Media Releases
Fresh produce leader invests $5 million in an environmentally-friendly capital project
Release Date: August 09, 2011
South Australia’s centre for distribution and marketing of fresh fruit and vegetables this month commenced a $5 million capital project to improve logistics and employment attraction at its commercial wholesale market in Pooraka.
“This project with its innovative ground-breaking design represents a significant capital investment in the industry and will create an opportunity for the market to change the way it operates between growers, wholesalers, retailers and other industry players”, Chief Executive Officer Angelo Demasi said.
The project will see roof space almost doubled to 70,000 square metres, resulting in fresh produce being protected from the elements of the weather at all times while it travels through the market system.
The vast roof area will also allow captured fresh water to be directed to the City of Salisbury stormwater harvesting system and for future investment into solar power generation.
“As fresh produce will be protected from the weather during every step in the chain, this now means we will not only have better quality produce, but greater flexibility towards market hours, opening the way for cost efficiencies and a more family-friendly working environment”, Mr Demasi said.
Mr Demasi said he was hopeful that future trading hours would see an influx of younger people entering the wonderful world of fruit and vegetables, especially whose who had previously been deterred due to the early operating hours.
“We were delighted to award the contract to local firm Pike Constructions with structured steel being fabricated by another local business, Manuele Engineers at their new state-of-the-art complex in North Plympton”, Mr Demasi said.
Upon completion of the project, the Adelaide Produce Market would become the largest undercover market in South Australia. Completion is due December.
Media, photo enquiries (including graphics of the project):
Julian Carbone, Marketing & Business Development Manager
(08) 8349 4493, 0408 877 797
