BI-LO Launches Campaign to Promote Local Farmers and Produce

As summer heats up, BI-LO stores are ripe with an abundance of fresh, flavorful local produce. The crisp, cool program in South Carolina seeks to educate customers about the benefits and variety of produce options that are available throughout the summer and into the fall, thanks to local farmers across the state.

The company’s local produce initiative is designed to help showcase the farmers BI-LO partners with to provide locally grown produce. The produce is of the highest quality, freshness and sustainability – all major criteria for any Walter’s produce sold at BI-LO. To ensure that the local produce meets Walter’s high standards of quality and freshness, it is inspected three times: at the farm, at the warehouse and at the store.

BI-LO ensures that its local produce is left untouched until it’s fully ripened, packed with the maximum amount of flavorful, natural nutrients. This attention to detail results in produce that’s sweeter, juicier, longer lasting and extremely healthy. The company only works with farmers that yield the best, most consistently fresh produce.

“Nearly 50 percent of BI-LO’s produce comes from farmers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee,” said Bob Denomme, Director of Produce with BI-LO. “Throughout the summer months we hope our customers will taste first-hand our extensive selection of high-quality, fresh and affordable local produce.”

Hot days, humid nights and rich soil make South Carolina one of the best places in the country to grow produce. BI-LO’s local produce campaign highlights partnerships with local farmers in South Carolina, including: Phil Sandifer Farm of Blackville, S.C., Randy Johnson Farm of Pageland, S.C., who grow watermelons, Rawls Farm of Pelion, S.C., who grow greens, Titan Farms of Ridge Spring, S.C., who grow peaches, Coosaw Farms of Fairfax, S.C., Hillard Farms of Santee, S.C., who grow mustard seeds, turnips, collard greens and rutabagas, Northside Greenhouse of Travelers Rest, S.C., who grow flowers and John’s Island Charleston Farm of Johns Island, S.C., among many others.

In addition to the great quality and price benefits customers gained by buying local, they are also helping out the local economy and protecting the environment by purchasing locally grown produce. Selecting this produce not only supports the farmers, but also the distributors and drivers that transport the product from the fields to the stores. On average, trucks carrying local produce emit four times less emissions than trucks carrying produce grown in the global market, so the miles to deliver the product are reduced by transporting local produce, lessening greenhouse emissions and driver’s reliance on oil for gas.

Nation’s Largest One-Day Charity Golf Tournament

The BI-LO Charity Classic, the largest one-day charity golf tournament in the United States, is being opened for public participation for the first time in its 25-year history. The Charity Classic takes place on more than ten golf courses throughout the Upstate of South Carolina and Southwestern North Carolina and raises funds for hundreds of charitable organizations.

Each individual player sponsorship spot costs $850 and includes 18 holes of golf at a first-class course and invitations for the player and a guest to the Charity Classic parties the evenings of Sunday, June 7 and Monday, June 8.

Players and a guest will attend the Pairings Party and Auction at 6 p.m. on Sunday. On Monday, participants will play a round at one of the Charity Classic courses, teeing off at 10 a.m. Following their game, they will attend the Awards Banquet that evening at 5:30 p.m. Each player will also have the opportunity to designate a portion of their player sponsorship funds to a BI-LO Charities charity of their choice.

Along with enjoying fantastic golf and parties, participation in the Charity Classic provides the unique opportunity to network with hundreds of business professionals and golf enthusiasts from around the county. Last year, more than 1,400 golfers from 35 different states participated in the Charity Classic and raised more than $5.6 million for deserving organizations.

“We are very excited to open the tournament up to the public this year,” said Carol Browning, Director of BI-LO Charities. “The funds raised by the Charity Classic provide support for so many important organizations, and it is great to now be able to invite members of the community to join us in this effort.”

Each of the parties will be at the Hartness Estate in Greenville, S.C. in an air-conditioned tent that is more than 50,000 square-feet. The parties will feature world-class fare, including an enticing menu based on the 2009 Charity Classic theme.

This year’s courses are spread across the Upstate of South Carolina and Southwestern North Carolina and include some of the nation’s top-ranked and most stunning golf facilities, such as the Cliffs at Glassy, the Reserve at Lake Keowee and Bright’s Creek Golf Club.