<p>Michigan-based retailer Meijer Grocers is zeroing in on local suppliers, announcing a 5% purchase increase from Midwest farms this year. Nearly one third of the fruits and vegetables available in Meijer stores are produced in the company’s five-state distribution area. These local products represent 75 different fruits and vegetables from 85 individual local farms. The purchases are part of the company’s “Home Grown” initiative, through which Meijer has invested in excess of $60 million in local economies.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Produce Director Mark Stevenson stated: “We take our first shipment of local produce from farms in May and continue through September. It's a program we are extremely proud of, and one that is very gratifying in terms of supporting local farmers. But it's not simply an economic move on our part; it's also about quality since some of the best tasting, highest-quality produce comes directly from the farms in the states where we have Meijer stores.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Meijer is the region’s largest purchaser of locally grown apples and has increased its volume by 10% since 2009. It also bolstered watermelon purchases by 20%, sweet corn by 18% and russet potatoes by 30%. The company looks to continue supporting local farmers with a spectrum of different crops over the next year.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">For more information about the program visit www.meijer.com</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
