Customers prefer produce that's grown close to home. These new demands result in higher profits and new clientele for grocers. There are many indicators that customers increasingly want fresh, locally-grown produce and are often willing to pay a higher price for better quality. Grocers across the country are meeting this demand in a variety of ways.
For example, Sunflower Farmers Markets in Boulder, Colorado are the first grocery chain in the U.S. to own and operate a commercial-scale farm. They've launched a weekly community supported agriculture program called Veggie Box Subscriptions.
Each week, subscribers can pick up a half-bushel box filled with seasonal organic vegetables and herbs grown on the company's Sunflower Farm in Longmont, Colorado. The retailer said it guarantees these veggies and herbs are harvested within 24 hours of the time subscribers pick them up.
Another retailer, FreshDirect, based in New York, has recently doubled its local fresh offerings, now featuring 350 products from 30 suppliers sourced within 300 miles of the Internet grocery. FreshDirect says making shopping for local foods more convenient for items including a variety of fruit, vegetables, dairy, cheese, beef, seafood, bakery items and specialty products like beer and wine, allow some products to go from the farm to the customer within 48 hours. Visitors to FreshDirect.com can view an interactive map of all the farms, allowing customers to shop by proximity.
Additionally, produce managers from Tops Friendly Markets' 131 stores in New York and Pennsylvania toured local farms to learn first-hand about the locally-grown produce the retailer carries and launched its "homegrown campaign." The initiative informs Tops' customers where the produce they purchase comes from and who the local growers are through in-store signage.
Whether a store grows it's own produce or partners with local growers, it is important for produce managers to showcase fresh, local fruits and vegetables in new and exciting ways. Because of increased demand for local products, managers also need to educate customers about their unique regional offerings.
Pan-Oston is the one to turn to for help to showcase the local produce customers demand. Our products range from custom made produce displays to a large catalogue of existing products including produce displays and a wide variety of merchandising displays, racks and shelving.
Source: Pan-Oston
