Category: News

The 2019 Market City Ball and 30th Anniversary and WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards were celebrated at the Crown Ballroom on Friday 2nd August. This prestigious event has been running for 17 consecutive years and is an initiative of Market West and supported by Perth Markets Limited, Market City.

The Fresh Produce Industry is a key component of the ongoing search for a healthy lifestyle. Industry stakeholders joined together to acknowledge their peers and their vital role in the community and the wider agricultural landscape.

The awards are open to all retailers including independent retailers, small stores and supermarket chains. Stores can nominate and be judged across a range of stringent criteria in eight award categories.

Almost 600 people enjoyed a sumptuous 3 course meal while the winners were announced and the festivities included local versatile musician Courtney Murphy, breathtaking aerialists ‘Faerial’ high above the crowd and finished off with Bump 40/40 keeping everyone on the dance floor.

Winners of the 2019 Fresh Produce Retailer Awards are listed below.

Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year
The Herdsman Market

Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year
Regional Store
Rigters SUPA IGA

Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year
Best Small Store
Cunderdin IGA

‘A Better Choice’ Retailer of the Year
Napoli Mercato

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan
Coles Cockburn Central

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional
Woolworths Mandurah Forum

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan
Dalkeith IGA

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional
Lake Grace IGA

The 2018 Cherry Auction held on Friday 14^th December raised a record-breaking total of $135,450 for the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation.

Network Ten’s Tim Gossage our auctioneer arrived alongside Cherry Prince, Romeo and his twin sister and Cherry Princess Isabelle, together with a procession of drummers, dancers and the Foundation’s mascot, Stitches the Bear.

The heart-stopping auction saw Tony Galati go head-to-head with John Ale, who bid against each other up to the winning amount of $100,000 far in excess of the previous record of $55,000– all of which goes to the Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation. Tony Galati is now the proud owner of the state’s most expensive cherries and therefore this year’s Cherry King!

The Market City Cherry Auction began in 1992 and is now in its 26th year thanks to the ongoing support of Market West and Perth Markets Limited on behalf of the Central Market Wholesalers.

The significant support from WA’s fruit and vegetable community has seen more than $1,200,000 raised to help West Australian children like Romeo, who have benefited from state of the art burns equipment and research funded by Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, after suffering serious burns during an overseas holiday.

Thanks also goes to Toyota Materials Handling who provided the sausage sizzle and WB Pit Stop for keeping the coffee flowing which together raised another $828.70 bringing the total amount on the day to an amazing $136,278.70.

The Market City Golf Classic was held on Friday 23^rd November at Secret Harbour Golf Links with 20 teams participating on the day. A tricky wind provided some challenges for the players but overall a great day was had by all with some excellent scores recorded. Thanks to our sponsors and prize donors fantastic prizes were won by the successful teams but unfortunately no-one took out the Hole in One prize at the 12^th hole – a fantastic Alaskan Cruise sponsored by Toyota Materials Handling.

Nett winners                     ITC Industries

Nett runners up               DPD #1

Best Gross                          QP #1

Market West would like to thank all of the sponsors and prize donors for helping to make the 2018 Market City Golf Classic a success and we look forward to seeing everyone back next year.

The 2018 AGM of Market West and the Credit Service was held on Wednesday 7th November in the Market West Board Room.

President Trish Skinner (Australian Produce Brokers) and Vice President Rick Smith (Smiths Enterprises) and Executive Committee James Ryan (Perfection Fresh), John Mercer (WA Farm Direct), Paul Neale (Mercer Mooney) and John Travers (Allied Farms Australia) were all elected unopposed.

The AGM was well attended and the President provided the background to the year’s performance across a number of areas, highlighting financial performance including the dividend income stream from the investment in Perth Markets Ltd, the considerable work done with our Members and industry locally on the newly implemented Horticulture Code in association with Fresh Markets Australia nationally, the record attendance at the Market City Ball and record Retailer of the Year nominations, tax exemption of the Chamber, the outstanding results for the Cherry Auction and the launch of the national independent retailer support program “A Better Choice”.

