Fresh from the earth to you
The Apple Tree was born out a of a passion for the earth and it shows in the quality of its produce.
ALBERTON- Apple Tree Fresh Food Market was born out of a love and passion for the earth and the quality of its produce reflects this commitment.
The manager, Madalena Canha, studied farming for 10 years in Madeira and moved to South Africa in 2009 to run the Apple Tree. “This is a passion, a way of life and I love it. I love the earth and the fresh produce. Only some people can read a potato and as a farmer you know if it should be baked, mashed or boiled, you know the colour, the textures and that adds value to your customer service. The customers are free to ask me anything about the produce when they visit our shop,” explains Madalena.
The store opened in 2010 and in five years has become part of the very fabric of Alberton. “We try to support local and new farmers as far as possible and we have a good rapport with them. You will also find our buyers every day searching for fresh new produce early in the morning at the Johannesburg Market. Our buyers are well trained and they know what they are looking for.”
Madalena, a mother of four, says that a new Apple Tree is opening in Edenvale soon and that she is involved with the opening and layout of the store. Her children are between the ages of four and 17 and her favourite day is Sunday when she can practice her culinary skills in her own kitchen. “I love baking and making delicious Portuguese food. I really like Adega’s but cooking in my own kitchen is the best.”
The bakery on the premises also makes a big difference to the quality of the delicacies. The pasties de nata and the forturas are two mouthwatering Portuguese specialities that are freshly baked on a daily basis. The lovely treats are sold in the modern upmarket café, another of Madalena’s ideas. “We love to bring good quality produce to people at the most reasonable prices possible.”
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