A much-loved brand, known for championing local products and businesses, is celebrating a three-decade milestone – and there’s a good chance residents have visited one if its stores over the years.
Coming from humble beginnings, the White’s IGA story began 30 years ago when Roz and Michael White took their first steps into the world of groceries and retail.
With a team of just three employees, the pair ran the seven-days-a-week NightOwl, located in the heart of Maroochydore.
It’s in this small but bustling little store that the first sparks of the White’s IGA Group were ignited.
Fast forward to 2023 and White’s IGA Group now operates six successful stores with a growing team of highly skilled and passionate grocers.
Every store showcases the Locavore program – a movement that supports producers, suppliers and community throughout the Sunshine Coast and beyond.
“Our Locavore program is something that is totally distinctive to our six supermarkets,” Ms White said.
“It helps customers to easily identify the abundant range of locally sourced, grown and produced grocery goodies.
“When food is sourced locally, it travels less distance and stays almost as fresh and nutritious as the day it was plucked from the soil, trees or plants.
“It also puts dollars back into our community and supports Sunshine Coast families.
“Our Locavore philosophy fits with the White’s culture of creating sustainable communities with purpose.
“Our stores source and stock 35 per cent of store purchases from local growers, producers and independent suppliers.
“A store such as IGA can’t survive without the support of the local community and we’re proud to support those who support us.”
Community Chest tickets are located on the shelves to identify which products help put something back into the local community.
Another core part of the White’s IGA value system is the focus on improving sustainability.
This applies to the machinery and technology the Whites use, the suppliers they partner with and how they support sustainable lifestyles for their team.
Environmentally friendly and energy efficient refrigeration, LED lighting and recycled water heating are all part of the White’s IGA eco-friendly approach.
A bespoke White’s IGA leadership conference paved the way for a new, innovative, more balanced approach to the careers, personal development and health of all employees.
For Ms White, caring for people and the planet is at the heart of every move the business makes.
“The choices we make as a business have the power to nourish, support and contribute to our community of workers, local families, businesses and producers, as well as the future environment for our children and grandchildren,” she said.
“At White’s IGA, it’s imperative we give back as much if not more than we take.”
The winner of the 2023 White’s IGA recent $30,000 giveaway has also been revealed, with a Baringa local taking the prize from more than 65,000 eligible entries.
Tina Ledger was announced as the winner of the grand prize at the White’s IGA birthday celebrations held at White’s IGA Forest Glen last Saturday.
Ms Ledger was one of 12 finalists picked from the thousands of eligible entries received across the six White’s IGA stores over the competition period.
The prize includes $20,000 in groceries and a $10,000 monetary donation that will go to Ms Ledger’s chosen community club, Caloundra Little Athletics.
“My husband and I have always been in Little Athletics with our family growing up,” she said.
“Our kids have grown up now but it brought so much joy to us when our girls were involved in Little Athletics.
“We know how much work the people and community put in at these clubs, so we are just so happy to be able to give back.”
For Ms Ledger and her family, the $20,000 in groceries couldn’t have come at a better time.
“When I was named as a finalist it was so exciting but I was so surprised to win,” she said.
“It will be amazing to relieve financial costs, especially coming up to Christmas, and will also allow me to help my daughters as they’re also feeling the impacts of cost.
“I’ve been shopping at White’s IGA Baringa since it opened. The team at Baringa IGA are wonderful and it’s amazing what Roz and Michael have done to give back to the community. We thank them all very much.”
Caloundra Little Athletics president David Rankine said the $10,000 cash prize would help fund new equipment for the club.
“This money will help us purchase some much needed high jump mats,” he said.
The giveaway was as part of White’s IGA’s 30-year birthday celebrations. Ms White said it was important to recognise and include customers and community in the milestone celebrations.
“This giveaway was designed to support and celebrate our community and honour the incredible work of local non-profit charities, schools, and community/sporting groups in our region,” she said.
“The last 30 years of White’s IGA have only been possible thanks to our customers and community, so it was incredibly important for us that we give back to them as we celebrated this milestone.”
White’s IGA stores are located at Bli Bli, Mount Coolum, Mooloolah Valley, Peregian Beach, Baringa and Forest Glen. Visit whitesgrocers.com.au.
Thrity years in the blink of an eye
1993: Roz and Michael White buy the Maroochydore NightOwl store.
1997: A second NightOwl is bought in Mooloolaba.
2002: The Whites take over a modest corner shop at Mount Coolum.
2004: Bli Bli IGA becomes White’s IGA
2005: IGA Tin Can Bay was purchased.
2006: IGA Rothwell was the first new store built.
2007: White’s Grocers acquire the Mooloolah Valley store.
2013: After a renovation and rebuild, IGA Bli Bli reopens its doors as White’s Supa IGA Bli Bli.
2016: The purpose-built White’s IGA Peregian Beach opens for business.
2019: The new White’s Supa IGA Baringa begins trading in Aura.
2022: White’s IGA Forest Glen opens its doors.
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