DUBLIN, CA - Ever heard the phrase, “buy local?” Those in the retail industry certainly have, and buyers are increasingly putting their efforts toward curating a local selection for their shoppers. In iTradeNetwork’s latest venture, the solutions provider has partnered with local food platform Big Wheelbarrow. Together, they will be able to offer fresh products from small and mid-sized producers to thousands of grocery stores in the United States and Canada.

“This partnership is a significant move for iTradeNetwork to support hyperlocalization in the fresh supply chain,” said Amer Akhtar, Chief Executive Officer at iTradeNetwork. “With this exciting collaboration, our retail customers can meet consumer demand for local, more sustainable products; reduce shrink and food waste; and hedge against supply chain shortfalls. Providing value to our smaller suppliers is equally important to us. Our networks will enable them to expand their business with existing customers and build new trading relationships with large retailers that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to. This is incredibly powerful.”

iTradeNetwork customers will now be able to trade with an array of nearby farms and producers that they did not previously have access to, a release explained. The Big Wheelbarrow platform eliminates the additional overhead to work with smaller producers. Additionally, purchased products can be delivered directly to stores or to a distribution center, often the next day or sometimes the same day.

Packaged Facts reports that local food is a $19 billion industry, the majority of which is generated by small farms and producers. Producers in the two- to 20-acre range typically do not have access to grocery chains due to their size, the release continued. FMI’s 2022 Power of Produce Report states that 56 percent of consumers want more local produce.

“One key thing about this partnership is that it helps eliminate the silo between the DSD and warehouse functions inside grocery chains,” said Sam Eder, Chief Executive Officer of Big Wheelbarrow. “Those functions sometimes compete unintentionally because they often don’t know what the other is doing. Our platform handles local DSD inventory and purchase data in real-time, with iTradeNetwork’s incredible suite of procurement solutions handling the important back end.”

For more information and comments from a producer, click here. ANUK will continue to keep a tab on this unique partnership, so stay tuned.

iTradeNetwork Big Wheelbarrow