Corporate Culture...

Hold onto your shopping carts—Wal-Mart has picked up on the locavore trend and is now touting locally grown produce in its stores. According to the The Associated Press, the company will spend $400 million this year on produce grown within state boundaries. Apparently, Wal-Mart is implementing a local-food buying program that, they say, “reflects our ever-important goal to provide consumers with quality, affordable, home-grown agricultural selections.”

But, as The Ethicurean reported, that’s not the only goal. Wal-Mart gains the same benefits that the rest of us do from buying local—reduced fuel expenses. According to The Ethicurean’s recent post: “Indeed, Wal-Mart’s Checkout blog last week bragged that by optimizing the 12 million pounds of peaches it sources from 18 different states and distributing the product locally, ‘Wal-Mart saved 672,000 food miles and 112,000 gallons of diesel fuel…[equaling] more than $1.4 million.’” 

Still, as Wal-Mart extends their purchasing power into local markets, familiar concerns are popping up: will the company squeeze out small local farms by buying in bulk from larger producers? And, will they pay a fair price for the produce? They’re already known for pressuring suppliers for the lowest price. On the other hand, what other store has the influence of Wal-Mart to educate consumers about seasonal foods and the price benefits of eating local?

What do you think? Is Wal-Mart’s expansion into local farms a net concern or a net benefit?

Photo from Wal-Mart's Sustainable Food Program page where you can learn more about their local food commitment.