OTTUMWA — Ottumwa’s Hy-Vee stores are starting to ship in produce close to home — practically in their own back yard.

Hy-Vee has joined in a program called “Buy Fresh, Buy Local,” which encourages local producers to get in touch with retailers and restaurants to keep money within the community, said Ottumwa South Hy Vee Health Marketing Manager Honnha Newberry.

“It ties in with the our Health Market Department,” Newberry said.

“Customers love it and it helps the producers in the community and it helps us because we don’t have to pay shipping costs,” Newberry said.

“Plus, you know the person that is growing your food and you can meet them and see where the produce is coming from,” she said.

This year is a pilot program, with more producers expected following a meeting with the Wapello County Iowa State University Extension officials to establish some regulations.

“I would like to have a meet and greet, where customers can come meet some of the producers at one point when we launch this,” Newberry said.

Newberry said she looks for the program to do very well in Ottumwa and hopes that in five years much of their food will be from area producers.

Master Gardener Eugene Kromray has been in the program for a short time but said it has already helped him out a lot.

“I got a stamp to sell at farmer’s market, but now that I’m hooked up with Honnha at Hy-Vee, it’s just easier,” Kromray said. “This way I don’t have to sit out in the hot sun and sell my produce, I can just pick it and bring it in or have them come pick it up.”

Newberry went to Kromray’s house last week to pick up a load of produce that he had just picked from his garden earlier in the day.

“Everything looks real good,” Newberry said, eying the vegetables and fruits. “I think this will be a program that will go on.”

Scott Niles can be reached at (641) 683-5360 or via e-mail at sjniles@mchsi.com.