Pol Fresh Produce market launched

Polokwane can look forward to a huge supply of the freshest produce available on a daily basis since the official launch of the Polokwane Fresh Produce Market on Friday.
The market has been trading since December last year but the stakeholders now saw it fit to host an official launch in the presence of Capricorn District acting Executive Mayor Monica Mohale and musician and reality star Penny Penny.
The Polokwane Fresh Produce Market is managed by Farm Gate Exchange (FGX), a trading platform for producers, service providers and buyers to access fresh produce. FGX in partnership with fresh fruit and vegetable trading agency RSA Group ensure that there will always be the freshest produce at market related prices daily.
FGX Managing Director Theo Botha said anyone is welcome to support the market. All customers have to do is to bring identification and register at the cashier where money will be placed on a tag. The customer will then be assisted by an agent to purchase any produce available. “We strive towards offering only the freshest fruit and vegetables as we not only source produce directly from the producers such as local farmers but also from the big names in the industry,” Botha said, adding that they source from across the country depending on the seasonal produce available.
“Approximately 300 producers situated throughout the nine provinces of South Africa are supported, ensuring consistency in the supply of a large variety of fresh produce 52 weeks of the year. This enables the market to supply sufficient volumes of high-quality fresh produce which in turn enables the market buyers to service their end-consumers every single day of the year,” Botha said.
There are also plans to expand the market in the near future. “For now most produce are available in bulk but smaller quantities for the everyday household will be stocked soon. Stakeholders are planning on expanding the floor surface of 3 000 m² to just over
5 000 m²,” Polokwane Fresh Produce Market Operational Manager, Jaco Swart said.
The market stocks a wide variety of fruit such as apples, pears, watermelon and bananas and vegetables such as beetroot, spinach, potatoes, onions and peppers.
Visit the Polokwane Fresh Produce Market from Monday to Friday between 05:00 and 11:00 and Saturdays and public holidays from 05:00 to 10:00. The market is situated at Magnesiet Street, Magna Via next to Makro and China City.

Story and photos: RC Myburgh
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