Respected retailer Evergreens celebrated the sixth anniversary of its Kempton Park store in Gauteng by reaffirming its commitment to traceable and high-quality food.
The birthday event, held this past weekend at the Kempton Park store, created a vibrant market-like experience. Customers enjoyed lively music, supplier interactions, generous giveaways, and a special offering of apples from long-standing supplier partner, Tru-Cape.
Since its humble beginnings in Pretoria, Evergreens has grown into a respected retail force within the fresh produce sector. Today, the Kempton Park branch alone moves approximately 60 000 cartons of Tru-Cape apples each year — an impressive volume for a single independent outlet.
“Our customers expect consistency and freshness. By working directly with producers like Tru-Cape, we’re able to deliver on that promise without relying on distribution centres. That’s a competitive advantage in both value and quality, as our customers know they’re getting top-quality apples directly from the farmer,” the retailer said in a statement.
Looking ahead, Evergreens is showing no signs of slowing down, with plans to open a third store in Pretoria North by 2026.
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Strong supplier ties deepen celebration
Joining in the festivities was Johan Brink, sales director at Tru-Cape. As South Africa’s largest apple and pear exporter, and a key supplier to Evergreens, Tru-Cape’s presence at the celebration underscored the significance of the partnership.
Tru-Cape now supplies between 80% and 90% of Evergreens’ apples. “Evergreens doesn’t just sell an apple — they sell a Tru-Cape apple. That distinction matters to consumers, especially when freshness, provenance, and consistency are key purchase drivers,” Brink said.
The success of the relationship highlights the power of integrated supply partnerships in delivering not just product, but value, transparency, and logistical efficiency.
Brink also reflected personally on the relationship: “I’ve known Evergreens since I was a schoolboy. My father was a market agent on the Pretoria market, and when I joined Tru-Cape in 2002, I set up our first meeting with the retailer. The rest is history.”
A shared vision for the future
Amid rising input costs, logistical complexities, and shifting consumer expectations, Evergreens and Tru-Cape continue to demonstrate the value of long-term alliances in navigating industry challenges.
“Retailers like Evergreens are vital to our local sales strategy. Their growth creates new avenues for our fruit, and our alignment helps ensure their customers receive the best possible product,” Brink said.
Evergreens is committed to expanding their footprint while nurturing dependable partnerships. “We plan to keep growing hand in hand with partners like Tru-Cape. The goal is simple: top-quality produce for every customer, every day,” the retailer stated.
Brink concluded with a tribute to Evergreens and its leadership. “Evergreens’ directors are hands-on and take pride in the day-to-day functions. Congratulations on six incredible years in Kempton Park. We look forward to continuing this journey with you and wish you every success in the years ahead,” he said.
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