We are working to get more local produce into local stores, including both
small single store markets, food coops, supermarket chains and health food
chains. One factor we encountered was the centralized distribution system
of one chain. We want them to keep our local produce labeled locally; they
buy items from all over, dump them into one bin at their warehouse and then
distribute them to their stores. Thus our "local" produce will be blended
into the piles of food from all over. This would not work for our purposes.
However, I don't think you should give up after one call to a chain. Try
to find individual department managers who support your product. They may
have the leeway to bring in extra product that does not come from the
centralized distribution system. If people like it and it starts selling,
you may get a call from the chain warehouse managers. Also try to get
in-store demonstrations and samples of your products. Get them into the
hands (and mouths)of the consumer when they are about to do their shopping
for the week. We are doing this with certain stores of the above mentioned
chain.
Good luck,
Mark
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