Category: News

Our first AGM as Market West was held on the 25th October, the meeting was very well attended and very positive. Trish Skinner was returned as President and Rick Smith as Vice President.  We also welcomed two new committee members, Sebastian Galati from the Galati Group and Lloyd Williams from Mr Mushroom.  We would like to thank retiring committee members Steve Nunn of Quality Produce and Kevin Hoey from Allstates for their contributions over past years.

The members were informed that as a result of the Chamber led successful Industry bid to buy Market City and the resulting shares issued to the Chamber have strengthened the balance sheet net asset position by 228%.

With the change of ownership of Market City, full responsibility of the Great Green Grocer campaign is now with Market West. We have developed a media plan, including an attractive deal with 7 West Media (TV, Yahoo, social media etc.) and revamped the Television Commercials will again be on your screens from November. Important strategic partnerships have been developed with WA Stonefruit and WA Citrus promoting seasonal ‘hero’ fruits and the best ways to enjoy them. Also look for the ‘Buy West East Best’ branded produce when shopping at your local Great Green Grocer.

The 2016 Market City Retailer of the Year Awards were presented during the Market City Ball at Crown Casino, Burswood on Friday evening.

This prestigious event has been running for 14 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, and Small Stores and supermarket chains. There are seven award categories which stores can nominate and compete in.

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

“This year we have had 108 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 2016 retailer awards night was a great success with almost 500 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 fresh produce, thoroughly deserve their recognition. Congratulations to all the winners” said Rod McPherson, CEO of Market West.

Winners of the 2016 Fresh Produce Retailer Awards are listed below.

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Metropolitan Store
Fresh Provisions – Mt Lawley

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Regional Store
Bunbury Farmers Market

WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Award
Best Small Store
Newy’s Vegie Patch

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

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
Stirling IGA

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

Click here for the the gallery of photobooth images and photos of the night.

The 2016 Market City Ball and WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards will be held at the Crown Casino Perth on Friday the 22nd July.

2016 is an historical landmark in the evolution of Market City and the fresh produce industry pathway to the future. The ball will see some exciting initiatives and provide the industry with an opportunity to celebrate both the history of Market City and the new era in the fresh produce industry.

The ball continues to get bigger and better, thanks largely to the continued and increasing support of our sponsors. It is Market City fresh produce premier event for the year. Last year almost 500 retailers, wholesalers, producers and suppliers of fresh produce attended the Ball and Awards night.

Sponsorship Opportunity

We would like to provide you with an opportunity to again participate as a sponsor of this years event. We believe that these opportunities provide your company with the exposure and recognition within the broader Market City community and could provide a fantastic networking result.

This year, we have increased our investment in the event with unique and fabulous entertainment complementing the thrills and excitement of the award winners getting their well-deserved recognition. This years Ball promises to be a night of entertainment and excitement for all concerned.

Ticket/Table Purchases

Similarly, should you simply wish to purchase tickets or a table ($1,650 +GST), I suggest you contact Inci on
9455 2742 or email to book as soon as possible as the venue has limited capacity.

Please dont hesitate to contact Inci on 9455 2742 or email : inci@cfviwa.com.au if you require any further information on this or alternate sponsorship options.

We look forward to celebrating our industry achievements and its future with you on the night!

Nominations are now being sought for the 2016 WA Fresh Produce Retailer Of The Year Awards.
Finalists and Winners of these awards will be announced at The Market City Ball on Friday 22nd July 2016 at the Crown Casino Entertainment Complex.

The WA Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year Awards are conducted by the Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries in WA (CFVIWA) and Perth Markets Limited(PML). Now in their fourteenth year, the Awards match the best of WA’s top fresh fruit and vegetable retailers in a spirit of friendly yet competitive rivalry.

