supermarket
Food Marketing Institute Reports Rise to Conservation Challenge by Grocery Industry
By Lisa Carvin, Freelance Correspondent
10/01/2007
In a recent interview with Bill Greer, of the Media Relations Department of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Supermarket Green News discussed nationwide consumer trends in green. FMI is located in Arlington, Virginia, near the legislative heartbeat of our nation’s Capitol.
Clearly, the grocery industry at large has not turned a deaf ear to pundits’ pleas that big business do its share to keep our fragile planet green:
SMGN: What do you find grocery chains to be doing on a widespread basis domestically, if anything, to conserve energy and/or preserve the environment?
FMI: There are a lot of different things retailers are doing. They are very cognizent of consumer needs. Sanitation is very important. Some steam clean their shopping carts on a regular basis. Some clean with soap and water. Other stores provide hand sanitizers. Others provide cloths to fit over cart handles. These are held in place by velcro. They’re removable and can be washed and re-used.
SMGN: Approximately how much money is being spent annually on this cleanup effort? Will this affect U.S. food prices?
FMI: I can’t tell you exactly what the costs are. I don’t have the actual figures. But sanitation seems to be part of the regular cost of doing business rather than something [incidental] that will be tacked onto grocery prices.
Mr. Greer’s office went on to provide us with market research data compiled by the Harris Poll, which was conducted in the United States between June 5th and 11th among 2,372 adults of varying race, gender, education, regions and economic backgrounds.
Although 56% of respondents claim to be “unsure” whether their local supermarkets have environmentally-friendly programs in place, 28% claim with certainty that the stores do, indeed. Only 16% cited a definite, “No.”
| Yes | 28% |
| No | 16% |
| Not Sure | 56% |
Plus, the study indicates consumer savvy, meaning that grocery outlets are far more accountable to customers than ever. More than half of consumers say that it is highly likely that they would do their part toward conservation by shopping in the following manner:
Will purchase very likely % |
Will purchase somewhat likely |
|
|---|---|---|
| High-efficiency (energy-saving) light bulbs | 66 |
26 |
| Locally-grown products | 61 |
33 |
| Products with recycled content (plastic, paper, packaging) | 55 |
38 |
| Rechargeable batteries | 48 |
34 |
| Environmentally friendly cleaning products | 44 |
44 |
| Reusable shopping bags | 42 |
37 |
Sustainable seafood (that is, where fish that is caught is replenished) |
38 |
38 |
| Organic products | 27 |
38 |
The report goes on to say:
“Many retailers are starting to use local sourcing as a differentiation strategy. Independent operators, especially, are able to leverage their offerings of local products by emphasizing community ties and family ownership. In one example, Heinen’s, located in Cleveland, OH, estimates that during their peak season in August and September at least half the volume displayed in their produce aisles will be harvested a few miles away. Much of the produce will picked in the morning and arrives in the store the same day.
Other examples of cutting-edge local-sourcing strategies are being spearheaded by Wild Oats, that just kicked off its ‘Eat Local’ campaign that strives to make a connection between producer and shopper by not just selling local foods, but telling a story along with it. Wal-Mart is showcasing a monthly ‘Local Farmer’ campaign to get shoppers better acquainted with their local producers. Slater’s Great American Supermarket in Cairo, NY is offering a variety of locally grown or produced foods, including local pasture raised poultry and grass-fed meats. The chain is helping family farms expand their audience from outside of just farmers markets.”
Buy local. Recycle. Clean and sanitize. It is evident from the industry expert’s information that both consumers and the grocery chains nationwide that service them and us are not indifferent. Quitethe contrary, they are drastically stepping up to the challenge to insist upon optimal health conditions surrounding the harvesting, transport, storage, and sale of grocery product(s) and to conserve precious natural resources for generations to come.