Corporate Social Responsibility Press Release
provided by 
11.25.2008 - 10:15am ET
News from:
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Walmart Gives Consumers Opportunity To Support Local Economies Through Locally Grown Program
Retailer stocks shelves with locally grown holiday favorites
(CSRwire) BENTONVILLE, Ark. - November 25, 2008 – While the economic climate
continues to be a concern for local farmers, Walmart is continuing its
effort to help local agriculture business by continuing partnerships with
small farms and stocking shelves with locally grown items. This holiday
season Walmart is giving customers an opportunity to buy local at a price
they can afford to help local economies at a time when they need it most.
"At Walmart we are committed to increasing our locally grown offerings and
the number of local small farms we work with," said Pam Kohn, Walmart
senior vice president and general merchandise manager for grocery.
"Through this program we are able to cut shipping costs and decrease food
miles, but most importantly we are offering our customers an opportunity
to support their local farmers without worrying about the impact on their
wallets."
By purchasing quality, affordable seasonal produce like locally grown
apples, sweet potatoes, cranberries and pumpkins, Walmart shoppers can add
local flavors to their holiday meals and feel good knowing their purchase
is helping their economy.
In-store seasonal facts: - Walmart sells locally grown pumpkins in 27
states – more than half the country – making Walmart the largest local
pumpkin distributor in the U.S.
- Customers in 17 states, including North Carolina and Utah, can
purchase locally grown apples for their homemade holiday apple pie.
- Walmart works with 50 small cranberry growers through Ocean Spray to
bring local cranberries to customers in Washington and Massachusetts,
among others.
- Walmart offers local sweet potatoes in seven states including
Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana. Sweet potatoes are grown in southern
states due to specific climate needs.
"Our partnership with Walmart
has allowed us the opportunity to grow our business and expand our
acreage," said Greg Nix, Apple Wedge Farms, a Walmart apple supplier.
"It's great to know that a company as big as Walmart is focused on local
agriculture business especially at a time when many industries are
struggling."
Walmart's locally grown offerings go beyond the produce aisle. Walmart
offers locally grown poinsettias – the traditional plant of choice for
decorating and gift giving during the holiday season – in Garden Centers
in 20 states across the country.- Walmart stores in North Carolina
sell poinsettias from Metrolina Greenhouses, Inc., a Huntersville-based
greenhouse. Metrolina invests extensively in research and development to
produce plants that are grown in environmentally friendly greenhouses.
- Florida customers will see locally grown poinsettias from Sunshine
Growers. Sunshine Growers gives a portion of their poinsettia sales to
local charities, churches, schools and nursing homes.
"We've supplied
to Walmart for 22 years and over those two decades we've seen nothing but
a positive impact on our business," said Shane Weaver, Sunshine Growers, a
poinsettia supplier. "In fact, nearly 16 weeks per year Walmart business
supports 65 of our full time employees."
Walmart's locally grown program continues to highlight local farmers and
their products in stores through signage that makes it easy for customers
to recognize. Signage includes official state-grown marks, indicating
approval by the state's agriculture department.
All locally grown offerings at Walmart are grown or produced and sold
within the same state. For more information on the program, visit www.walmart.com/locallygrown.
About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT)
Every week, millions of customers visit Walmart Stores, Supercenters,
Neighborhood Markets, and Sam's Club locations across America or log on to
its online store at www.walmart.com. The company and its
Foundation are committed to a philosophy of giving back locally. Walmart
(NYSE: WMT) is proud to support the causes that are important to customers
and associates right in their own neighborhoods, and last year gave more
than $296 million to local communities in the United States. More
information about Walmart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online
merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com
.
For more information please contact:
Caren Epstein, Media Director
Walmart Stores
800-331-0085
www.walmart.com
News Categories:
Natural/Organic Products and Community Development
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