Since opening in 1982, The Fresh Market® has made the support of local manufacturers and farmers one of its main points of focus. For the past 30 years The Fresh Market, a specialty grocery retailer headquartered in Greensboro, N.C., has helped many start-up and artisan manufacturers grow their brands. “Supporting local food manufacturers has always been a core part of The Fresh Market’s business,” said Marc Jones, the company’s senior vice president of marketing and merchandising. “As we continue to grow our company throughout the United States, we are also growing our local programs, increasing our focus on finding fantastic local products that our customers will love.” To realize this goal and become better acquainted with vendors in the Tulsa area, The Fresh Market is hosting a Local Vendor Product Pitch Day in Tulsa on May 8. The purpose of the event is two-fold: local food manufacturers can introduce their retail-ready products to The Fresh Market as well as learn about the company’s process for selecting, promoting and selling local products in its stores. Space is limited and available by appointment only. Those interested in attending are asked to register in advance by sending an email with their contact, company and product information to buylocal@thefreshmarket.com.