WalMart Local Vegetables

Submitted by fyl on 20 March, 2008 - 16:44.
The Los Angeles Times has an interesting article about WalMart, working with US-AID, helping local farmers produce fresh produce for them. Clearly, there are some pluses and some minuses for the locals in this formula.
In Guatemala, Wal-Mart this week unveiled a program aimed at linking more mom-and-pop growers to its supply chain. In partnership with the U.S. Agency for International Development and two nonprofit groups, the company plans to train 600 farmers over the next three years to supply produce for its local stores.
That sounds like a plus. But, what happens to the other retailers—the ones that are not Palí and such?
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The same good things

Submitted by ATZ on 20 March, 2008 - 17:05.

The other...non-Pali, and such as you put it...will also be able to buy from these same farmers if the want to. This is a training program, not involuntary servitude.

The idea of the program is to build the local economy to supply rather than ship in. Good for all...farmer, store and consumer alike...and a bit of good for all in the world too. Saves food miles and fuel as well as helping build local agricultural infrastructure rather than relying on mega-growers a 1,000 miles away for veggies.

Not too much wrong with it....but than again I am not prone to see conspiracy plots in everything done by anything with more than 5 employees or the USAID (although I am sure some exist).

atz

ATZ

Good Things ATZ

Submitted by dirtbag on 20 March, 2008 - 21:34.

Well said. On the face of it, I always have wondered in the regional/local rural society in Ontario whereupon our summer weekends are spent(Northern Ontario) out of the city, to the cottage, why doesn't the local Grocer (A Franchise) stock local produce when all that you mentioned and surmised makes more sense. I'm not altogether daft..I do know why..however, I have always wondered where the logic is, especially as for the shortsighted-ness of local politicos representing the said area.