Re: buying local
Dan Hook (guldann@ix.netcom.com)
Tue, 3 Aug 1999 14:12:36 -0400
Martha brings up a good point. As well as Lisa who said conventional
systems are better oiled. Seasonality of local produce from a store's point
of view would be difficult. However the big suppliers need the grocery
stores as much as the store needs the supplier. Granted a store would be up
a creek if it had nothing to sell. But it does seem like if combination
buying became the "norm" Seasonal stuff locally "everything" else from big
guy. Granted if the "story" got to the media it would have to be looked at
from both sides. But I think the small (but growing) percentage of buyers
that buy organic would also be interested in the business practices of the
stores they buy from. Most buyers really haven't a clue. Do you learned
folks think ag can really keep up the trend it's been on, less farms but
huge. Big business without the farming passion? Beth
Martha wrote:
>I'm not taking up for Whole Foods but I do understand how a large grocer
>would need to have a chain of commitment and the local growers normally
>aren't prepared for the turnover they need. If they toss out a mega
>contract for a seasonal local grower, the contract seller probably won't
>try to renew the contract. I know Grocer's Supply has control over many of
>the small grocery stores and restaurants in the area. If a local tomato
>grower comes to them and wants to sell his produce, if GS finds out, they
>have been known to pull their whole vegetable contract from the grocer.
>Again, I'm not taking up for Whole Foods but if you intend to go to the
>news folk with the way they conduct their business, best to see the problem
>from all angles.
>martha, Flylo Farms, (Texas)
>http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/5505/
>
>
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