With an office in Yakima, Washington, Wal-Mart plans to keep prices lower and buy directly from growers, cutting out the middleman, says a former Wal-Mart executive. Former Wal-Mart insider Bruce Peterson sees the company’s recent move to do more direct buying from apple growers as one of several issues that the fresh fruit industry will have to deal with in the coming decade. Peterson, formerly senior vice president and general merchandise manager of perishables at Wal-Mart, has worked as an independent consultant for the past two years. Wal-Mart recently established an office in Yakima, in the heart of Washington’s tree […]