Wakefern Food Corp. — the retailer-owned supermarket cooperative with member companies that own and operate supermarkets under the ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market and Di Bruno Bros. banners — says it is seeking local farmers to join its network of suppliers and participate in a Produce Local Supplier Summit on July 9, according to a news release.
As part of its long commitment to sourcing locally grown produce, Wakefern says it is seeking to expand its network of local and regional farmers and producers. The latest supplier summit will provide farmers and growers with a unique opportunity to showcase their produce and products, connect with Wakefern and ShopRite produce procurement teams and explore other potential retail partnerships with summit attendees, the company says.
The one-day event will also include special presentations by Wakefern leaders in produce sourcing and quality assurance, panels with Wakefern members who operate ShopRite stores and industry leaders and local suppliers. Attendees will also have the opportunity to do “speed meetings” with existing growers to learn more about what it’s like to work with Wakefern, the company says.
“Wakefern’s Produce Local Supplier Summit is another way to help small- and mid-size local growers bring their fresh produce to our stores. ShopRite stores are owned and operated by families who belong to our supermarket cooperative and live and work in the communities where their stores operate. We want local farmers and growers to know we are here and committed to being farm fresh. We want to work with them,” Mark Van Buskirk, group vice president of Fresh for Wakefern, said in a news release.