SPAR Gran Canaria community commitment continues

December 30, 2019 IN THE CATEGORY: Responsible retailing

SPAR Gran Canaria is renowned for their focus on responsible retailing, supporting the Las Palmas Down Association and their island’s local farmers, including environmental impact reduction. They support the growth, production and sales of local potatoes and oranges, sold in their SPAR supermarkets under the brand SPAR Canarias Harvest.

Developing skills through training

As collaborating partner and in line with its social commitment policy, SPAR Gran Canaria is supporting the training and awareness campaign of the local Down Association.  Currently, there are several workers with Down Syndrome following an internship or working in SPAR stores on the island with the intention of increasing the numbers to ensure that everyone is given an opportunity to work. Initially, they are given support from the Down Association assistant but once adapted, they are full colleagues who are happy to earn a wage and be more independent. SPAR will be actively involved in making visible the daily reality of many people with Down Syndrome as well as their families, integrating them as volunteers into the company’s social initiatives.

Supporting local producers

SPAR Gran Canaria sold more than 250,000 kilos of oranges under their brand ‘SPAR Canarias Harvest’ in all 18 SPAR Supermarkets in Telde comprising the Washington, Navelina Newhall and Lane Late varietals, characterised mainly by their large size and degree of sweetness, ensuring excellent quality for consumption, both as table oranges and juice. The leading Canarian chain supported Telde farmers for the seventh consecutive year by signing an agreement that ensures the sale of their crops. Once again, SPAR Gran Canaria, which is unsurpassed in fresh produce sales on the island, supports the primary sectors of the Islands, while guaranteeing its customers local, fresh, quality products.

Building on last year’s successful potato harvest, SPAR Gran Canaria distributed 85,000 kilos of seed potato of the Cara, Rudolf, Spunta, and Picasso varieties among nine local farmers. The anticipated production from this donation of 1.3 million kilos of potatoes will be made available for consumers in all  189 SPAR stores. Signing an agreement for the tenth time, in line with their zero kilometre strategy which also supports integrated production methods, ensuring maximum freshness and quality, the agreement has resulted in the creation of new jobs. Complementing locally sourced items are also fruit and vegetables procured from the nearby islands, thereby generally increasing regional business in addition to local.

The president of SPAR Gran Canaria, Angel Medina, said at the signing that “a square metre of cultivation generates wealth for our islands and stimulates new generations, making them aware that it is worth working the land. We want SPAR Gran Canaria to be an example that demonstrates that working together supports continued growth.”

Source: SPAR Spain

Read more news from SPAR Spain.


About SPAR Spain

SPAR Spain was founded in 1959 as a result of the coming together of a group of wholesalers who wished to be part of an international organisation. The brand became the first voluntary trading chain to be established in Spain.

The head office is located in Barcelona, providing buying, marketing, communication and brand support to the 13 regional partners, continuing the expansion of the brand across the country.

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