Coles welcomes more SA suppliers as demand for home grown produce soars

‘Meet the Buyer’ event provides springboard for new local lines

A raft of new home grown South Australian products will be welcomed into Coles stores across the state from this month as a direct result of the supermarket’s inaugural ‘Meet the Buyer’ event held in Adelaide in August.

Already nine new local suppliers and 20 products will be stocked on Coles’ shelves following the successful event, with more local producers set to partner with Coles in the future.

Riverland oranges from Caudo Vineyards, Clare Valley olive oil from Warrick Grove and Limestone Coast vinegar from Pendleton Fine Foods are among new local products to secure shelf space in stores in SA.

Coles’ South Australian General Manager Vito Borrello said many other local suppliers such as Mexican Express, Country Bones Pet Treats, Country Cuisine Pet Food, Lewis Horticulture and Vella Pasta have also partnered with the supermarket following meetings with Coles’ buyers at the Adelaide Showground on August 17.

“Our inaugural ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in Adelaide provided producers from across South Australia with an excellent opportunity to meet the supermarket’s team of expert buyers and showcase their wares,” said Mr Borrello.

“We were delighted with the response we received from SA suppliers on the day and the overall quality of products, so it’s not surprising that so many have since partnered with Coles where their fantastic locally made products will soon become available on shelves across the state.”

“Our research shows that local shoppers prefer to buy local products so we’ll continue to source more home grown produce wherever we can to satisfy consumer demand and support local suppliers.”

Coles’ first ever ‘Meet the Buyer’ event attracted approximately 100 South Australian producers and continued its commitment to source more local products following recent research indicating that almost 70% of Australians strongly preferred to purchase Australian made products.

Gelista Premium Gelati is another local company which will soon have its products included on Coles’ shelves in SA.

“We are absolutely thrilled to partner with Coles and offer our range of gelati products to even more South Australians,” said Peter Cox, Managing Director of Gelista Premium Gelati.

“The ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in August really proved to be the catalyst for us as it afforded a terrific opportunity to speak to Coles directly about our fresh gelati and why it should be stocked.

“We’re really happy that Coles has not only recognised the quality of our products, but also many other home grown products too which is a tremendous boost to South Australian suppliers.”

Under Coles’ ‘Australia First’ sourcing policy, more than 90% of Coles brand grocery products are already Australian made along with all fresh meat and fruit and vegetables when in season. In South Australia, Coles purchases more than $250 million worth of fresh meat, fruit and vegetables from local producers every year.

For further information, images and interviews, contact Natalie Ciccocioppo at Hughes Public Relations on 08 8412 4100 or at natalie@hughespr.com.au.