SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets announced the launch of its Your Neighbors, Our Farmers local produce campaign, which highlights the long-term contributions of thirteen farmers and their families who supply Weis Markets' stores with local produce.
"It is now peak season for local produce in our five state market area. For 99 years and counting, we've been purchasing and selling local produce because it offers the quality our customers have come to expect from us," David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets' President and CEO "It also helps us conserve resources and benefits the economies of the states where we operate. This year, we are proud to highlight the contributions of thirteen farmers and their families, some of whom have been supplying us for more than 40 years."
In 2011, Weis Markets will purchase more than 24 million pounds of local produce from approximately 150 farmers in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and New York.
The centerpiece of the Your Neighbors, Our Farmers campaign includes individual black and white photos of each farmer/ supplier. These photos are displayed in Weis Markets' produce departments by region and product. A group shot is displayed in all stores. These photos are also displayed on billboards and in weekly circulars. The photos can be viewed at: www.weismarkets.com/products/buy-local/.
The individual photos highlight the produce of:
•John Tebbs, Williamsport, PA (sweet corn)
•Ed Sobiech, Pine Island, NY (onions)
•Paul Lebo, Mechanicsburg, PA (sweet corn, cantaloupes, cabbage, green peppers and tomatoes)
•Helen Masser, Sacramento, PA (potatoes);
•Ken Dries, Sunbury, PA (apples);
•Ed Leo Avondale, PA (mushrooms);
•Allen Conrad, Newport, PA (organic produce);
•Page and Rhonda Houser, Sharpsburg, MD (sweet corn, tomatoes and cantaloupes)
•Jack Bream, his mother and his son Drew, Orrtanna, PA (peaches, apples and nectarines)
•Mark Apple, Richfield, PA (apples)
•Allen and Ruth Terwilliger, Hegins, PA (potatoes)
•Titus Hoover Jr., Port Trevorton, PA (Athena Cantaloupes, peppers, cucumbers and pumpkins)
•Dave Rogers, Great Meadows, New Jersey (leafy greens, scallions and radishes)
Weis Markets Local Produce Program
Weis Markets regularly purchases locally grown sweet corn, green beans, peaches, nectarines, apples, lettuce, mushrooms, watermelons, cabbage, blueberries, cucumbers, cantaloupes, tomatoes, potatoes, squash and pumpkins.
In Pennsylvania, Weis Markets purchases local produce grown on more than 100 farms in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, including ones in Lancaster, Lycoming, Snyder, Monroe, Northumberland, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Cumberland, Franklin, Adams, Dauphin and Schuylkill Counties.
In Maryland, Weis Markets purchases local produce grown on farms located in Washington and Anne Arundel Counties. In New Jersey, it purchases local produce grown in Warren County and in up state New York it purchases produce grown in Orange County.
About Weis Markets
Weis Markets currently operates 164 stores in its home state of Pennsylvania and in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and West Virginia. For more information about Weis Markets, Inc., please visit www.weismarkets.com or go to www.facebook.com/WeisSuperMarket.
Source: Weis Markets, Inc.