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The WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are conducted by Market West and Perth Markets Group Limited (PMGL). Now in its 22nd year, the awards aim to reward the best of WA’s top fresh fruit and vegetable retailers in a spirit of friendly yet competitive rivalry.

Market West initiated these awards in 2002 to recognise fresh produce retailers, who support the central markets, by demonstrating excellent customer service and retailing standards.

The Award categories are:

1. WA Fresh Produce Award – Metropolitan Store.
2. WA Fresh Produce Award – Regional Store.
3. Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan.
4. Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional.
5. Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan.
6. Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Region
7. ‘A Better Choice’ Retailer Award.

All entrants are assessed independently by suitably qualified judges:

• The judging criteria vary slightly between Award categories to account for the differences in their respective retailing environments.
• There are 2 rounds of judging for all stores.
• Round 1 All Stores
• Round 2 Top 50% of stores from round 1 to determine finalists.
• Finalists are judged a third time to determine the winners in each category.
• Round 1 judging will be conducted in May.
• Round 2 judging will be conducted in
• The final round of judging for the finalists will be conducted in August.

The judging criteria are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain relevant. Currently they encompass the following:

• Initial appearance of shop front (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 and vegetables based on a checklist of seasonal availability.
• Country of Origin Labelling (CoOL).
• Promotion of produce: nutrition information, recipes and meal solutions.
• The focus on the Customer and provisions of services.
• Overall assessment of store as a fresh produce retailer.
• Customer Service.
• Commercial integrity of the business to its suppliers.

To nominate your store please send a complete the nomination form and send to Market West by April 26, 2024.

For further information please contact Inci Humberstone at Market West on (08) 9455 2742 or admin@marketwest.com.au

First WA cherries of the season raise $120,000 for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation at 2023 Cherry Auction

Perth’s annual charity Cherry Auction sparked a bidding war amongst the state’s fruit and vegie industry titans this morning, as the first cherries of the season went under the hammer for a good cause.

An iconic WA tradition now in its 31^st year, the Cherry Auction took place at Perth Markets in Canning Vale, with all proceeds from the event donated to Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The 2023 Cherry Auction raised $120,000 with a total 21kg of cherries donated by cherry growers from WA’s South West. The 5kg prize box of cherries from Donnybrook’s Sweet Cherry Valley sold for a whopping $75,000.

Linh Truong of All States Farms was crowned the event’s first ever Cherry Queen, taking the crown from 2022 Cherry King, Frankie Galati, CEO of Galati Group.

The winning figure was achieved thanks to a six-way joint bid by All States Farms, Galati Group, Erceg Holdings, Karragullen Cool Storage, 4 Ways Fresh Produce and M & G Monte & Son. The stunning Ceremonial Box containing the prize cherries was this year made of marri and crafted by Phil Staniford from the Donnybrook Men’s Shed.

In 2023, funds raised for PCHF at the Cherry Auction will benefit the Rare Care Centre at PCH, which coordinates research and advanced diagnostic approaches for the 63,000 WA kids with rare and undiagnosed diseases.

This year’s Cherry Auction Ambassadors, Toby (9) and Ava (10) both live with a rare disease and receive the support through the Rare Care Centre. Toby has Cockayne syndrome, a degenerative DNA repair disorder that causes rapid ageing, while Ava has a mutation on the GNAS gene that affects her growth.

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation CEO Carrick Robinson said: “The Cherry Auction is a great way for the market community to come together and show their support for WA’s sick kids. Now in its 31st year, the auction has collectively raised more than $1.8 million, all thanks to the generosity of our local fruit and vegie industry.

“Funds raised today for PCHF will go to the Rare Care Centre, which supports diagnosis, care coordination, clinical trials and research for WA kids with rare and undiagnosed diseases, helping more kids like Toby and Ava and their families to get the support they need and deserve.”

Newly crowned Cherry Queen, Linh Truong said: “It’s a really fantastic result that we got today. Last year we came in second, so we’re thrilled to take home the crown this year, thanks to the support of the wider market community. It’s beautiful to have an event out here in the market for a good cause, where everyone comes down to support the kids.”

Market West Chief Executive Rod McPherson said: “It’s fantastic to see our first ever Cherry Queen crowned. Market West is honoured to bring together our members for this event year on year. The market community really come to the fore at this time of year, they’re always willing to dig deep and put their hands in their pockets for the kids and this year was no exception. It’s a really, really good cause that is close to their hearts, so well done to everyone who helped to achieve today’s result.”

