The supermarket chain today signed, for the fifth consecutive year, the collaboration that aims to promote and market this fruit in the company's establishments.
This year the agreement includes the participation of seven farmers and the production of more than 24.000 cultivated apple trees.
SPAR Gran Canaria plans to market nine tons of Reineta apples from Valleseco in the company's establishments during the next four months after renewing, for the fifth consecutive year, the collaboration agreement to promote the consumption and distribution of this fruit.
This year's agreement includes seven local farmers, the participation of the companies Sidras Nieblas and Sendero del Valle, and the production of more than 24.000 current apple trees, exceeding the 5.000 specimens cultivated in 2022 when the 'Fresh Apples' pilot project was launched.
SPAR Gran Canaria's commitment to local products contributes to economic development, job creation and territorial sustainability, while reinforcing its commitment to the consumer by offering fresh, top-quality and locally sourced products.
The signing of this agreement with the company was attended by the President of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Antonio Morales; the Mayor of Valleseco, José Luis Rodríguez; Tamara Cruz, representing the Regional Executive Committee of COAG Canarias; and María Belén Rodríguez, representing the farmers. SPAR Gran Canaria was represented by its President, Ángel Medina, and Vice President, José López.
The President of the Island Council, Antonio Morales, expressed his gratitude for the continued support that SPAR Gran Canaria provides to the island's farmers. “Investing in local products is investing in the future of Gran Canaria. Furthermore, this agreement strengthens the primary sector's ability to generate wealth and employment, while also contributing to the circular economy and preserving the island's agricultural landscape,” Morales explained.
The mayor of Valleseco, José Luis Rodríguez, agreed with Morales on the benefits and impact this collaboration has on the municipality. “From the Town Hall, we are working to ensure that the agricultural landscape of Valleseco, that mosaic landscape that forms part of our identity, remains vibrant,” the mayor pointed out.
In this regard, Rodríguez pointed out that “planting apple trees allows us to reclaim land, maintain agricultural activity and generate a production that, in addition to having enormous gastronomic and cultural value, can become a complementary source of income for our farming families.”
For his part, the president of SPAR Gran Canaria, Ángel Medina, highlighted the benefits of the renewal for the island's households. “This agreement allows us to continue offering quality products to our customers at competitive market prices. Supporting local suppliers strengthens the viability of our crops without causing losses for producers or burdening consumers,” he stated.
“Commitment to the Canary Islands' agricultural sector is part of SPAR Gran Canaria's DNA. Working hand in hand with those who dedicate themselves to maintaining our primary sector is also a way of preserving our identity. Traditional crops, the agricultural landscape, and the hard work of our people are elements that form part of who we are as a society,” explained Ángel Medina.
Also present at the signing of this agreement were the CEO of Rural Management of the Canary Islands (GMR Canarias), Juan Antonio Alonso; the Island Director of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Alejandro Báez; the councilors of Primary Sector and Local Development of the Valleseco City Council, Francisco Rodríguez and Rosa Delia Quintana, respectively, and the agricultural engineer of the Gran Canaria Island Council, Carlos Martell.
Also participating on behalf of the supermarket chain were the company's general manager, Dunia Pérez, and representatives from SPAR Valleseco.
An agreement to revive a flagship local crop
In 2022, the Gran Canaria Island Council, the Valleseco City Council and SPAR Gran Canaria launched the 'Fresh Apples' pilot project, which aimed to improve the quality and quantity of local apples and open a marketing channel that would offer a fair price to the farmer.
Currently, this initiative is integrated into the Island Program for the Valorization of the Reineta Apple and is renewed every year by the producers, the supermarket chain and the public administrations to reinforce the original strategy of recovery of this emblematic crop and the distribution of local production.
The first campaign exceeded sales forecasts for the Valleseco Reineta apple by 35,71%, demonstrating the positive reception of this locally sourced product by consumers.
Since then, the number of participating farmers has steadily increased, as has the cultivated area. Today, more than 24.000 apple trees have been planted, after the project began with around 5.000.
The free transfer of space in the Mercalaspalmas infrastructure by SPAR Gran Canaria reinforced the viability of this agreement, since the storage of large quantities of apples in cold storage chambers allows for the organization of larger and less frequent collections, prolonging the preservation of the fruit and facilitating the logistics of island marketing.
This allows the entire harvest to be used, since part of the fruit is destined for fresh sale and the remainder for cider production.
The operational efficiency of the distribution chain in this agreement and the extensive network of establishments that SPAR Gran Canaria has guarantees that consumers will have access to the products under this agreement in optimal conditions and in record time.
About SPAR Gran Canaria
SPAR Gran Canaria is the only supermarket chain with 100% Canarian capital present in all 21 municipalities of the island. Through its online sales channel, SPAR Gran Canaria offers top-quality, fresh, local produce. The chain remains the sales leader in the fruit and vegetable category and a benchmark food company thanks to its friendly service, quality, and personalized attention.
