,400 stores that sell produce.

– Launching fresh produce schools and other expanded training programs to 70,000 associates.

To improve quality and freshness, Walmart has hired produce experts to work directly with farmers in the key growing regions where the company has produce-buying offices. Building long-term partnerships with farmers while having Walmart associates in the regions – and in the fields everyday – where produce is grown has made it possible for Walmart to select farmers who grow the best fruits and vegetables, according to the press release.

Walmart’s produce offices, combined with its advanced supply chain and efficient trucking network, have enabled the retailer to decrease the days needed to get produce from growers to individual stores. Reducing the number of days produce is in transit has made it possible for Walmart to deliver a fresher product to customers, according to the press release.