Wegmans Promotes Organic Farming
Now in its second year of production, Wegmans Organic Research Farm in Canandaigua, N.Y., was recently swarming with the media, invited by the grocer to witness “their great experiment.”
Wegmans Food Markets developed the 50-acre site to learn the outs of organic farming, so it could pass on that knowledge to local growers. Although organic vegetables and fruit are typically more expensive, Danny Wegman, president of the 71-unit grocer, said his stores have seen increased demand for organic produce in recent years.
The Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer contracts with more than 800 farmers to supply its stores with locally grown foods, but very few grow organically. Organic sales have slowed with the economic downturn, but it still remains the fastest-growing segment in produce, said Dave Corsi, vice president of produce and floral operations for Wegmans.
Wegmans is hoping that through education and support, some local farmers will convert even portions of their farms to organic farming. Corsi’s department currently manages the farm with eight employees overseeing the day-to-day operations.
The Wegman family is hoping to help area farmers become organic growers by understanding what it costs, what they will get out of it and what the problems are. "How could we ask our growers to go off in this direction without us knowing how to do it?" Wegman asked.
Organic farming, the Wegman family has learned, however, is not easy. The biggest challenge so far are getting enough nutrients into the soil and waiting the two or three years required to yield a mature crop.
The Wegmans Organic Research Farm is also a way to continue promoting the grocer’s “Eat Well, Live Well” way of life.
Now in its second year of productions, Wegmans Organic Research Farm in Canandaigua, N.Y., was recently swarming with the media, invited by the grocer family to witness “their great experiment.”
Wegmans developed the 50-acre site to learn the outs of organic farming, so it could pass on that knowledge to local growers. Although organic vegetables and fruit are typically more expensive, Danny Wegman, president of the 71-store grocer, said his stores have seen an increased demand for organic produce in recent years.
The Rochester-based grocer contracts with more than 800 farmers to supply its stores with locally grown foods, but very few grow organically. Organic sales have slowed with the economic downturn, but it still remains the fastest-growing segment in produce, said Dave Corsi, vice president of produce and floral operations for Wegmans.
Wegmans is hoping that through education and support, some local farmers will convert even portions of their farms to organic farming. Corsi’s department currently manages the farm with eight employees overseeing the day-to-day operations.
The Wegman family is hoping to help area farmers become organic growers by understanding what it costs, what they will get out of it and what the problems are. "How could we ask our growers to go off in this direction without us knowing how to do it?" Wegman asked.
Organic farming, the Wegman family has learned, however, is not easy. The biggest challenge so far are getting enough nutrients into the soil and waiting the two or three years required to yield a mature crop.
The Wegmans Organic Research Farm is also a way to continue promoting the grocer’s “Eat Well, Live Well” way of life.