Indian's largest grocery retailer is making a commitment to buy and promote Indiana-grown produce. Wal-Mart has made a commitment to increase the amount of locally grown produce they sell in their 100 Indiana stores. Spokesman Jason Wetzel told HAT that buying local makes good sense, "You can offer a fresher product to your customers and, with lower transportation costs, you can offer a lower cost product." He said, on average, most produce travels over 1,500 miles before it reaches a consumer's home. Wal-Mart has set a goal of reducing that amount of transportation by offering more locally produced produce.
While the program is just getting underway, Wal-Mart shoppers like the local products being offered. In a Columbus, IN, Wal-Mart, when local cantaloupe and watermelons were offered, over 880 cantaloupes and 200 watermelons were sold within the first 24 hours. "Customers are responding very well to the buy Indiana logo," said Jason Wetzel.
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