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A strong educational outreach effort opens communication between H-E-B and potential suppliers and those farmer-partners wanting to reach new plateaus. “We provide them that opportunity to get in front of the decision- makers and the buyer, and we make sure they complete all the paperwork and are ready to do business,” Harris continues.
“Our reward is that we can create oppor- tunity for a company to do business with
H-E-B, and that part-
nership can really change their life and their family’s life, and those in their surrounding neighborhoods,” adds Harris. “These changes fuse back into the communities that we serve. So it is full circle.”
H-E-B’s minority business outreach involves a robust partnership with the Texas Department of Agriculture and its extension offices in five different regions throughout the
state. Harris rolls up his sleeves and hits farms across the state with a guy he and local farmers affectionately call “Big Mac,” who, in more formal circles, is known as Edward McGowan, marketing specialist at the Austin- based Texas Department of Agriculture.
“He is about 6’4” or 6’5”, 280 pounds and knows every farmer around. He actually goes out pitching to farmers on what crops to plant based upon what is indigenous to the area and when to actually plant it,”
describes Harris. “When we do those local outreaches, I call Big Mac and say, ‘Let’s go on the road; let’s do a road show.’”
According to McGowan, who is stationed in Houston, when H-E-B is buying local, it is boosting economic development, creating jobs, bringing
product and people in and helping the community. “I’m not supposed to be biased, but H-E-B thinks along those lines. I have a special place in my heart speaking on behalf of James and his work at H-E-B,” admits McGowan.
“When producers grow for a chain store, a better deal from Florida can come in and that retailer will drop them,” McGowan continues,
34 PRODUCE BUSINESS • MAY 2011
Putting the finishing touches on a pepper display is Adrian Ortega
(2 years), who works at the H-E-B Plus! store at Stone Ridge Market in San Antonio.