I recently did a post on old historic autos. I thought, OK, that was fun to see those old relics -- but I didn't expect to run into another relic quite so soon -- and in a very unexpected place.
But, I must say the old truck I found in a very unexpected place was drawing lots of folks. The folks were grocery shoppers in Kroger's produce department. Here sat an old Chevrolet truck that was producing smiles while shoppers lingered looking over all the local produce Kroger's had for sale in its truck and around its wheels.
A blackboard was located around the wheel area of the truck which pronounced FARMER'S MARKET. Essentially, they were playing the marketing game of farmer's market only right in their own produce department.
I am not giving a plug to Kroger's store (but it can be construed as so). It's just that I thought the management of the store had a clever marketing maneuver going -- it got people talking and laughing to see the old truck posed as if it were participating in a real farmers market.
That was a really neat idea for the market to use the old truck in it's display. It really did have a farmers market feel to it.
ReplyDeleteMama-Bug -- Like to shop in stores that give good service and outdo themselves with bright ideas. Makes shopping a pleasure. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea! I'd certainly be looking.
ReplyDeleteI used to have a truck like that, same color too, back in the 70's.
I was at my local farmer's market today and none of the farmers drove a cool truck like the one in your Kroger's store. May be a bit of nostalgia at play there, a longing for time gone by...
ReplyDeleteI think that is a great idea. I am from Vancouver island and a lot of people (myself included) will only eat local. (I am not as ardent as some but I am an advocate for locally grown and will choose it more often than not.) I wonder where they got the truck?
ReplyDeleteHello:
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely wonderful. So very original, imaginative and great fun. We should be tempted to buy in this shop just for the sheer joy of supporting a highly creative idea.
cute Idea! Caney Fish Camp Restaurant in Nashville also has a red truck like this one in it...very nice...Mel's Cabin Designs 1952 follows your blog.....Mel
ReplyDeleteVery clever marketing. I'll bet other people were as impressed as you were and told their friends to go have a look. Kroger, of course, is a huge chain, so I wonder if this was an individual store manager's idea of something suggested from a sharp marketing department. It could indicate that the chain's management feel serious competition from farmers' markets this time of year.
ReplyDeleteThat truck is one of the first I drove. We used it to pull junk cars up in the air to load into Dad's dump truck. We had built a tripod out of telephone poles and used a cable and pulley. That is how my brother and I helped Dad make some extra money. The truck had a granny gear that you put it in that crawled but had a lot of pulling power. It's nice to see one displayed used as it probably once was in hauling the crops. Enjoyed this post.
ReplyDeleteHow nice to see that in a display. Great that they have some local produce.
ReplyDeleteI have a soft spot in my heart for Kroger, they hired me as a cashier in 1958. Ir's a shame, but they don't have a store near me. Our local Giant Super Market is owned by the British corporation that also owns 'Marks and Sparks.' The Giant gets its produce locally, however, and also sells organic products. The old truck is a nice promotional touch, but I imagine it would not influence the savvy shopper one way or another.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very clever idea. And, I'm always glad to see a grocery promoting locally grown produce.
ReplyDeleteWe have a green pickup similarly displaying fresh watermelons this week nearby. Not running I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteFarmchick -- Certainly unusual for a large grocery chain -- I think. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGrampy -- I have no idea of the age of this truck -- I guess somewhere in the thirties or forties. My thoughts when I saw it was how the heck did they get it in the store? I like the name granny gear -- move slow but is poserful. I know lots of real grannys that are like that. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJune -- I think the farmer's markets are a big competitor of grocery stores during the harvest season. Yes, I agree with you that this could be the motive for setting up a farmer's market scene -- complete with local crops. barbara
ReplyDeleteMel -- next time I'm in Nashville I'll stop by to see the red truck -- bet it draws attention. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLinda -- Ohh -- I thought the truck might have been from the 30s or 40s. Apparently I don't know how to tell the age of trucks. However, I thought it was really neat to see it sitting in Krogers in their produce dept. I like unexpected surprises. thanks for stopping -- barbara
ReplyDeleteAwesome!!! I love old vehicles!!! I seem to recall a similar truck at my great grandpa's farm in central Ohio.
ReplyDeleteDarcy -- Hey, perhaps that is at play here too -- nostalgia. So they have a mix of nostalgia and local food going to help market their produce. Not a bad idea. Sure makes for an interesting trip to the grocery store. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteBirdie --- Vancouver Island must be a quite the progressive place as far as food goes. There are many places in our country where it is still difficult to find non-spray or organic. but I believe this is slowly changing. Thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteJane and Lance -- Creative marketing, to me, means that the business is paying attention. I like to shop at small innovative places the best. Unfortunately these places struggle against the big guys. Thanks for the very nice comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteDianne -- Krogers has a whole food section that carries organics. I shop organic and this is a welcome treasure for me. The Kroger store where I shop also provides great service to its customers. That means as much to me as getting the right food. I'm sure this was so when you worked for them. Thanks for the comments -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLouise -- Me too! Glad you stopped by with your comments -- barbara
ReplyDeleteBirdman -- I feel these old vehicles are like a piece of folk art when displayed in an odd fashion such as filled with watermelons but not really going any where or sitting in a large grocery store. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteKay -- Nice history to have a grandpa with such a truck on his farm. My mother's family were all Ohio farmers. thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteA wonderful idea! Hope the one who thought of it got a bonus!
ReplyDeleteVicki -- I'm with you -- a bonus is in line -- thanks -- barbara
ReplyDeleteBarbara,
ReplyDeleteI think the truck is 48-49
Grampy -- since you worked with one I believe you are correct. I had a feeling it was from the thirties or forties. Thanks for dating this for me and others -- barbara
ReplyDeleteOmigod!!! It's about as old as I am!! LOL
ReplyDeleteKay -- you are lucky -- its actually younger than me! By about 8 or 9 years! -- barbara
ReplyDeleteThat's just wonderful. Such beautiful photographs, the colours..
ReplyDeleteCarole -- You have quite a bit of stamina to do those book shows. I applaud you. -- barbara
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. I love it!
ReplyDeleteThat is VERY clever! I'll bet it not only had the people who were already shopping for produce reminiscing, talking and laughing about it, but that it drew people to that department who might otherwise have skipped it! That's a great looking old truck, and a wonderful subject for a blog post! Very fun!
ReplyDeleteNCmountainwoman -- Makes for an unexpected smile when ones goes shopping and finds something so different. Thanks for the comment -- barbara
ReplyDeleteLaloofah -- the display did attract attention and folks were buying off the truck. New ideas are always refreshing I think. Thanks for the nice comments -- barbara
ReplyDelete