As Consumers Increasingly Demand Homegrown Products, Wild Oats Marketplace Kicks Off Its 'Choose Local' Education Program
27 Junho 2007 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
On average, American fruits and vegetables travel 1,500 miles
before they reach our plates, an alarming statistic for consumers
as gas prices hover at an all-time high. Wild Oats Marketplace
(NASDAQ: OATS), a leading national natural and organic foods
retailer, is encouraging customers to choose locally sourced
products this summer, ultimately reducing carbon dioxide emissions
and our dependence on fossil fuels, and supporting our local
communities. According to an Iowa State University study, if Iowa
residents bought 10 percent more locally grown produce, annual
carbon dioxide emissions would be reduced by up to 8 million
pounds. Buying organic products from local growers, farmers and
food artisans is a hot food trend among American consumers.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, farmers' markets
have grown 79 percent since 1994 with approximately 3 million
visitors each week in 2002. Natural product analysts at the Hartman
Group report more than 75 percent of consumers would like to know
more about where their food comes from and how it is produced. Wild
Oats� �Choose Local� program, now in its second year, will showcase
and identify fresh, organic products from local growers, farmers
and food artisans for customers in all 109 of its natural and
specialty food markets across North America starting in July. �Wild
Oats has continuously supported local growers and producers through
its year-round �Choose Local� program. Right now, the freshest
produce from area farmers is in season, which allows us to ramp up
our efforts to educate consumers about the importance of selecting
local products,� said Don Harris, vice president of produce for
Wild Oats Markets. �Buying local organic products boosts area
economies, reduces negative environmental impacts related to carbon
emissions and pesticide use, and supports sustainable agriculture.
Throughout our 20-year history, Wild Oats has been dedicated to
sustainable, local agriculture and today, more than ever, consumers
are asking for these products so they, too, can support their local
communities and enjoy products at their peak, fresh from the farm.�
To illustrate its commitment to local products, collectively, Wild
Oats buys more than 45,000 locally produced food items from
approximately 1,200 farmers, food artisans and manufacturers based
in all 23 states where Wild Oats has stores. To make it easy for
shoppers to identify these locally supplied products, Wild Oats
will clearly mark locally grown and produced items throughout its
stores with �Choose Local� shelf tags. Some tags will profile local
farmers and vendors such as Hotchkiss, Colo.-based Ela Family
Farms, a certified organic, fourth-generation family farm in
Western Colorado that has been growing fruit since 1907. Ela Family
Farms supports organic agriculture, and its applesauce, jams and
fruit butters are made without added sweeteners and are picked at
the peak of the season, ensuring the freshest flavor. The farmer
and vendor profiles will allow customers to learn more about the
local businesses they are supporting and feel a connection with the
people who grow the healthy, natural products they purchase for
their families. The �Choose Local� tags will also inform customers
about the benefits of purchasing local products, which include:
Local products often taste better � Buying from local purveyors
means food reaches consumers� plates faster, maintaining a high
level of freshness and a better taste profile. Local products
protect the environment � Local products don�t need to travel far
from the farm to the market, resulting in lower transportation
costs and less reliance on fossil fuels. Local products are
typically sustainably grown � The smaller, local growers and
farmers Wild Oats sources from employ sustainable and organic
farming techniques, ultimately preserving the land and soil, and
reducing pesticide contamination in our air, soil and water. Local
products support local economies � Buying products from local
growers, farmers and food artisans keeps money in the community,
supporting the local economy. For more information about Wild Oats
Markets� local products and to find the Wild Oats nearest you,
please visit www.wildoats.com. About Wild Oats Wild Oats Markets,
Inc. is a nationwide chain of natural and organic foods markets in
the U.S. and Canada. With more than $1.2 billion in annual sales,
the Company operates 109 natural foods stores in 23 states and
British Columbia, Canada. The Company�s markets include: Wild Oats
Marketplace, Henry�s Farmers Market, Sun Harvest and Capers
Community Markets. For more information, please visit the Company�s
website at www.wildoats.com.
Wild Oats Markets (NASDAQ:OATS)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Mai 2024 até Jun 2024
Wild Oats Markets (NASDAQ:OATS)
Gráfico Histórico do Ativo
De Jun 2023 até Jun 2024