Pick n Pay helps out farmers, keeps customers in the loop
JOBURG - Pick n Pay have put up signs stating that their fresh produce is not of its usual standard. This is part of an initiative to support local farmers while still giving customers the right to choose.
Pick n Pay has put up apology signs among their fruits and vegetables during the drought to apologise for the standards of their fresh produce. This admission of guilt is not quite what it looks like at first glance as Pick n Pay is trying to protect farmers.
David North, Pick n Pay group executive said, “The drought has clearly created difficulties for some fruit and vegetable growers. We are working very hard with our suppliers to ensure that customers get the products they want and that any price increases are kept to a minimum. We can assure all our customers that it is business as usual at Pick n Pay.”
North further said, “In a small number of cases, suppliers have made available some fresh produce which, while perfectly good to eat, does not conform exactly to our specifications, for example on size or shape. We have highlighted these products to our customers, indicating that we are giving them an opportunity to support our farmers, reduce waste and buy perfectly nutritious local products.”
Pick n Pay’s thinking behind this initiative, according to North, is that Pick n Pay wanted to stock these products to support the South African farming community. He went on to say that Pick n Pay have had very positive feedback from their customers who are supportive of what they are doing by putting up signage.
With regards to the sales statistics at Pick n Pay, North said, “We have not seen any drop in sales at all. The signs went up in store about 10 days ago.”
He stressed, “Please do note that these are not inferior products at all. They may differ in terms of size or shape specifications but this does not affect the quality of the produce at all.”
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