Fresh Tastes Launch

Today, Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) launches the 2008 Fresh Tastes retailer excellence program, which is designed to encourage excellence in fresh produce retailing.

It operates to support and promote the effectiveness of independent greengrocers through the provision of marketing support, networking and benchmarking information provided through the use of mystery shoppers.

The program culminates with the announcement of the Retailer of the Year. The Retailer of the Year element of the Fresh Tastes program is a positive way for industry and retailers to initiate improvement in areas such as product quality, customer service and it not only rewards excellence but also provides stores with quality feedback.

Last year, some 150 independent greengrocers participated in the program with "Farmer Joes Country Market" being the winner of the 2007 Retailer of the Year.

The announcement was made at the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner held last month at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

A similar number of stores is anticipated to be involved in this year's program which is administered by the Brisbane Markets marketing and communications team and is jointly funded by both Brismark and BML.

The program also provides an avenue for grower organisations to work with the wholesaling and retailing sectors in relation to consumer promotions and research.

This has been done very successfully on a number of occasions through the provision of promotional material and in-store demonstrations of seasonal product. The program promotes the effectiveness of the independent retailing sector and the strength of the Markets and the fresh produce industry. Growers or grower organisations wanting to know more about the Fresh Tastes program should contact BML's marketing and communications team on 07 3915 4200.