Operations Management: Kudler Fine Foods � PAGE �1�
OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: KUDLER FINE FOODS
Operations Management: Kudler Fine Foods
Vandy Durga
University of Phoenix
MBA 502
Subas Nandy
April 20, 2009
Operations Management: Kudler Fine Foods
According to Mejia and Balkin, "Operations management is the process an organization uses to obtain the materials or ideas for the product it provides, the process of transforming them into the product, and the process of providing the final product to a user." Mejia and Balkin also state that operations management usually refers to the firm's main product. Kudler Fine Foods (KFF) is a gourmet grocery store; one of the store's main products is the organic produce. KFF had been successful by coupling good quality food with memorable customer experience. To add to the company' success, KFF is planning to contact the local organic producers as research shows that purchasing from local growers not only supplies the consumer with fresh, healthy organic produce, it also supports the local grower and helps in building the local economy (Trobe 2001).
Heaton states that, "Consuming more organic food certainly isn't the only way to improve one's nutrient intake, but it may be the safest." KFF would benefit by offering locally grown organic food to the consumers as many health conscious minds are choosing to buy organic and as local harvest website states that, "the best organic food is what's grown closest to you." This would increase the customer base for KFF along with revitalizing the local growers and thus building the economy; as local harvest site states that, "We can start now by buying locally grown food whenever possible. By doing so you'll be helping preserve the environment, and you'll be strengthening your community by investing your food dollar close to home. Only 18 cents of every dollar,