Whole Foods Planning To Stock Local Produce, Products At OKC Store

Jennifer Pierce, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma farmers have another place to sell their products. Whole Foods wants to stock its Oklahoma City store with locally grown and made products.

Whole Foods is under construction in northwest Oklahoma City and turning to Oklahoma farmers to stock the store's shelves when it opens.

One grower is in talks with the business to sell them his heirloom vegetables. Wayne Jesko is a fifth-generation farmer and said some of his produce dates back to the 1800s. Jesko is excited to have the attention of a national chain store.

"We've actually sold to grocery stores over the last few years on a limited basis. We have several restaurants that already use our products, but one more place is always better," said Jesko.

OSU-OKC put store representatives in touch with Oklahoma farmers to help stock the shelves with local products.

"Each Whole Foods store is unique to that area of the country and they're very interested in having locally grown produce and locally plants and locally made products," said Cheryl Camp with OSU-OKC's Farmer's Market.

Whole Foods is holding regular meetings at OSU-OKC to meet with farmers and answer questions they may have.

They have not released an exact opening date, but said it will be sometime at the end of the year.