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Is there gold in the stories of local food artisans?

January 20, 2016Written by Tom Ryan

Sources: Instagram @wsparkmeadows, @wscolumbuscircle

While many consumers first find out about the stories of local food artisans at farmers markets or sites like Etsy, Williams-Sonoma for the fourth straight year will bring many to its stores as part of its monthly Artisans' Market program. The program, expanding this year to 75 stores, enables local purveyors of artisanal foods and beverages to showcase their wares in their stores. The Artisans' Markets have "come to serve as an incubator for small, local producers who have evolved and successfully scaled their production to serve the more than 240 Williams-Sonoma retail stores nationwide." A Portland-based start-up, Jacobsen Salt Co., first showed in 2012 and now has more than 35 exclusive products available in Williams-Sonoma's stores. The Artisans' Market program is also an extension of the retailer's "ongoing commitment to the artisan food community." For the fifth year in a row, Williams-Sonoma sponsored the Good Food awards, a national platform recognizing small batch food producers for environmental and social responsibility. "Williams-Sonoma has always been about building a sense of community around food and bringing the highest quality products to our customers," said Jean Armstrong, VP of brand marketing, in a statement. Many grocers are increasingly playing up local food purveyors as part of "buy local" initiatives. Kroger and Meijer have spots in stores for select products made in each store's state. Kroger holds "Discover Local" events where local food suppliers hand out samples. At Whole Foods Market, anywhere from 10 to 30 percent of the products on shelves come from local producers. In October, Whole Foods invited local growers and food artisans to meet with buyers for its newest store in St. Louis' Central West End neighborhood to support local buys for a new store that's set to open in April. "We love supporting local farmers, food artisans and producers who share our passion for quality products made from pure, simple ingredients," said Stefanie Garcia, Whole Foods Market Midwest local forager, in a press release at the time.

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