Fresh Tastes ROM - Burleigh Village Greengrocer

How times have changed for Burleigh Village Greengrocer owner Jason Smith. Four years ago he was running a popular ‘fish and chippery’ at Burleigh Heads and now he is winning awards as a Fresh Tastes fruit and vegetable retailer.

The James Street greengrocer has received the Brisbane Markets Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Month award for September 2008.

This is the first time the store has won the award. They made the ‘top 10’ retailer list in May and it was this recognition which inspired them to take out the monthly win.

The Smith family has been the local fishmongers in thriving James Street for over 15 years. In 2004 the fruit shop next door came on the market and Jason decided it was time to branch out and try something new, so he bought the business.

“When I purchased the shop the first decision was to update the buying procedures. I now drive up the highway to the Brisbane Markets at least three times a week to choose the freshest produce and the right varieties for my customers,” Jason Smith said.

Since his business shift into fruit and vegetables, Jason can now afford better work/life balance. Working as a greengrocer allows him to spend more time with his young family.

“It is always a balance, any working parent must walk the line of business success through hard work and long hours with the ongoing commitment to family,” said Jason.

It is the combination of this balanced hard work and a selective buying procedure that has seen this relatively new store achieve recognition within the Fresh Tastes program.

Brisbane Markets’ Fresh Tastes program is a Brisbane Markets initiative to encourage excellence in fresh produce retailing. Participating retailers are provided with point of sale materials, in-store competitions, e-newsletters, development sessions, promotional opportunities and mystery shopping.

A mystery shopper visits their store twice throughout the year for the Retailer of the Month and Retailer of the Year awards. More than 150 independent fruit and vegetable retailers throughout South-East Queensland participate in the Brisbane Markets Fresh Tastes program.

Brisbane Markets Marketing and Communications Manager, Ann-Marie Johansen said the Fresh Tastes program meant customers were the winners, with greengrocers like Burleigh Village Greengrocer offered support to develop their staff’s customer service skills and their ability to supply the highest quality fruit and vegetables.

“By being part of the Fresh Tastes program our retailers demonstrate their commitment to excellence in produce, service and continual improvement which means a great shopping experience for their customers,” Ms Johansen said.

Burleigh Village Greengrocer is located at 5 James Street at Burleigh Heads and is open seven days a week from 6am – 6pm.