Comments on: Wal-Mart marketing to locavores?

By: ammc

ammc — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 12:27:26 +0000

I go to the farmers market just as much for the environment it creates as anything. I like being outside, I like seeing what’s new, I like the people, I like teaching my kid(s) where food comes from. Those are some of the same reasons I avoid Walmart. The people are rude, it’s crowded with rabid shoppers, the store is unkempt and sometimes downright dirty.

By: Derik

Derik — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:59:11 +0000

Shenandoah Growers ship all their herbs straight from the facility on Mountain valley Rd. I worked there for a summer when I was in school cutting herbs and packing them for shipping. They run on a tight schedule and insist on shipping everything the day it’s cut.
It’s quit and operation. If you haven’t seen it they recently finished what is the first of a 3 phase construction of new state of the art green houses that cover something like 5 acres each. All organic locally grown from seed to shipment.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:47:34 +0000

They’d have to do a whole lot more than bring in some local produce to start getting my business again.

By: mikekeane

mikekeane — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 23:44:43 +0000

They must cater to us! the people have the power. your dollar is a vote. i still don’t plan on voting for walmart just because they address just one of my concerns. unless i really really need something at 4 am. i’m glad though to see these ideas trickling up.

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 22:42:49 +0000

I wonder how local those herbs really are… Do they get shipped out to a distribution center and then get shipped back into town?

By: Bubby

Bubby — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 20:24:44 +0000

Mike:
More like we’ll build your greenhouse, sell you the plants, fertilizer, put you on a payment plan, and buy your tomatoes…wander where I got that idea?

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:31:44 +0000

Year 1
Walmart: “We want to buy every tomato you produce.”
Farmer: “Hurray! Thank you very much!”

Year 3
Walmart: “We want more tomatoes.”
Farmer: “That will require investments of more land, more equipment, more people, and more time. But okay, sure.”

Year 10
Walmart: “We’re going to pay you half as much for your tomatoes this year. If you don’t like it, good luck selling them elsewhere.”
Farmer: “You suck.”

Obviously that’s exaggerated for effect. But when you dance with the devil, you don’t get to call the tune.

By: David Miller

David Miller — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 18:15:06 +0000

Bubby

Exactly

By: Bubby

Bubby — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:12:57 +0000

Anyone try to do business with Walmart? They tell you what you will be paid for your product…take it or leave it.

And when they have enough farmers (who didn’t pay attention in math class) enrolled, they’ll dry up the farmers market, just like they shut down mainstreet.

But we must kneel before the divine Free Market !