Wal-Mart to donate more to food banks, sell more products aimed at Latino customers

Wal-Mart officials said Thursday they plan on offering more products aimed at the Latino market and promised to step up local donations to nonprofits and food banks.

Bill Wertz, Northwest divisional director of public affairs, said the retail giant's local donation policy has been scattered and small in dollar value.

"We've never really been able to make a big difference in an organization or community," he said.

Wertz and other regional Wal-Mart officials were in Yakima to deliver a $3,000 check to the Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic.

Latinos make up 20 percent of Wal-Mart's workforce nationwide. Wertz said the percentage is higher in places like Yakima.

"The Hispanic community is very important to us. In many stores, I hear more Spanish than English," he said.

The naming two years ago of Eduardo Castro-Wright as CEO of Wal-Mart's United States division reflects the new strategy, Wertz said. Castro-Wright was previously head of Wal-Mart Mexico.

Wal-Mart will roll out a food donation program next month that will include beef and other protein products -- items always in demand at food banks. "It's one thing to hand out day-old donuts and quite another to supply high-quality meat and deli products," Wertz said.

The company also has set up state-level donation councils to consider larger contributions to local communities. The company had net income of nearly $13 billion last year.

But the community can also expect Wal-Mart to compete hard for customers, and that means offering more products from Mexico sold by locally owned bodegas, or Latino grocery and convenience stores.

"I see the bodegas are doing a better job than we are. We're keeping an eye on the competition."

Leah Beth Ward can be reached at 577-7626 or lward@yakimaherald.com

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