Walmart highlights local growers

WILLARD — Local Walmart leaders recently joined the owners of Wiers Farm in Williard for a tour of the family-owned farm and packing operation. Wiers Farm supplies food to Walmart, providing squash, peppers, cucumbers, sweet corn, herbs, leafy greens and more. "Their partnership with Walmart ensures that customers have access to affordable, healthy and locally grown foods while supporting business growth in the region," according to a statement from Walmart. "The Willard operation alone provides fresh items to more than 140 Walmart stores throughout Ohio." This event, as told by the statement: • Helped showcase "Walmart's commitment to supporting locally grown produce and the entrepreneurs who make it possible" • Brought together local growers, business stakeholders and policymakers to "celebrate the positive impact of locally sourced food on communities across Ohio and beyond" • Re-emphasized Walmart's commitment to "supporting locally grown produce and the entrepreneurs behind it" Bio blast Walmart provided some history about Wiers Farm: Founded in 1896 by Dutch immigrant Henry Wiers on 5 acres in Celeryville near Willard, the farm has grown through multiple generations, adding irrigation systems, expanding acreage and launching Dutch Maid Produce, later Dutch Maid Logistics, to control transportation and distribution. Now in its fifth and sixth generations, Wiers Farm cultivates more than 45 crops across 2,500 to 3,000 acres in Ohio and Florida. The farm manages everything from seed to shipping, supported by strong food safety and sustainability practices. With a logistics fleet of 200 trucks and 300 refrigerated trailers, Wiers Farm has become both a cornerstone of the Celeryville-Willard community and a leading produce supplier across the eastern U.S. "At Wiers Farm, we are proud to continue our family's tradition of growing fresh, healthy produce right here in Ohio," Wiers Farm president Ben Wiers said. "Partnering with Walmart allows us to share the fruits of our labor with families across the state while supporting our local community and workforce. We're grateful for Walmart's commitment to local farmers and look forward to continuing to grow together."