The image of greengrocers received a boost at the weekend thanks to the BBC's Test the Nation programme that was broadcast on prime-time terrestrial television on October 8. Greengrocers were one of six teams of different trades answering tricky questions on the English language in the studio as the audience was encouraged to participate at home.
The 40-strong team sat in the best position behind the main presenter and received the support of three of six celebrity guests on the show as well as both members of the experts panel.
At least six of the show's participants were subscribers to Greengrocers' Campaigner run by Christine Fisher who helped the BBC recruit the participants. "It showed that the greengrocery trade is alive and kicking," said Fisher.
The greengrocers were beaten into fifth place by a winning team of radio presenters, which was followed up by surgeons, undergraduates and ballroom dancers with receptionists in lowly last place. The greengrocer team was the only all-male team.
"I think it was very positive for the trade as there were some very positive comments made on the programme itself," said Craig Copland of The Handy Shop in Crieff, Perthshire who travelled to the show with brothers Ross and Malcolm who are also involved in the 10-year old family business. "I think that there are good times ahead for greengrocers as people are starting to realise supermarkets don't offer them everything they want - they don't have the personal service and they don't always have the quality nor are they always as cheap."
Fisher believes also believes the programme was a good pr boost for her membership, and echoed Copland's comments on the future for greengrocers. "Almost 200 new greengrocers have opened around the country in the past year," she said. "So fresh blood is coming into the trade and we must make sure wholesalers and growers recognise this and do more to help independent greengrocers."
Greengrocers' Campaigner hopes to target wholesalers to encourage them to give support to new greengrocer start-ups.
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