Wakefern seeks Northeast growers for produce supplier summit

Wakefern Food Corp. is looking to bring more locally grown produce into its 380-plus supermarkets throughout the Northeast.

As part of the Keasbey-based cooperative’s Produce Local Supplier Summit, farmers and growers have an opportunity to connect with procurement teams and explore potential retail partnerships. Wakefern’s banners include ShopRite, Fairway Market, Price Rite Marketplace, the Fresh Grocer and Morton Williams.

According to the co-op, applicants must be headquartered in states where Wakefern has supermarkets locations:

• New Jersey
• New York
• Pennsylvania
• Connecticut
• Delaware
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Rhode Island
• New Hampshire

Those who qualify will receive an invitation to participate in a July 15 networking summit at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center in Edison. According to Wakefern, that one-day event will include presentations on produce sourcing and quality assurance. It will also feature panels with members, industry leaders and local suppliers.

Additionally, attendees can meet with growers who work with Wakefern members to learn more about the arrangement, the co-op said.

The company will accept applications to participate through April 8. Click here for more information.

How do you like them apples?

Wakefern Group Vice President of Fresh Procurement Travis Riepenhoff described the summit as “a meaningful way to connect with small and mid-size growers and bring their high-quality produce to our stores.”

“Like many of the growers we work with, our Wakefern members represent family-owned businesses that have operated for several generations. We appreciate the hard work and dedication that goes into running a family farm, and we want growers to know that we are committed to being farm fresh here and delivering the freshest produce from their farms to our customers’ tables,” he said.

This year marks the second annual summit focused on produce.

Wakefern has hosted similar events in the past to find new locally made products or suppliers for its award-winning private label lines. Previous winners have provided new store brand sauces and spices. There’s even been restaurant-quality frozen meals with vegetarian, plant-based and gluten-free options.

Past participant Hess Brothers Fruit Co. credits the produce supplier summit with strengthening partnerships that support local agriculture. The Lancaster, Pa.-based, family-owned company supplies apples for Wakefern’s private label Bowl & Basket line.

Hess Brothers head of sales Mattie Leid said, “Wakefern’s cooperative of family-owned supermarkets truly shares our company ethos. It means a lot to work with a retailer that supports local growers and understands the care that goes into producing high-quality fruit for families across the region.”