Queensland
Media Release
Friday, 13 March 2009
When husband and wife team Darin and Maree Giles open their doors this week their customers can be assured that they shop at the best fruit and vegetable greengrocer in South-East Queensland.
Karalee Fruit Plaza at Karalee was named the Brisbane Produce Market Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Year.
The announcement was made at the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, 13 March 2009.
The award is part of the Brisbane Produce Market Fresh Tastes program in which 153 South-East Queensland local and independent fruit and vegetable retailers participated in 2008.
From this group the top 25 were short listed to battle it out for the title of Retailer of the Year.
The Giles family have been working with fruit and vegetables for four generations, so it came as no surprise when Darin and Maree opened the Karalee Fruit Plaza store eight years ago.
The couple maintain an exceptionally high standard, which has seen their store win various awards including Retailer of the Month in July 2008 and being named a Retailer of the Year finalist in 2006.
Darin visits the Brisbane Produce Market daily to ensure that the team at the store can deliver top quality product to their customers.
The Fresh Tastes program is an initiative of Brisbane Markets designed to encourage excellence in fresh produce retailing.
The program is open to independent greengrocers in South East Queensland who buy produce at the Brisbane Produce Market on a regular basis.
Brisbane Markets Chief Executive Officer Andrew Young said that the Retailer of the Year element of the Fresh Tastes program was a positive way for the industry and retailers to initiate improvement in key areas such as product quality, customer service and product knowledge.
“South-East Queensland’s fruit and vegetable retailers set a high standard, and we wish to acknowledge their commitment to providing quality, fresh fruit and vegetables and outstanding service,” Mr Young said.
Brisbane Markets Marketing and Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johansen said the Fresh Tastes program meant customers were the winners.
“Each year the bar is raised and it is becoming increasingly difficult to select the winner from the group,” Ms Johansen said.
“Karalee Fruit Plaza was up against the best of the best local, independent greengrocers spread throughout South East Queensland so this is a real achievement for Darin, Maree and their team.”
“The store came out tops in the judging criteria which looked at a number of factors including customer service, quality produce, product knowledge, shop appearance, merchandising and their commitment to Brisbane Markets initiatives.”
As the winner, Karalee Fruit Plaza received a trophy and a $5,000 promotional prize.
Karalee Fruit Plaza is located at Karalee Shopping Village, Junction Road, and is open Monday to Friday 7am-6pm and Saturday 7am-5pm.
For further information including photos of Retailer of the Year (available Saturday, 14 March) contact:
Marketing & Communications Manager, Ann-Marie Johansen at Brisbane Markets Limited on 07 3915 4200 or 0409 017069 or email ajohansen@brisbanemarkets.com.au
Owners, Darin and Maree Giles at Karalee Fruit Plaza on 07 3812 3002 or 0411 073 851
Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Year finalists (alphabetical order):
- ALAND'S FRUIT & VEGE, Kilcoy
- BEERWAH FRUIT MARKET, Beerwah
- BOONAH FRUIT SUPPLY, Boonah
- BRADY'S FRUIT, Palmwoods
- BUDERIM FRUIT & VEGETABLE MARKET, Buderim
- BURLEIGH VILLAGE GREENGROCER, Burleigh Heads
- CANNON HILL FRESH, Cannon Hill
- CARINA FRESH, Carina
- CHARLIE'S FRUIT MARKET, Everton Plaza
- CLAYFIELD MARKETS FRESH, Clayfield
- FARMER JOE'S COUNTRY MARKET, Kedron
- FRESH EXTREMES FRUIT MARKET, Albany Creek
- FRESH VALUE FRENCHS FOREST, Petrie
- GARDEN OF EDEN, Chermside
- SUPA IGA BYRON, Byron Bay
- KELLY'S CORNER FRUIT MARKET, Bulimba
- OPPY'S FRUIT & VEG, Boonah
- PRICKLY PEAR, Ferny Grove
- RAINBOW MEAT & VEGIE MART, Currumbin
- SAMFORD FRESH, Samford
- SAMFORD VILLAGE GREENS, Samford
- TOP SPOT FRUIT MART, Aspley
- TROPPO'S FRUIT MARKET, Browns Plains
- TUGUN FRUIT MARKET, Tugun
[PHOTOS OF ALL STORES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST]
 
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