26 July 2008

Popular Churchlands fresh food retailer, The Herdsman, was declared winner of 2008 WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year at the Market City Ball, held on Friday night 25 July 2008.

The recently re-branded Herdsman Fresh Essentials is a deserving recipient of this prestigious award. The Herdsman offers an extensive range of top quality fresh, gourmet and ready-to-eat foods and its friendly and helpful members of staff are always on hand to make the regulars welcome: all-in-all a most pleasant shopping experience.

The Herdsman also won the award in 2005.

The other finalists are:

• Brookland Piazza Fresh
• Gwelup Fruits & More
• Peaches Fresh Market

Awards were also presented for:

• Minister's Award for Outstanding Contribution to Fresh Produce Promotion: Cancer Council of WA Crunch & Sip Campaign
• 2008 Fruit and Vegetable Section within a Supermarket: Woolworths Karrinyup
• 2008 Regional Retailer of the Year: Woolworths Catalina (Albany)
• 2008 Weekend Market: Scotty's, Fremantle Markets
• 2008 Excellence in Apple and Pear Retailing: Gwelup Fruits & More
• 2008 Excellence in Avocado Retailing: Coles, Mosman Park
• 2008 Excellence in Banana Retailing: Farmer Jacks, Woodlands Fresh
• 2008 Excellence in Potato Retailing: Gwelup Fruits & More

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are conducted by the Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries in WA and Perth Market Authority to promote excellence in fresh fruit and vegetable retailing in WA.

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year is conducted by the Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries in WA and Perth Market Authority. Now in its sixth year, this Award matches the best of WA's top fresh fruit and vegetable retailers in a spirit of friendly, if competitive, rivalry.

Believing that the Award ultimately benefits the entire fruit and vegetable industry, many of the participants take part in order to support Market City's efforts to raise the profile of fresh produce retailing.

This year a total of 90 stores and weekend markets were included in this year's Awards.

A committee that included Market City wholesalers, retailers and consumers determined the judging criteria, which this year included:

• Initial appearance of shopfront (external).
• Ease of access and shopping process in the store.
• Internal appearance: cleanliness of store, effectiveness of displays.
• Management of produce quality.
• Range of fruit based on a checklist of seasonal availability.
• Range of vegetables based on a checklist of seasonal availability.
• Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL).
• Promotion of produce: nutrition information, recipes, meal solutions.
• Customer focus and provision of services.
• Overall assessment of store as a fresh produce retailer.

Robert McFerran
Executive Officer
Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries in WA

Phone: 0409 297 216
E-Mail:

Mike Donnelly
Chief Executive Officer
Perth Market Authority

Phone: 0428 100 252
E-Mail:

Christine Simpson
Fresh Finesse

Phone: 0419 044 601
E-Mail:

Jenny Atkins
Cancer Council WA Crunch&Sip Campaign

Phone: (08) 9212 4348
E-Mail: