Choice Mart grocery store in Captain Cook’s Kealakekua Ranch Center
is dedicating an aisle in the produce section to locally grown citrus and
other fruit. 

Choice Mart’s well-known dedication to local growers took a step forward Monday, Feb. 2 when the store changed the produce section to feature locally grown citrus, rambutan and pineapple on the first aisle when customers walk into the store.

“The first produce aisle in most Hawaii grocery stores show apples and other imported fruit or lost leader items,” said Tom Palusak, produce manager. “Having the better quality locally grown fruit up front makes for a great display and helps the local growers who are some of our best customers as well as suppliers.

The store currently sells only locally grown avocados, papayas, pineapples and other produce, Palusak said.

“Buy Fresh, Buy Local means a lot to us,” he said.

The store also tested the brix or sugar content of imported oranges and
local oranges finding the local citrus had a higher sugar content and better taste. 

“This is a great step forward for the store, its customers and our growers,” said Ken Love from Hawaii Tropical Fruit Growers. “Choice Mart’s dedication to fruit and other produce growers should be a role model for the rest of the state.”

Choice Mart’s fresh locally grown fruit comes from dozens of Big
Island growers.