Wal-Mart's Peachy Deal

Wal-Mart plans to buy more local produce and that's helping farmers market their products. The News On 6's Emory Bryan reports with all the uncertainty that farmers have growing a crop, it's nice for them to know they'll have a place to sell what they harvest.

Farmer Kent Livesay grows peaches in Porter and he used to only to sell them in Porter. Now his peaches are sold in Wal-Mart stores all over northeastern Oklahoma.

"We've been selling to them for 12 years and they seem to be really supportive of purchasing not only our peaches, but the other crops we grow," said Livesay.

Livesay's Porter Peaches are only one of locally grown farm products sold by Wal-Mart, which has plans to sell more Oklahoma fruits and vegetables.

"We are now taking our commitment to a new level, by pledging to grow our partnership with Oklahoma farmers," said Angela Stoner of Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart buys and sells produce from all over the world, but Oklahoma stores have mushrooms grown in Miami, Tabouli mix made in Bristow, corn from Bixby and blackberries grown in Yale.

The state Department of Agriculture has long encouraged farmers to sell their "Made in Oklahoma" products to Oklahoma stores.

"To know they'll have a steady supply of products grown here in the state, that they can market and add not only to their bottom line, but to Wal-Marts bottom line as well," said Steve Thompson of the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture.

At the Livesay Orchard, business is steady and with the Peach Festival approaching, it will only get busier. Livesay says there are plenty of peaches this year and the quality is good.

"Not only are these a little better flavored varieties than the June crop, but the dryer weather improves the flavor some," said Livesay.

And having plenty of peaches and plenty of places to sell them is what's keeping Livesay's operation going. Livesay delivers directly to the store and says he likes the interaction with customers.

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