GP Retail 2

Joe Richards grocery chain is registered as GP retail

Birmingham wholesale firm George Perry has begun offering free fruit to children at its Joe Richards retail and grocery stores to encourage healthy eating.

The initiative will take place at the firm’s six existing shops at Earlsdon, Erdington, Harborne, and Daventry Road in Coventry, Kenilworth and Tamworth, as well as its new shop at Ball Hill in Coventry.

George Perry managing director Mark Tate said: “It's through educating and encouraging our children on what to eat now, we will drive obesity down and with the backing of schools and the government, encourage exercise and a general healthier lifestyle.

“Using the shops, we now have the medium to push this forward. Fingers crossed others may follow our venture.”

George Perry has also launched a new online wholesale service, via its new website and Click & Collect Fresh system, which Tate said he sees as “the future of the markets”.