The Award categories are:

WA Fresh Produce Award – Metropolitan Store.
WA Fresh Produce Award – Regional Store
WA Fresh Produce Award for Small Store. (floor space less than 120m2).
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Metropolitan.
Best Fresh Produce Section within a National Supermarket – Regional.
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Metropolitan.
Best Fresh Produce Section within an Independent Supermarket – Regional.
Best Weekend Market Retailer. For individual stallholders whose business is conducted in temporary premises and only weekends (Friday to Sunday).

Nomination form available under Documents on this website or from the Chamber office.

For further information please contact Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries in WA on
(08) 9455 2742 or admin@cfviwa.com

Perth Markets Limited Chairman Paul Omodei is pleased to confirm PML has today exchanged contracts with the State Government for the sale of Market City.

The sale process now moves into its final stage, with settlement and transfer of ownership to PML to take place on 31 March 2016.

The execution of the sale contract comes after PML, an industry-based consortium of wholesalers, growers, retailers, Market City tenants and state-based market operators, was announced by the State Government as the preferred bidder for the Canning Vale site in December.

Mr Omodei said the consortium was delighted to have reached a major milestone in the sale process.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our city’s market, which has played a crucial role in supplying fresh produce to Western Australians for more than 90 years,” he said.

“In a competitive tendering process that was open to national and international bidders, it is very pleasing that PML was able to structure a proposal that was deemed by the Evaluation Panel to be superior to those from other bidders.”

“As people who live and breathe the fresh produce industry, we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”

Mr Omodei said PML’s immediate priority following settlement would be to ensure a smooth transition from public to private ownership for growers, wholesalers and retailers.

Over the longer term, PML would remain committed to providing the WA industry with security and opportunities to grow and develop, and to ensuring Western Australians continued to have access to affordable fresh produce.

“The level of industry knowledge, passion and experience PML’s investors bring mean there is no better custodian to take Perth Markets to its next phase, as a private entity.” he said.

“We will be examining all opportunities to improve services at Market City, as well as the potential for growth and development, to ensure we are delivering on our aim of maintaining a strong and secure market for generations to come.”

Perth Markets Limited Chairman Paul Omodei is pleased to confirm that our industry-based consortium of wholesalers, growers, Market City tenants and state-based market operators, was yesterday announced as the State Government’s preferred bidder for the Canning Vale site.

Mr Omodei said the State Government would now enter negotiations with PML to finalise the sale contract for Market City.

He said the PML Board wished to acknowledge efforts and commitment of the Chamber of Fruit and Vegetables Industries in WA.

“The Chamber took the initiative to lead the industry bid and has provided support since the sale process was announced in mid-2014,” he said.

“Some Chamber members are direct investors, and all are indirect investors through the Chamber’s investment in the bid. Without their support for the initial investment, and the many hours of work by the Chamber staff and committee, we would not be in the position we’re in today.”

In media reports on the announcement of the preferred bidder, Premier Colin Barnett said the industry bid was recommended following a rigorous evaluation process.

“Perth Markets Limited’s strong proposal included outstanding responses to the evaluation criteria and detailed the consortium’s ability to meet key objectives of the sale process, especially the continuation and growth of the wholesale markets,” Mr Barnett said.

Treasurer Mike Nahan said the State Government was confident Perth Markets Limited would deliver on its long-term vision for Market City, drawing on the consortium’s experience in both the local and interstate fruit and vegetable markets.

“This decision will deliver the best outcome for the industry and the State,” Mr Nahan said.

Mr Omodei said the result was a great outcome for the WA fruit and vegetable industry. Over the coming weeks, PML would engage with the State to finalise the details of the sale contract.

“Our consortium is committed to providing long-term security for the industry while maintaining competitively-priced produce for all Western Australians,” he said.

“Our bid was built on industry stakeholders who have the knowledge, passion and drive to invest in their future and grow the industry here in Western Australia.

“We are confident we can deliver long-term growth for the industry and ensure costs are controlled so Western Australian consumers continue to enjoy affordable fresh produce.”