Wal-Mart touting locally grown produce in Oklahoma stores and

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Jul 16, 2008 by Heather Caliendo

Wal-Mart is rolling out a new program to add local greens to its stores.

The Locally Grown program kicks off today at the Wal-Mart at 10938 S. Memorial in Tulsa. The nationwide program is meant to demonstrate Wal-Mart's commitment to carry more local fruits and vegetables.

Angela Stoner, senior public affairs manager for Wal-Mart, said while the department store has offered local produce in the past, the company is now making it a priority.

"We have seen customers want to support the local community and be able to buy products that sustain our environment," she said. "They also want to purchase products that are affordable and they can see the benefits of supporting the local community and state."

Wal-Mart reported that partnerships with local farmers have grown by 50 percent over the past two years. Items such as Oklahoma-grown cantaloupe and organic okra are being sold in 14 stores, compared to zero stores last year. About eight categories of produce will now be locally supplied to Oklahoma stores. Stoner said the program will help establish more partnerships with farmers in the state.

Oklahoma peach farmer Kent Livesay owns and operates his family farm Livesay Orchards. His farm has been in his family since the '60s specializing in a variety of produce, but peaches are their mainstay. Because there aren't many peach farms in the area, Livesay said some customers will make a significant drive to the farm - even driving from Kansas.

Livesay said they have had a partnership with Wal-Mart stores for several years, and see it as a benefit to marketing the farm.

"Wal-Mart has been a very good business partner, and it's been good publicity for us when people see our peaches sold in Wal- Mart," he said. "It raises awareness of local fruit and it's very beneficial for us to have a local market to sell fruit to."

Livesay peaches are now featured on in-store signage in the Tulsa area. The farm's peaches will be sold around northeastern Oklahoma, and Livesay said depending on supply and demand will expand to the rest of the state.

He said Oklahomans should pick local over out-of-state produce because of the freshness.

"We pick a better quality fruit being in a local market than being in California where fruit is shipped a long way - here you know where the farmer and produce is coming from," he said.

Stoner said shortening the distance from the farm to the fork is one reason the company chose to partner with more local farmers. By reducing the miles food has to travel it can help conserve fuel and cut transportation costs.

"It not only saves Wal-Mart money at the end of the day, but it saves the customer as well," she said.