The President also highlighted the ongoing commitment to working collaboratively with the Market City landlord, Perth Market Ltd on a range of issues including the Market Rental Valuations, variable outgoings, site Master Planning and other strategic issues.

The 2018 Market City Retailer of the Year Awards were presented at the Market City Ball at the Crown Ballroom, Burswood on Friday evening 27^th July.

This prestigious event has been running for 16 consecutive years and is an initiative of Market West and supported by Perth Markets Limited.

The awards are open to all retailers including independent retailers, small stores and supermarket chains.  Stores can nominate and compete in eight award categories.

Member Services Manager for Market West, Inci Humberstone said that this year’s pool of entries has been the largest in the award’s history.

“This year we have had a record 194 entries, with categories including independent metro and regional retailers all the way through to the national supermarkets. Each were independently judged by mystery shoppers assessed on criteria of quality, customer service, consumer information and shop presentation”.

The 2018 Market City Ball and Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards night was a great success with a record 589 guests, representing a broad cross section of the horticulture supply chain including retailers, wholesalers, transport companies, growers and industry sponsors.

“The finalists are all outstanding retailers and through their commitment to excellent customer service and quality fresh produce, thoroughly deserve their recognition. Congratulations to all the winners” said Rod McPherson, CEO of Market West.

Winners of the 2018 Fresh Produce Retailer Awards are listed below.

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Metropolitan Store
Napoli Mercato

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Regional Store
Katanning IGA

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Small Store
Wagin Foodworks

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan
Woolworths Singleton

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional
Coles Eaton Fair

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan
Swanbourne Market & East Perth IGA

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional
Ningaloo IGA

Great Green Grocer Retailer of the Year 2017 Award
The Floreat Market

The Annual Market City Charity Cherry Auction was held in the Central Trading Area on Friday 8th December and was very well supported.

Donations on the day on behalf of Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation totaled $92,838 with long-time supporter John Ale from Tony Ale & Co crowned Cherry King taking out the 5kg box of cherries with a bid of $45,000.

Since the Cherry Auction began in 1992 the Market Community has raised just over $1,109,000.

An amazing combined total of $47,000 was raised for the first boxes by the following bidders:

• John Ale, Tony Ale $6,000
• Rodney Dullard, Key Produce $5,000
• Gilbert Correia, Gilberts Fresh Markets $10,000
• Tony Gatani, SJ Fresh $7,500
• Jimmy Park, Jimmy’s Mushrooms $6,000
• Hayden Conti, DAC Refrigeration Services $5,000
• Basil Gotsis, Fresh Provisions $4,000
• Ahmad Albirkawi, Mirrabooka Fresh $3,500

 
We also acknowledge Toyota Materials Handling for running the sausage sizzle and raising $723 in donations, WB Pit Stop for providing coffees and collecting $115 in donations, Peter Holmes our auctioneer, Simon Bloomfield for assisting and the Perth Markets Limited staff for providing their ongoing support for the event.

Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation Ambassadors, Eva and Andie McAuliffe also presented four generous supporters plaques in recognition of their past contributions:

• John from Tony Ale & Co over $180,000
• Joe from Napoli Mercato over $100,000
• Shawn from Fresh Provisions over $40,000
• Janine from Toyota Materials Handling over $10,000

 
Cherry boxes were kindly organised by Gary Ferguson and donated by Cherry Lane Fields Manjimup, Newton Bros Manjimup and K Smart from Manjimup. The Donnybrook Mens Shed again provided the ceremonial box for the 5kg of cherries.

Thank you to our generous Market City community for supporting our charity partner, Perth Children’s Hospital Foundation, and we look forward to continuing the tradition next year.

The AGM of Market West and the Credit Service was held on Tuesday 14th November 2017 in the Market West Board Room.

President Trish Skinner (Australian Produce Brokers) and Vice President Rick Smith (Smiths Enterprises) were re-elected unopposed. Also elected as Executive Committee were James Ryan (Perfection Fresh), John Mercer (WA Farm Direct), Paul Neale (Mercer Mooney) and John Travers (Allied Farms Australia). The President thanked outgoing committee member Sebastian Galati for his contribution.

