Second-time nominated Fresh Fellas’ Heath McInerney says they have a good chance of taking home the award this year.
“We put so much effort into customer service, meeting their requirements on time, every time and making sure our growers’ products are the highest quality,” he said.
“Ours is relationship-based industry and we are extremely price conscious so that we can pass on those benefits to the customers who are the independent grocers and one of the main reasons why Australia enjoys amazing, homegrown, fresh food that doesn’t have to be imported.”
With wombok cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, broccoli, tomato, capsicum, cucumber and celery among his main lines, Heath sources product from South Australia and Queensland in the winter and Tasmanian, Victoria and NSW, including the nation’s most premium produce from the Sydney basin, over summer.
“You’ve got to follow the seasonal produce, there’s quite a science to it; I think most people would be amazed to learn about our industry which is worth $10 billion a year,” he said.
Other finalists in the Wholesaler of the Year category include Perfection Fresh, Preferred Fruit and TV Farms, while Gourmand Providore, MD Providore and Velluti’s – The Fruit and Veg Co are vying for Providore of the Year.
Winners will be announced on September 8, with Sydney Markets CEO Brad Latham saying the awards shine a light on the achievements of local business owners: “They have all survived the turmoil of the past two years and should be celebrated.”
