Acme Reaffirms Commitment to Local Growers

Acme Markets paid tribute to the work and contributions of local Delaware farmers last week at its store in Hockessin, Del. In attendance at the mid-morning event were Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and Secretary of Agriculture Ed Kee. As part of the occasion, Markell proclaimed Aug. 12, 2010, “Bob Minner Day” in honor of Dover, Del., farmer Bob Minner, who has supplied the state with fresh local produce for 40 years.

“Acme is committed to providing our customers with high-quality produce, and it doesn’t get any fresher than what we get from working with local farmers,” said Dan Sanders, president of the Malvern, Pa.-based chain. “It is the hard work and dedication by local farmers like Bob that enable us to meet the demands of our customers, and more importantly, allow everyone to feel good about supporting farmers and keeping money in the community. Bob is an institution, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.”

“Agriculture is a critical industry to our state and an important employer for so many families,” noted Markell. “This is a great example of a healthy relationship. Getting locally grown items on the shelves of stores this size improves the health of our economy. Our farmers’ fresh produce, in turn, improves the health of these stores’ customers.”

Earlier in the year, Acme bowed its “Locally Harvested” initiative -- a commitment to deliver high-quality, fresh produce. In partnership with over 45 local farmers, the program has enabled the grocer to boost its locally grown produce inventory by over 25 percent from last year, while providing shoppers the convenience of being able to purchase farm-fresh produce at their neighborhood grocery store.

“Working with local growers is a win-win for all those involved, and I know first-hand how satisfying it is for us to be able to work together to provide the community with the freshest produce available,” said Acme category manager Jay Schneider, who has worked with Minner for the past decade.

Acme Markets, a company of Minneapolis-based Supervalu, operates 123 stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland, employing over 16,000 associates.