Cherry on top: sweet way to thank a hero

6th November 2020 | Eativity editors

For the first time in four decades, Sydney Markets has been forced to postpone its annual Cherry Auction. Ordinarily, a symbolic first box of cherries of the season is auctioned off at a special event each year, with the proceeds going to charity.

Traditionally signifying the beginning of the summer stone fruit season, the Sydney Markets Cherry Auction was first established in 1980 by Stan Hunt, a well-respected wholesaler trading at Sydney Markets. Since its inception 38 years ago, the Cherry Auction has raised more than a million dollars for a number of worthy Australian charities.

Last year, the first box of cherries went for $20,000.

This year, thanks to COVID-19, the auction will be replaced with something a little different, but equally heart-warming – Sydney Markets will be delivering 20 boxes of the season’s first cherries to deserving local heroes across the state of NSW.

Sydney Markets and the Cherry Auction Committee are calling on the community to nominate a local hero – deserving doctors and nurses, frontline workers, good Samaritans, nice neighbours, all-round good guys and gals – anyone who’s made a difference in 2020. The nominees will go into the running to win 1 of 20 boxes of the season’s finest cherries.

Who do you think deserves recognition for their efforts in 2020?

Sydney Markets CEO Brad Latham says he is looking forward to celebrating something “good” in what has been a very challenging year.

“For the first time in 40 years, we’ve had to cancel the most anticipated annual event in our market calendar,” he says. “COVID-19 continues to significantly impact so many people around the country, including many in our market community. Yet, among all the challenges, we know there are countless stories of courage, resilience, camaraderie and mateship.

“This year Sydney Markets is thrilled to recognise some of the most deserving members of the community with a token of our appreciation – a box of fresh, plump Australian cherries. And we look forward to celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Cherry Auction in 2021.”

Want to reward someone awesome? To nominate a hero, head to sydneymarkets.com.au, click on “Nominate a Hero of 2020” and explain in 250 words or less why you choose them.

Nominations will close at midnight tonight. The Cherry Auction Committee will select the winners and will announce the 20 heroes on the Sydney Markets website on November 12.