Lessons from Whole Foods

Retailers, can benefit from making local, fresh, produce a priority, fruit and vegetable displays should be prominent and appealing.

Whole Food Market has increased funding of it's Local Producer Program by $15 million for a total of $25 million. The Local Producer Program  provides loans to local growers, producers and food artisans to help grow their businesses.  In total, thus far, 184 loans have been given equaling  $10 million to 155 businesses since the program’s inception.

While clearly, not all retailers have the ability to offer such programs, Whole Foods sets a great example when it comes to highlighting and promoting fresh, local, organic produce. Whole Foods has shown us that when produce is displayed well, and when local, fresh foods are available, people will buy it. And let's not forget the NPD Groups' annual study,  Eating Patterns in America, that showed while 30% of U.S. adults are obese that figure has stabilized since 2011. The number of adults who are overweight hasn’t grown since 2003. One major reason why? Americans love fruit! “Fruit is the number one snack and dessert in the U.S. and now makes up 6% of end dishes we consume,” says Harry Balzer, chief industry analyst at NPD and report author. 

Retailers, can benefit from making local, fresh, produce a priority, fruit and vegetable displays should be prominent and appealing. And offer support to local growers in other ways such as perhaps hosting a farmer's markets. Make fresh produce and local producers a highlight and consumers will respond.