Last year’s 5kg prize box of cherries sold for $49,000, thanks to a joint bid from Galati Group and Fernbrook Fresh.

The Cherry Auction is run and hosted by Market West and Perth Markets Group Limited and supported by the Cherry Growers Association.

The 2022 Perth Markets Ball and WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards were celebrated at Crown Ballroom on Friday 14th October.
After 20 consecutive years the awards continue to gain prestige and desirability among local fresh produce retailers.
The awards are an initiative of Market West, supported by naming rights partner Perth Markets Group Limited for eligible retailers who source high quality, fresh produce from the Perth central markets in Canning Vale.
WA Fresh Produce sourced from the Markets is a vital link in the agricultural supply chain. The industry remains a valuable contributor to the state’s economy, providing high levels of and diverse employment opportunities across a range of industry stakeholders. Quality fresh produce is a key component in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, particularly in the current social environment as the community continues to encounter an unprecedented health threat.
The awards are open to all retailers including local independent retailers, small stores and supermarket chains, both metropolitan and regional. 282 nominations were received and judged in 8 categories across a range of stringent criteria.

A near record 573 guests enjoyed a premium food and beverages while the winners were announced. The celebrations included a vibrant ‘Casino Royale – James Bond’ theme.

Winners of the 2022 Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are:

Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year
Napoli Mercato

Regional Store
Western Growers Fresh

Best Small Store
Lancelin IGA Express

‘A Better Choice’ Retailer of the Year
Tony Ale & Co

Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan
Woolworths Rockingham

Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional
Coles Vasse

Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan
Fresh Provisions Bicton

Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional
Dongara IGA

The 29th Charity Cherry Auction at the Perth Markets held Friday morning saw heated competition between Perth’s highest-profile fresh produce retailers, who bid against one another for the title of Cherry King or Queen in support of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

John Alessandrini – on behalf of his father Tony Alessandrini (Tony Ale) and the Alessandrini family – took out the title of Cherry King by purchasing a box of cherries for a generous $50,000. With a total of 12 boxes of cherries auctioned throughout the morning, the event raised $86,000 for Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. In less than three decades the growers and produce community in WA has donated a staggering $1.5 million to the Foundation.

This humble Christmas tradition kicked off with the special arrival of the Foundation Christmas Ambassadors Imogen and Maddy who have both been treated by the Perth Children’s Hospital for cancer. This year’s donations will go towards the oncology department to help kids fighting cancer.

The Cherry Princesses entered the Central Trading Area in a cherry covered Toyota Landcruiser thanks to Canning Vale and Maddington Toyota. The cherries this year were donated by Sweet Cherry Valley Orchards, Cherry Lane Fields, J & C Russo, A Guadagnino, Licciardello and Karintha Orchards. The ceremonial jarrah box was made by Dick Gill and Simon Kapel from the Donnybrook Men’s shed.

As is always the case, 100% of proceeds directly benefit the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

The 2021 Perth Markets Ball and WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards were celebrated at Crown Ballroom on Friday 8^th October.  After 19 consecutive years the awards continue to gain stature and have become increasingly desirable among fresh produce retailers. The awards are an initiative of Market West, supported by naming rights partner Perth Markets Group Limited for eligible retailers who source high quality fresh produce from the Perth central markets in Canning Vale.

WA Fresh Produce sourced from the Markets is vital link in the agricultural supply chain. The industry remains a valuable contributor to the states economy, providing diverse, high levels of employment across a range of stakeholders in the industry. Fresh produce is a key component in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, particularly in the current social environment as the community continues to encounter an unprecedented health threat.

The awards are open to all retailers including independent retailers, small stores and supermarket chains, both metropolitan and regional.  240 nominations were received and judged in 8 categories across a range of stringent criteria.

A record 585 guests enjoyed a premium 3 course meal while the winners were announced. The celebrations included a vibrant ‘Carnaval’ theme with Latin dancers and thrilling acrobats keeping the crowd energised.

Winners of the 2021 Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are:

Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year (Overall Winner)
Mr Fresh Carine

Regional Store
Western Growers Fresh

Best Small Store
IGA Cunderdin

‘A Better Choice’ Retailer of the Year
The Floreat Market

Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan
Coles – Bassendean

Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional
Woolworths – Eaton Fair

Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan
IGA Maylands

Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional
Dongara IGA