Wakefern's Pledged Devotion to Local Procurement
Wakefern Food Corp, the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, recently held a Produce Local Supplier Summit at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center. The event featured special presentations by Wakefern leaders in produce sourcing and quality assurance, panels with co-op members who operate ShopRite stores, and industry leaders and local suppliers.
The summit aimed to provide a platform for local suppliers to showcase their products and meet with Wakefern's produce procurement teams. To be considered, suppliers must apply through Wakefern’s Local Wellness Supplier Summit application process, which for 2026 opened on July 22 and runs through August 12 via the RangeMe platform. The program targets suppliers headquartered in Wakefern’s operating states who offer wellness-focused products such as clean-label, organic, plant-based, or functional foods, beverages, and household goods.
Selected finalists will have the opportunity to pitch directly to Wakefern’s merchandising team, and winners earn at least one-year placement in select Wakefern stores like ShopRite and Price Rite Marketplace. There is potential for expansion to other banners, including ShopRite, Price Rite, The Fresh Grocer, Fairway Market, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Di Bruno Bros.
Through this initiative, Wakefern offers several resources to emerging suppliers, including direct exposure to Wakefern’s buyers, opportunities to pitch products in person, and a pathway to shelf placement and regional brand expansion. The summit also supports small and local businesses by prioritizing suppliers from the communities it serves and encouraging applicants to highlight certifications, unique selling points, and mission-driven company stories.
In addition to the summit, Wakefern offers resources to help small businesses succeed in a big business world, utilizing their marketing, logistics, and merchandising services. The cooperative appreciates the commitment to quality from local family farms and hopes to bring more family farms and local grower entrepreneurs into their cooperative.
The summer promotion puts the spotlight on some of the local family farms that Wakefern works with, including Donio Farms, Heilig Orchards, and Macrie Bros. Blueberry Farm. Attendees had the chance to take part in "speed meetings" with existing suppliers to learn more about working with Wakefern.
As consumers continue to prioritize sustainability and local products, Wakefern is focusing on the organics category, launching an organic greenhouse strawberry program in 2023 and working with growers like Little Leaf Farms for year-round, local, and pesticide-free lettuce.
Other retailers are also focusing on sustainability and local products. The 10 Most Sustainable Grocers of 2025 have shown industry leadership in sustainability practices. Many of these growers represent the third, fourth, and fifth generations of their family businesses, much like Wakefern members represent multi-generational grocery businesses.
Walmart's Open Call 2025 applications are live, offering entrepreneurs a chance to pitch Walmart and Sam's Club buyers with products made, grown, or assembled in the U.S. for a shot at national distribution. Meijer's new Independence Market in Michigan features a large local assortment, restaurant stand, outdoor patio, and everyday groceries.
In conclusion, local suppliers should submit a product application via the RangeMe online platform by the deadline. They should be prepared to showcase product certifications, retail history, and company mission. If selected as a finalist, they should participate in the pitch process. By doing so, they can benefit from Wakefern’s support for local and wellness-oriented brands through product placement and potential brand growth opportunities.
- By submitting their product application through the RangeMe online platform before the deadline, local suppliers can aim for a one-year placement in select Wakefern stores like ShopRite and Price Rite Marketplace, and potentially expand to other banners such as The Fresh Grocer, Fairway Market, Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Di Bruno Bros.
- Attendees at Wakefern's Produce Local Supplier Summit had the opportunity to learn more about working with Wakefern by taking part in "speed meetings" with existing suppliers, and to showcase their products and certifications to Wakefern's produce procurement teams.
