Well, its official, school’s out for 2024 in Queensland, and with the kids home for the next six to eight weeks, having enough health food around for them to snack on will be a priority for parents across the state. But do not fear, your local independent A better choice! fruit and veg shop is here to provide you with an abundance of fresh, healthy produce sourced from thousands of farms across the country through the Brisbane Markets. So here are a couple of items you can use with the kids this week whilst they are home from school.
Our pick of the week this week are Limes, from North Queensland. Growers up north are providing us with an abundance of Limes, brightening up the Brisbane Markets with a Christmas green. Weather using them in a drink, dressing or dessert Limes give your taste buds a perfect zap of zest.
Pair Strawberries and Limes together to give a sweet and zesty twist to fruit salads and those refreshing summer drinks. Strawberries are great value this week coming from Victoria and New South Wales. They are “berry” good for your immune system and full off vitamins A, C and K.
Banana lovers are in luck this week with both Lady Finger and Cavendish Bananas from North Queensland in plentiful supply. You won’t be able to pass the Bananas and say ‘na’ this week. A staple fruit, packed with high potassium providing you with all the energy you need for summer activities! Wanna try something a little different give these Banana, Bacon and Cheese Pinwheels a go, it’s a great way to sweeten up a savoury snack.
Don’t walk, run to your local fruit and veg shop to pick up some Mangoes, coming from North Queensland. There is plenty around and the quality are amazing. If you are a Mango lover, there’s no better way than to enjoy them by the tray. The sweetness of a Mango makes it a perfect dessert – off the skin or even on a pavlova. The taste of the fluffy meringue with the sweet-tart tropical flavour or Mangoes. Delicious!
It goes without saying, but why not add some Australian Cherries to your pavlova too! The pick of the week last week, Cherries, from New South Wales and Victoria are eating better each week, perfectly plump and full of sweetness. You can’t go wrong with a Cherry gift box for friends, family or colleagues. Cherries can bring a thoughtful touch of sweetness to your Christmas gift giving.
A staple in most kitchens, Kent Pumpkins, from the Lockyer Valley are in abundance this week and reasonably priced for those on a budget. The quality of Pumpkins is excellent, and the creamy, nutty flavour and bright orange colour will make any dish stand out amongst the crowd on any Christmas buffet! Make sure you pick a Pumpkin this week.
If you are carb-conscious and on a Christmas budget, Celery from the Lockyer Valleywill do the trick. Perfect for those looking for a refreshing and healthy side for dinner, try this Thai Celery Salad, it only takes 10 minutes to prepare and is scumptous!
Eggplants are also in great supply this week at the Brisbane Markets. Hailing from South Australia, Eggplants promote better bone health, lower blood pressure and are filled with antioxidants that are known to improve memory. Charcuterie boards are the craze at the moment, so why not try these dips to change up your charcuterie: Roasted Eggplant, Pomegranate and Pecan Dip or a Roasted Eggplant, Lemon and Garlic Dip. Or you can go old school and stuff, coat in breadcrumbs, or top with parmesan, and enjoy some classic Eggplant dishes.
Red and Green Capsicums from South Australia are joining in on the colourful Christmas spirit and will brighten up a festive salad this season. Did you know Capsicums have double the amount of vitamin C of oranges? Surely that information alone is enough to add one to your basket this week. They are in great supply and reasonably priced. Try this recipe and make meal prepping easy this week with this Creamy Capsicum Pasta. Your local, independent A better choice! fruit and veg shop hand pick their produce from the Brisbane Markets which gives retailers as well as restaurants, cafes and independent supermarkets access to produce from thousands of local farms from across Queensland and Australia. This means your local fruit and veg shop is stocked with quality and fresh produce. Make sure you shop where you see the A better choice! logo.
About Brisbane Markets
As Queensland’s only central fruit and vegetable market, the Brisbane Markets is the state’s most important centre for the marketing and distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables. It records an annual trade of over 700 million kilograms of produce valued at more than $2 billion.
An important economic and employment hub, more than 4,500 people work or do business at the markets each day through over 170 businesses. This includes over 50 wholesalers who receive fresh produce from over 7,000 growers and trade five days a week to more than 800 registered buyers.
