Sam’s to sell local papaya, goat cheese at its stores
Viviana Mercado, the retailer’s corporate affairs manager, inspects a box of papayas.
Sam’s Club Puerto Rico announced Thursday that as part of its commitment to Puerto Rican agriculture, it will begin selling papaya and goat cheese produced by farmers from the island’s mountain region at some of its local stores.
Through an agreement with brothers Manuel S. and Javier Porrata-Monserrate, owners of Platanera Don Monse, Sam’s Club will purchase 9,000 pounds of papaya a week, an amount that will be increased to 15,000 pounds a week. The chain also plans to expand the agreement with the farming operation to buy other products harvested at its 190-acre property in Corozal, including local limes. Platanera Don Monse employs 15 people.
Meanwhile, through the deal with Promotores Agrícolas Nativos, Sam’s Club will buy all of its goat cheese production, made under the “D’Fronton” brand, which is estimated at 1,100 boxes a week, to be sold initially at the Kennedy Avenue store. As production increases, and depending on the acceptance of this product, Sam’s will increase the purchase volume up to 2,500 pounds to be sold in other clubs. Sam’s has a total of 11 stores islandwide.
“It’s important to note that thanks to the willingness of these agribusinesses and their serious and efficient way of doing business, and of our chain’s commitment with the island’s agriculture, we reached these agreements in a short time,” said Viviana Mercado, the retailer’s corporate affairs manager.
Both agreements, pricing, logistics, and marketing strategies were achieved separately in four months.
The agribusinesses are members of the Puerto Rico Products Association, so their products are identified with the “Made in Puerto Rico” label.
