thrifty foods, food retail

Our philosophyfor local/regional sourcing

• start with what is closest to home geographically

• look beyond if key, customer-required elements aren’t satisfied

We mean it when we say “We Pick BC First”

Apples to apples

• In many categories Thrifty Foods sources the best and highest grades that return the grower the most money.

• Thrifty Foods does not go after the lowest price or grade.

Onions

• We source the freshest and first dug yellow onions out of the Okanagan in May

• Everywhere else in the market has old crop from the US.

• Grower gambles on a good early crop and we reward him or her by paying a higher return for time and effort.

Asparagus

• We contract with an Asparagus grower in Creston in June even though this grower has a crop that lasts barely 2 weeks.

• We are a pivotal customer that he needs to make his property viable for both him and his family.

Buy Local

• In the Lower Mainland, deal with all the big growers: BC Fresh Houwelling Nurseries Windset Fraserland Organics BC Hothouse Villages and many more.

• From potatoes to cucumbers, onions to peppers and all the berries, bunches and bags of produce are sourced when ready.

Buy Local

• First of the season BC Hothouse Long English Cucumbers vs Mexican

• Same money retail, but half the size of late season Mexican product, but fresher.

• Put the BC sign on local produce and leave the buying decision up to the consumer.

Buy Local

• New Retail Support Centre in South Surrey

• Enables us to access many local suppliers to service our locations locally and on Vancouver Island more efficiently.

• The Centre has various holding rooms at different temperatures to maintain the integrity of fruit and vegetables until they are delivered at peak freshness to customers.

Buy Local

• Local Produce Manager in Tsawwassen is encouraged to buy direct from approved suppliers like Ed McKim, Krause Bros and Felix Farms

• We receive fresh daily plump strawberries, pearly white cauliflower, exquisite English peas, mature squash, sweet corn and myriad of little field crops.

Buy Local

• Gives a personal touch when the produce staff are explaining our buying practices to consumers

• Gives a direct connection between the consumer and the local land

Buy Local

• Our hard working farmers deserve a viable and sustainable career

• Buy local will nourish their families and descendents and provide long term benefits to BC.

• Thrifty Foods mantra bodes well for local growers

Promote BC produce

•Good for the grower, retailer and the economy.

•Every dollar spent in BC goes around up to nine times, but every dollar spent on imported produce goes in once and then is lost to our economy.