Posts tagged ‘Agriculture’
August 3 is National Watermelon Day
There are few other tastes just right for the sweltering summer heat than the fresh bite of a watermelon slice. Made up of 92 percent water, watermelons are not only ideal for a hot day, but their multitude of health benefits make them an important part of a healthy diet. Through our partnership with Tuskegee University, local, small farmers are expected to supply our stores in the Southern region with 250,000 watermelons this year. With programs like this one, we’re helping our customers have access to a wider variety of fresher, locally grown produce and collaborating with farmers to sell more of their products and benefit their businesses.
Celebrate National Watermelon Day by following these easy steps to choosing the perfect watermelon.
August 3, 2012 Walmart Green Room 1 comment
Yielding results for local farmers
Here’s some food for thought: We have pledged to sell $1 billion in food sourced from one million small- and medium-sized farmers worldwide. Not only will this allow us to bring locally sourced and fresher produce to our stores in the communities close to where it is grown, but it will also help us improve farmers’ incomes by 10 to 15 percent. As of today, locally grown fruits and vegetables represent more than 10 percent of all produce sold in our U.S. stores.
Tell us your thoughts on what else can be done to help these farmers around the world.
July 17, 2012 Walmart Green Room 2 comments
From field to fork
Few things are as idyllic as a scenic drive through farm country – past amber wheat fields, old barns, windmills and green pastures with grazing livestock. It’s an image many perceive as the typical American farm. In reality, agriculture has changed. Continue reading
July 16, 2012 Tres Bailey Leave a comment
July is National Blueberry Month
Summer is the perfect time to find great produce, particularly blueberries. Not only are they a popular local crop – they’re grown in 38 states – but they’re also widely regarded for their health benefits. As the world’s largest grocer, Walmart has an opportunity to help ensure that blueberries – and other nutritious foods – are around for future generations.
July 12, 2012 Walmart Green Room Leave a comment
‘We can keep it here for everyone’
Hundreds of years old, redwood trees are the tallest in the world. The places where they grow are special to the people who live nearby, but also to people all over the United States. Watch how the redwoods in California’s Salmon Creek Forest – and similar sites across the country – are being protected for future generations.
July 2, 2012 Walmart Green Room Leave a comment
Green Wheat
I was out there, hands in the dirt, in a Kansas wheat field.
I wanted to see first-hand how we could work with farmers to cut back on chemicals and fertilizers that can harm the environment. I also wanted to connect with our suppliers and their farmers to learn how we could partner to cut back on carbon emissions through practices that help farmers use just the right amount of fertilizer and maximize yields. Continue reading
June 26, 2012 Robert Kaplan Leave a comment
Feeding the nine billion
How will we protect our land and water resources, and simultaneously, feed the world? By 2050, we expect the world’s population to increase by nearly two billion people, to nine billion.
How do we ensure that our planet is able to feed the nine billion, especially when hunger is already so prevalent? Continue reading
June 21, 2012 Andrea Thomas 1 comment
Father and son grow the future
Meet Al Hooks and his son, Demetrius. Their Alabama farm has been in the family for more than 100 years, and Al will be able to pass it on to his son one day. Al and Demetrius grow and supply kale, mustard and strawberries to Walmart stores in their area. Last year, Walmart increased the amount of locally grown produce it sells in the U.S. by 97 percent, and partnerships helped make that happen. Watch how Tuskegee University played a crucial role.
May 17, 2012 Walmart Green Room Leave a comment
Growing change in cotton
Farm workers from the Better Cotton project in Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu, India, where the sowing and picking of cotton is primarily done by women. Walmart is working with Better Cotton, placing special emphasis on women’s development.
For millions of people in some of the world’s poorest countries, cotton is an important way of making a living. Continue reading
March 27, 2012 Lise Melvin Leave a comment
New Orleans has growing power, too
On Tuesday, The Green Room highlighted Growing Power, an inspirational national nonprofit that is training others in sustainable farming in both urban and rural areas.
Today, we highlight one of its training centers: Our School at Blair Grocery, with an excerpt from the school’s outstanding blog. Continue reading
March 15, 2012 Walmart Green Room 1 comment