The AGM was well attended and the President provided the background to the years performance across a number of areas, highlighting the dividend income stream from the investment in Perth Markets Ltd, the considerable work done in association with Fresh Markets Australia on the new Horticulture Code, the record numbers in attendance at the Market City Ball and the achievement of tax exemption of the Chamber.

The Market City Golf Day for 2017 was held on Friday 17th November at Glen Iris Golf Course with 17 teams participating for the Market City Classic Trophy.

This was the first golf day since Market City was purchased by an industry consortium from the government in 2016. A four ball ambrose event, the teams are competitive yet want to have fun. The event was sponsored by Perth Markets Ltd (the new owner of Market City), Toyota Materials Handling, Market West and Chep.

There were some great prizes on offer including a $30,000 forklift for a hole in one at the 12th hole, sponsored by Toyota Materials Handling. Other prizes were provided by Prosser Toyota, Market City Tavern, Kleenheat and Glen Iris.

Overall the winners were:

• KGC Transport aka Golden Eagle 17
• Quality Produce 2 aka Peas and Gravy
• Aldi aka Albertruss Tomatoes

All in all a very successful day and we look forward to teeing up again with hopefully a few more teams next year to make it even more competitive.

The 2017 Market City Retailer of the Year Awards were presented at the Market City Ball at the Crown Ballroom, Burswood on Friday evening 28^th July.

This prestigious event has been running for 15 consecutive years and is an initiative of Market West and supported by Perth Markets Limited.

The awards are open to all retailers including independent retailers, small stores and supermarket chains.  Stores can nominate and compete in eight award categories.

Member Services Manager for Market West, Inci Humberstone said that this year’s pool of entries has been the largest in the award’s history.

“This year we have had 142 entries, with categories including independent metro and regional retailers all the way through to the national supermarkets. Each were independently judged by mystery shoppers assessed on criteria of quality, customer service, consumer information and shop presentation. This year we also introduced the Great Green Grocer of the Year award, recognizing excellence from within our independent retailer program members”.

The 2017 Market City Ball and Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards night was a great success with a record 540 guests, representing a broad cross section of the horticulture supply chain including retailers, wholesalers, transport companies, growers and industry sponsors.

“The finalists are all outstanding retailers and through their commitment to excellent customer service and quality fresh produce, thoroughly deserve their recognition. Congratulations to all the winners” said Rod McPherson, CEO of Market West.

Winners of the 2017 Fresh Produce Retailer Awards are listed below.

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Metropolitan Store
Napoli Mercato

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Regional Store
Geraldton Fruit & Vegetable Supply

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Small Store
BG’s Fruit & Veg Busselton

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan
Coles Fremantle

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional
Woolworths Bunbury Plaza

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan
Woodvale IGA

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional
Wonthella Supa IGA

Great Green Grocer Retailer of the Year 2017 Award
The Herdsman

Market West Meritorious Service Award 2017
Trish Skinner
President Market West, Vice Chairman, Perth Markets Limited, Director Fresh Markets Australia and General Manager Australian Produce Brokers

We are pleased to inform you that we are re-launching FreshTest™ in WA.

FreshTest™ was developed by the wholesaling sector to reduce costs and co-ordinate the thousands of produce tests being conducted annually by the wholesalers for verification of their own food safety & QA systems.

The produce is sent to NATA Accredited laboratories for testing and the results sent back to FreshTest™ for distribution to the wholesalers and onto the growers. There is a system of investigation, corrective action and re-testing if a product returns an adverse detection.

Fresh Markets Australia (Australian Chamber) has negotiated very competitive pricing which we are able to pass on to our members and their growers, you can now save money and quickly and easily have your produce tested.

Pricing information for the most common tests along with further information on LORs and a test request form are available upon request.

If you have any questions or would like to send samples for testing please give me a call on 0416 276 437 or call our office on 9455 2742.

• FreshTest™ website