As the National Small Business Month marches on, the focus on local purchasing intensifies with a surprising revelation - even big box retailers like Walmart are stocking up on home-grown products, showcasing the might of small-scale American enterprise. According to an ABC15 Smart Shopper report, Arizona-based EverKrisp Vegetables Inc. is celebrating over half a century of farming, with co-owner Abbie Etchart Fraser stating, "Our grandpa started EverKrisp Vegetables in 1972, and myself and my brothers are the third generation of local Arizona family farming."
Economies of localization seem to be driving down costs for consumers. Fry's Food Expert, Dawn Baker, tells ABC15 that Fry's can sell cabbage at "99 cents a pound for cabbage" due to local sourcing. Similarly, Phoenix's Bundle x Joy, which offers allergy- and gut-friendly dog food, recently secured a coveted spot on Walmart shelves. "We've made it simple, for less than $20, $17.97, you can get everything that you need," CEO Jessica Berger said in an ABC15 interview. And it's not just about the pet products; even the local Arizona-made Kettle Heroes artisan popcorn and My Nana’s tortilla chips are breaking into Walmart's lineup.
Walmart is strengthening its local business ties through programs such as Road to Open Call, encouraging small businesses to pitch their American-made products. According to Walmart Store Manager Matt Carter, "Walmart really believes in small business, and we love to be a part of our communities." The company is set to host a major Open Call recruitment event on October 7–8, as reported by ABC15. The push toward homemade goods doesn't come without its challenges, though, as Jim Rounds, President & CEO of Rounds Consulting Group, cautions in a statement obtained by ABC15 that small businesses may still be affected by international tariffs, as supplies often come from overseas.
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The sentiments of the shopping public seem positive, as shoppers indicate their preference for locally grown products. "Yay! Cilantro, local!" exclaimed Mary Meade of Phoenix, while Bill Lawson of Phoenix added, "Everybody's trimming their budget." These insights echo the greater narrative pulsing through Arizona – a narrative of economic prudence met with community support, told through the aisles of big box stores that have embraced the underdog spirit of small business America, as noted in ABC15 reports.
