Community & Business
9 November, 2024
Farm picks up national award
A TABLELANDS farming operation has picked up a prestigious national award for the quality and freshness of its products.
Rock Ridge Fresh was named Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year at Coles’s annual Supplier Partner Awards for its commitment to growing avocados, ensuring consistent availability of the popular produce for the supermarket’s customers.
The awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of Coles suppliers across various categories including meat, seafood and deli, fresh produce, bakery, liquor, supply chain, community champion, sustainability and ecommerce.
With thousands of suppliers to Coles, winning the Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year award is no mean feat.
“With meticulous attention to detail throughout the growing, packing and ripening process, Rock Ridge Fresh delivers fresh produce with year-round supply,” was how the farming operation was described.
Rock Ridge was one of three finalists in last year’s awards in the same category, so the win in 2024 has thrilled all those involved with the farm including owners Peter and Chelley Howe.
Rock Ridge grows produce on nine different farming sites and provides avocados and bananas to Coles, starting as a supplier seven years ago.
Peter says the supermarket is a “large part” of the business and “a very important partner”.
But to be successful, the operation must follow strict processes.
“They have very strict specifications for what’s acceptable for each product, so it takes a lot of effort on the farming side to make sure we’re growing great quality fruit and grading/packing it correctly,” Chelley said.
“Our business partner on the marketing side of things, Paul Wilson, works really hard to make sure to fill Coles’ orders each time, which can be a bit tricky depending on harvest fluctuations.
“You simply can’t let them down, they expect great quality fruit to land in the required locations, on the exact days and times they need it.
“Rock Ridge Fresh, the marketing arm of the business, is actually a year-round supplier for Coles as they source quality produce from growers in other states when the North Queensland avocado supply runs out.”
The farm has between 150-250 employees throughout the year, producing around 700,000 5kg trays of avocados and one million 15kg boxes of bananas this year, but it also supplies fruit from some other fantastic local growers who have helped to build the Rock Ridge Fresh business.
“We have great managers and fantastic team members in our business who made this possible,” Chelley said.
“We have such a hard-working team and everyone is crucial in growing and supplying the best quality avocados and bananas.”
Coles Chief Commercial Officer Anna Croft said she was delighted to honour supplier partners for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.
“We deeply value the partnerships we have with our suppliers – some that we have enjoyed for many decades,” Anna said.
“Whether its across fresh food, packaged groceries, liquor or ecommerce, we are proud to work alongside such talented and devoted partners. Their creativity, expertise and commitment to the industry help deliver on our purpose to help Australians eat and live better every day.”
