FAMILY-owned grocer Harbord Growers Market took out one of the major awards at the 2017 Sydney Markets Fresh Awards winning the Greengrocer of the Year trophy.
More than 300 independent retailers and growers across NSW and ACT participated in the awards program.
Retailers are measured through a rigorous mystery shopping program with mystery shoppers making purchases, testing industry knowledge, and engaging with staff to measure the customer’s shopping journey through the store.
The five key criteria cover all aspects of store appearance, customer service, the quality, range and freshness of produce, product knowledge and culinary execution and merchandising and branding.
Harbord Growers Market, located on the Northern Beaches at Stockland Balgowlah, has operated for 26 years over three generations daily sourcing the freshest fruit, vegetables and flowers from the Sydney Markets.
Owner Amerigo Gerace said the win was unexpected.
“This is the second time of the competition and we were shocked and humbled with winning the award. We’ve had customers and people congratulating us and acknowledging the win which is really gratifying,” Amerigo said.
“We have worked exceptionally hard to not just supply the best produce for our community, but to also make customers feel like they are a part of our store family.
“It’s an experience they can’t get at the huge chains and what helps us stand out.
“It feels extremely satisfying to be awarded for our efforts and really does show that family run businesses will never go out of style with Australians.”
The store also provides customers also with a bounty of salads, juices and take-home meals, locally sourced meats, cheeses, baked goods, condiments, and sweets together with a range of speciality imported goods from Italy, France, Spain and Greece.
“Food trends are always evolving so you need to have your hands on everything as people are more worldly than they were 10 or so years ago and the television food shows also create demand for the latest ingredients.”
