Coles and SPC Ardmona sign canned fruit contract

Coles has committed to using 100% Australian produce for its private label canned peaches, pears and apricots from early 2014 under a contract with SPC Ardmona. The contract is due to commence with the November harvest.

The contract will see Coles source more than 600,000 kg of additional fruit each year from Goulburn Valley that was previously sourced internationally. This will bring the total volume sourced by Coles from the region and SPC Ardmona to more than 4 million kg of fruit annually.

“This new offer, including the sourcing of 100% Australian grown Coles brand canned peaches, pears and apricots from SPC Ardmona, as well as our investment in national marketing campaigns, is a demonstration of Coles’ commitment to local sourcing and the growers of the Goulburn Valley,” said Coles Chief Operating Officer John Durkan.

Coles also stocks more than 170 lines of SPC Ardmona product, including its private label and SPC-branded ranges. The company says that more than 80% of the preserved fruit on Coles shelves is sourced from SPC Ardmona and the Murray Goulburn region.