Wakefern Food Corp., the Northeast’s largest retailer-owned cooperative, officially opened applications Monday for its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between regional family farms and the shelves of popular supermarket banners including ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace and The Fresh Grocer.
The summit, scheduled for July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison, serves as a high-stakes “pitch day” for small and mid-sized growers looking to break into the retail space.
Wakefern—which also operates Dearborn Market, Gourmet Garage, Fairway Market, Morton Williams and Di Bruno Bros.—is specifically seeking growers headquartered within its nine-state footprint (NJ, NY, PA, CT, DE, MD, MA, RI, and NH).
“Wakefern’s Local Produce Supplier Summit is a meaningful way to connect with small and mid-size growers,” Travis Riepenhoff, group vice president of Fresh Procurement for Wakefern, said. “Like many of the growers we work with, our Wakefern members represent family-owned food businesses that have operated for several generations. We want growers to know that we are committed to delivering the freshest produce from their farms to our customers’ tables.”
The summit isn’t just a networking event; it has a history of forging long-term supply chain partnerships. Past participants, such as the Pennsylvania-based Hess Brother’s Fruit Company, have successfully transitioned from the summit to becoming key suppliers for Wakefern’s private label, Bowl & Basket.
“It means a lot to work with a retailer that supports local growers and understands the care that goes into producing high‑quality fruit,” Mattie Leid, head of sales for Hess Brother’s said.
How to Apply
Farmers and produce suppliers interested in joining the Wakefern network have a limited window to submit their credentials:
- Application Period: March 9 – April 8, 2026 (30 days)
- Platform: Applications must be submitted via the RangeMe platform.
- The Event: Qualified applicants will be invited to Edison on July 15 for panels, presentations, and one-on-one meetings with Wakefern procurement teams and member families.
By sourcing locally, Wakefern aims to reduce “food miles” and ensure that New Jersey shoppers have access to produce harvested at peak ripeness from nearby fields.
