Co-op trials loose sales of local fruit, veg
SOME locally-produced fruit and vegetables started to be sold loose last week by the Channel Islands Co-operative Society as part of a trial to cut single-use packaging.
So far 26 different types of Channel Islands produce are being sold loose at the two Grand Marche stores. That includes rhubarb, potatoes, leeks and courgettes.
Head of retail operations, Kenny McDonald, said the society was keen to move away from single-use plastics, where possible.
‘This follows feedback from members who wanted to see how we could improve and reduce packaging,’ he said.
‘We need to get the balance right. We can’t do it for soft fruits, like strawberries. But it is fine for more robust fruit and vegetables. The customers are happy to buy loose produce. Then they can buy what they want for their needs.’
He said the feedback over the first week had been positive and the society would be monitoring how it went.
‘This is a trial in the Grand Marche stores [in Guernsey at St Martin’s and St Sampsons] as they are our biggest stores,’ he said.
‘In a couple of months we will look at the feedback and we could do it in the smaller stores.’
He said the company had carefully looked at the pricing of loose and pre-packaged produce to make sure they were balanced.
Suppliers have been on board with supplying loose produce.
‘It’s more simple for them,’ Mr McDonald said.
Other changes are afoot. Plastic vegetable bags will be going later this year, with islanders instead getting the option to buy re-usable cotton bags.
