Supermarkets in the Delaware region are tapping into the recent buy local movement to lure customers into their stores.
Giant Food Stores regional sales director Al Rivero says his company buys from 63 different farms in the region - 14 of those located in the First State - and has been buying locally since the 1980's.
Rivero says buying from local farmers is advantageous for his company, his customers and his suppliers.
"We try to deliver the freshest possible produce to our customers," said Rivero. "The benefit comes in being an open and honest retailer to make sure that our customers know exactly where their produce is coming from."
Rivero says buying local also has other advantages.
“Minimizing those trucks running across country and having them locally right there where it’s within a 15 to 25 mile radius gets the product not only to the stores fresher but it does minimize our carbon footprint,” said Rivero.
While local farm stands and markets remain great options for purchasing fresh produce, research shows that 66 percent of produce is sold through supermarkets and other retail store outlets.
Other large area grocers, such as Acme and Safeway, also buy locally grown produce, and ShopRite claims a more than 50 year track record of support for local family farms.