Joe Giangregorio Crowned 2022 Cherry King as auction raises $50,000 for The Leukaemia Foundation

 

To celebrate the 2022 South Australian cherry season, South Australia’s wholesale fruit and vegetable market community went head to head in an auction bidding war this morning in Pooraka to raise money for The Leukaemia Foundation.

Angelo Demasi, SA Produce Market CEO, said “It was an honour to crown Joe Giangregorio of Rainbow Fresh the 2022 Cherry King. The Market Community have made significant donations to charities and we are delighted to have partnered this year with The Leukaemia Foundation who will receive a donation of 100% of the proceeds raised from the auction.”

The winning bidder, crowned the Cherry King, was supported by a number of sponsors including Ashton Valley Fresh, the Romeo Foundation, the William Buck Foundation, the South Australian Produce Market, the SA Chamber of Fruit and Veg, SA Mushrooms and other silent parties who contributed to the final donation.

The Leukaemia Foundation General Manager of Blood Cancer Partnerships, Tim Murphy, said the proceeds from the auction will make a real difference to supporting the 135,000 Australians living with blood cancer today.

“We’re delighted to partner with the SA Produce Market as their ‘Cherrity-of-choice’ this year. We thank them and the generous bidders of Adelaide whose ‘cherriosity’ will help the Leukaemia Foundation ensure blood cancer patients across the country have access to the right information, support and care they need to fight the disease as well as someone to turn to every step of the way,” said Mr Murphy.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, who attended the event to officially open the South Australian grown cherry season and to crown the winning bidder, said South Australia’s cherries were some of the best in the country.

“The growers have had a delay to the season due to poor weather, but we are all hoping for a bumper Christmas cherry season for our South Australian growers,” Minister Scriven said.

“I encourage everyone to continue to support our local growers as much as possible during this summer season!”

The SA cherry season commenced the middle of November when small volumes started to appear at the South Australian Produce Market from the Riverland with peak supplies from the Adelaide Hills due the middle to late of December.

Pick a Local, Pick SA! Campaign Manager Penny Reidy encouraged South Aussies to support growers by purchasing in season local cherries

“The recent cooler weather, coupled with the rain, has delayed the start of the Adelaide Hills varieties which will mean supplies should be increasing from mid December.“ Ms Reidy said.

“I encourage every South Australian household to take the opportunity to purchase a box of locally grown South Australian cherries from their independent fruit and vegetable store.”

“Look for your local fruit and veg store displaying the Pick a Local Pick SA! sign to know that you are providing support to South Australian growers, wholesalers and retailers.”

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