South Australia has a new ‘cherry king’

A winning bid of A$50,000 has crowned Anthony Romeo (pictured second from left) the 2021 ‘cherry king’ following the annual cherry auction held at the South Australian Produce Market.

The 5kg box of Adelaide Hills grown cherries came in at a premium of A$10,000 per kg, with Romeo, director of Romeo’s Retail Group, holding off rival bidders.

To celebrate the 2021 South Australian cherry season, South Australia’s independent fruit and vegetable retailers went head-to-head in an auction bidding war to raise money for Camp Quality.

Angelo Demasi, SA Produce Market chief executive said it was an honour to crown Anthony Romeo the 2021 ‘cherry king’.

“The market community have made significant donations to charities supporting children with Cancer and we are delighted to have partnered this year with Camp Quality who will receive a donation of 100 per cent of the proceeds raised from the auction,” said Demasi.

Camp Quality partnerships manager, Simon Renshaw, said the generous donation will make a real difference to the lives of kids impacted by cancer.

“We are so thankful to SA Produce Market for supporting Camp Quality and giving kids facing cancer the chance to be kids again. Camp Quality supports hundreds of SA families facing the trauma of a cancer diagnosis and this donation will fund vital services and programs for them at every stage of the cancer experience.”

South Australian premier Steven Marshall attended the event to officially open the South Australian grown cherry season and to crown the winning bidder. He exclaimed South Australia’s cherries as some of the best in the country.

“I’m hoping for a bumper Christmas cherry season for our wonderful growers here in South Australia,” Premier Marshall said.

“It’s even sweeter to be here today to raise money for such an important cause, Camp Quality - so thank you to everyone involved in what is always a key event to kick of the Christmas season here in SA.”

Pick a Local, Pick SA! campaign manager Penny Reidy encouraged South Australians 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 plentiful from next week right through until the New Year,” said Reidy.