Posted 10:44 pm Wednesday, October 10, 2012
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FRESH Makes Texas-Sized Impression on Todd Staples
A recent visit to FRESH by Brookshire's by Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples is the latest example of how the store is making an impact outside the East Texas area.
“Commissioner Staples indicated that he wanted to visit FRESH to experience it firsthand after hearing a great deal about it since its opening in 2011,” Steve Delello, General Manager of FRESH by Brookshire's said. “His agency is very interested in the store's impact on the local and state economy.”
Staples was greeted by Delello, Kyle Glasscock, FRESH's Food Services Director and other executive members of the Brookshire's Grocery Company and given a tour of the store that highlighted some of the innovative concepts of the store and many of its Texas products.
“I think in the busy world that we live in the satisfaction of having nice quality foods – fresh foods – just adds to a quality of life that Texans are placing more emphasis on. FRESH is a real bright spot in delivering that type of product here in the East Texas area,” Staples said in his visit to FRESH on Sept. 27.
Delello also showed Staples the features of the store that lead to the LEED certification FRESH was awarded earlier this year by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
FRESH achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
Delello explained that the store's commitment to water and energy conservation is another extension of their efforts to support the community through initiatives that include sourcing food from local growers and products from Texas producers.
“Commissioner Staples indicated that he wanted to visit FRESH to experience it firsthand after hearing a great deal about it since its opening in 2011,” Steve Delello, General Manager of FRESH by Brookshire's said. “His agency is very interested in the store's impact on the local and state economy.”
Staples was greeted by Delello, Kyle Glasscock, FRESH's Food Services Director and other executive members of the Brookshire's Grocery Company and given a tour of the store that highlighted some of the innovative concepts of the store and many of its Texas products.
“I think in the busy world that we live in the satisfaction of having nice quality foods – fresh foods – just adds to a quality of life that Texans are placing more emphasis on. FRESH is a real bright spot in delivering that type of product here in the East Texas area,” Staples said in his visit to FRESH on Sept. 27.
Delello also showed Staples the features of the store that lead to the LEED certification FRESH was awarded earlier this year by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is the nation's preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
FRESH achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.
Delello explained that the store's commitment to water and energy conservation is another extension of their efforts to support the community through initiatives that include sourcing food from local growers and products from Texas producers.
“Consumers today want to know where their food is coming from, unlike any other time in our history,” Staples said, “and FRESH offers that connection between the producer and the ultimate consumer by bringing in locally sourced vegetables, fruits, produce and meats whenever it is available.”
The Texas Department of Agriculture focuses on the promotion of agricultural products and businesses through the GO TEXAN program, and has expanded opportunities for Texas producers.
Delello explained that one of the reasons for Staples visit to the store was to offer a hand in helping FRESH locate and source additional Texas products and more efficient ways to streamline reporting and compliance with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“We have the GO TEXAN marketing campaign that we are very proud of that recognizes all types of producers and products throughout the state of Texas,” Staples said. “We have also talked about if there are needs or things customers are wanting and they're not finding them – then we are going to go to our Texas producers and say we have a market for this here in Texas.”
“For example more Texas lamb, more Texas cheeses or more Texas wine – which is an industry in Texas that has been growing in leaps and bounds – that is the type of thing we are going to continue to work on with companies like Brookshire's who is a leader in offering good quality products and us going to our producers and making certain they know that there are retailers out there and customers who want their product and get them ready to deliver,” Staples said.
The Texas Department of Agriculture focuses on the promotion of agricultural products and businesses through the GO TEXAN program, and has expanded opportunities for Texas producers.
Delello explained that one of the reasons for Staples visit to the store was to offer a hand in helping FRESH locate and source additional Texas products and more efficient ways to streamline reporting and compliance with the Texas Department of Agriculture.
“We have the GO TEXAN marketing campaign that we are very proud of that recognizes all types of producers and products throughout the state of Texas,” Staples said. “We have also talked about if there are needs or things customers are wanting and they're not finding them – then we are going to go to our Texas producers and say we have a market for this here in Texas.”
“For example more Texas lamb, more Texas cheeses or more Texas wine – which is an industry in Texas that has been growing in leaps and bounds – that is the type of thing we are going to continue to work on with companies like Brookshire's who is a leader in offering good quality products and us going to our producers and making certain they know that there are retailers out there and customers who want their product and get them ready to deliver,” Staples said.
