Leading Australian retailer Woolworths announced on Wednesday 4 September that it plans to invest A$3m (US$2.75m) to source all canned fruit marketed under its own brand from Australian company SPC Ardmona.
SPC Ardmona specialises in large fruit packing and owns and operates a canning factory in Shepparton, Victoria.
Woolworths’ decision means that all of its own brand of canned apples, pears, peaches and apricots are set to be Australian-sourced.
SPC Ardmona believes this decision will save 50,000 trees in the Goulburn Valley region and provide business for 118 local fruit growers.
“Canned fruit is an iconic pantry item,” sais Jim Stephan, head of canned and frozen goods for Woolworths. “Our customers are passionate about great food, and so are we – they want to see more Australian sourced products on our shelves wherever possible, and so do we.
“Woolworths is very pleased to be able to extend its contract with SPC Ardmona by an additional A$3m (US$2.75m) to ensure that all of our own brand canned deciduous fruit is Australian sourced. The new Australian sourced products from SPC Ardmona are expected to hit our shelves in September 2014.
“Woolworths already ranges SPC Ardmona’s branded lines – SPC, Goulburn Valley and Ardmona – they are our single largest supplier of canned fruit. They are a great local partner and we’re pleased that we have been able to work together to get even more Aussie canned fruit onto our shelves for our customers to enjoy.”
“This commitment to Australian grown and produced products is exactly what the industry and our Australian farmers need,” added Peter Kelly, SPC Ardmona managaing director. “The volume generated by this decision from Woolworths equates to approximately 50,000 fruit trees per year in the Goulburn Valley. These are trees which may have otherwise been destroyed.”
