Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee commends BJ’s local produce

Delaware Agriculture Secretary Ed Kee visited BJ’s Wholesale Club in Millsboro Aug. 17 to recognize and express appreciation for the Farm to Club Program. Kee met with local farmer Ray Vincent, Farm to Club representatives and BJ’s Wholesale Club management to discuss the program.

The program, which provides BJ’s members with quality, fresh produce from the state’s local farms, has been operating for two years and is operating in 15 states and in all four of the BJ’s Wholesale Clubs in Delaware. While there is no official standard to define “local,” BJ’s defines local as grown within the state.

Buying local produce benefits BJ’s members and their communities, and helps preserve local farms. Locally grown produce is picked at the peak of its flavor, and since the produce doesn’t have far to travel, its nutritional value and freshness are preserved. Buying local also helps the area’s economy by building up the local agricultural industry and helping keep money within the community.

Shown in the produce department at BJ’s are (l-r) farmer and supplier Ray Vincent, Ed Kee, Farm to Club buyer Dominic Viglione and Millsboro BJ’s Produce Manager John McHugh.