The time is ripe for strawberry lovers, with the South Australian strawberry season officially in full swing.

Pick A Local, Pick SA! is teaming up with the SA Strawberry Association and Romeo’s Foodland Rundle Mall to celebrate the return of the summer fruit.

On Thursday, November 12, all proceeds from the sale of every punnet of strawberries sold at Romeo’s Foodland Rundle Mall store will be donated to The Childhood Cancer Association– one of Australia’s key childhood cancer support organisations providing practical, hands on support to children with cancer, and their families.

Despite doing it tough this year, with bushfires and the challenges of Covid-19, local growers are digging deep, donating pallets of strawberries in the hope of raising $5,000 for the charity.

With ripe, juicy strawberries in abundance, there will be a day of in-store activities, including a strawberry themed cooking demonstration by Pick a Local, Pick SA! ambassador and MasterChef Callum Hann at 12:15pm.

Childhood Cancer Association Ambassadors Jodie & Soda will also be in the mix, battling it out in a cheesecake decorating competition which will be judged by Callum.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development of South Australia, David Basham MP, will attend to officially launch the season at 1:15pm.

There will be plenty of fresh South Australian strawberries to be sampled on the day as well as an appearance by Harvest The Fleurieu’s colourful strawberry mascot.

Childhood Cancer Association fundraising volunteers will also be in-store at Romeo’s Foodland Rundle Mall selling merchandise and taking donations with their mascot

Market Fresh SA’s Pick a Local, Pick SA! Campaign Manager Penny Reidy is encouraging South Aussies to support growers and the charity by purchasing local strawberries and getting involved on the day.

“Local strawberries are now in season, consumers can find sweet to eat strawberries being supplied by local growers,” Ms Reidy said.

“The greatest support South Australians can give our strawberry industry is to buy local.”

The SA strawberry season kicked off at the beginning of November with volumes increasing and now appearing at the South Australian Produce Market and on the shelves of independent retailers.

“Whether on a pavlova, or in a fruit salad, everyone loves strawberries in summer,” Ms Reidy said.

“I encourage every South Australian household to take the opportunity to purchase a punnet of locally grown South Australian strawberries from their independent fruit and vegetable retailer this weekend – or instore at Romeo’s Foodland Rundle Mall on our launch day.

“Look for your local retailer displaying the Pick a Local Pick SA! Sign to know that you are providing support to South Australian growers, wholesalers and retailers.”

WHERE: Shop 9/141-159 Rundle Mall, Citi Centre Arcade