iTradeNetwork customers can now use Big Wheelbarrow to buy food from nearby producers. iTrade is the leading provider of end-to-end supply chain management for the perishable food industry. Thanks to this partnership, thousands of grocery stores in the United States and Canada can strengthen their supply chains, build stronger bonds with producers, and demonstrate stronger pledges to local products and economies.
With Big Wheelbarrow, iTrade customers can manage an array of nearby farms and producers that previously were too small to work with consistently. For grocers, the Big Wheelbarrow platform eliminates the additional overhead to work with smaller producers, and purchased products can be delivered directly to stores or to a distribution center, often the next day or sometimes the same day.
Local food is a $19 billion industry, according to marketing research firm Packaged Facts, the majority of which is generated by small farms and producers. Producers in the 2 to 20-acre range typically do not have access to grocery chains due to their size, but consumer demand for small, local producers is stronger than ever. According to the FMI 2022 Power of Produce Report, 56% of consumers want more local fruits and vegetables in their produce departments. This partnership makes it possible to help grocers create local and hyperlocal offerings that tailor local products to specific cities, even neighborhoods.
To get started, contact your iTrade Networks account manager or contact us for more information about our partnership and how it works.