Market Australia festival highlights quality of Australian products
13 March 2014
Recognising the continually evolving tastes and preferences of discriminating Filipino consumers, the Metro Retail Stores Group has partnered with the Australian Embassy to launch Market Australia, a three-week food and beverage festival highlighting the quality, range and diversity of Australian products available in the Philippines.
“We are happy to partner with the Metro Retail Stores Group in showcasing Australian food and beverage, to let discriminating Filipino consumers know that Australian products are ‘Clean, Green and Safe,’” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell during the Market Australia launch on 13 March 2014 at the new Metro Supermarket in Alabang Town Center, Muntinlupa City.
Metro Retail Stores President and COO Eduardo Ponce likewise expressed appreciation for the partnership. "One of the core values of the Metro Retail Stores Group is forging and strengthening alliances with its business partners. We are therefore gratified to have forged this partnership with the Australian Embassy and we look forward to a continued relationship in promoting and exploring new product opportunities from Australia." According to Mr. Ponce, “Metro Supermarket boasts of the widest selection of food and beverage items from Australia, and this kind of supermarket finds endears Metro Supermarket to its shoppers, providing market access and generating a devout following for Australian products."
Ambassador Tweddell and Mr Ponce were joined by Metro Retail Stores Chairman and CEO Frank Gaisano and Austrade Senior Trade Commissioner Anthony Weymouth in welcoming guests to an afternoon of Australian wine, cheese, beef, lamb and fresh fruits.
Ambassador Tweddell explained how Australian products are subject to high quality standards to be ‘Clean, Green and Safe’: “Australian food and beverages are ‘Clean’ because in Australia, we have a pristine growing environment for our livestock and produce. A clean environment ensures that only the freshest and best quality products are produced. ‘Green’ because Australian companies utilize growing and production processes that are environmentally friendly and sustainable. ‘Safe’ because Australia’s food production processes have high levels of regulatory supervision and strict quality standards. We have food safety management and traceability systems in place.”
Market Australia allows Metro shoppers to get to know more about Australian products through in-store educational product boards on the various types of Australian wine, cheese, meat and fresh produce available in all participating branches. There are also sampling activities every weekend, for shoppers to try some of the products on offer at the stores. Pick-a-Prize Promo also starts this weekend, where eligible shoppers may win an Australian Cheese Booklet, a Beef and Lamb recipe card, and select Australian food items.
Market Australia runs from 13 March to 6 April in six Metro Supermarket branches, namely, Market! Market! in Taguig City, Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City, Marquee Mall in Pampanga, Ayala Center in Cebu, Lucky Chinatown Mall in Binondo, and Super Metro at The District Northpoint in Talisay City, Negros Occidental.
For more information on Market Australia, please contact Ms Liza Bautista, Business Development Manager at Austrade Manila ([email protected]).