St Patrick’s Day is approaching, and this week is an ideal opportunity to enjoy a selection of fresh green fruit and vegetables. Visit your local, independent fruit and vegetable store displaying the A better choice! logo, where you will find an abundance of delicious, green produce sourced through Queensland’s heart of fresh produce, the Brisbane Markets.
This week’s pick of the week is Brussels Sprouts, sourced from Stanthorpe, South Australia, and Victoria. Supply is excellent right now and the quality is outstanding. Brussels Sprouts are rich in antioxidants, packed with fibre and vitamin C, and are known to assist with blood‑sugar regulation, reduce inflammation, and support natural detoxification. Look for plump, bright-green heads (the smaller, the sweeter) with tightly packed leaves for the best quality. Bright and green, they are full of goodness and add a festive touch to your plate. For a caramelised flavour, try this Chargrilled Brussels Sprouts Salad, or highlight their nutty flavour with this Brussels Sprouts in Pecan Sauce side dish (a little hint: add crispy bacon to enhance the flavour).
If you are looking to incorporate Asian greens into your meals, Choy Sum is an excellent choice this week. This leafy green vegetable has a mildly sweet taste and is commonly used in stir‑fries, soups or simply steamed. Victorian‑grown Choy Sum is of excellent quality this week, and to choose the best bunch, look for smooth green leaves and white to light‑green stalks.
Broccoli, from South East Queensland, Stanthorpe, Victoria and Tasmania, is also of excellent quality. Tasty and nutrient‑dense, it remains a staple on many dinner plates. For households with selective eaters, these crispy Cheese Balls are an ideal way to introduce vegetables.
Continuing the green theme for St Patrick’s Day, Custard Apples are in full supply from the Atherton Tablelands, Sunshine Coast, Central Queensland and New South Wales. Look for pale green, knobbly skin to select the best Custard Apple. Minor blemishes are normal due to the fruit’s delicate skin. Like an Avocado, the ripeness can be checked with a gentle squeeze. If firm, place the fruit in a bowl or next to a Banana to hasten ripening, then once ripe, refrigerate for best results.
The Atherton Tablelands is also supplying Brisbane Markets with sweet and juicy Pomelos. High in vitamin C, antioxidants, potassium, and dietary fibre, Pomelos not only offer a refreshing flavour but also provide several health benefits, including immune support, digestive health, and blood‑pressure regulation. Add a few to your basket for a nutritious boost.
For a large range of fresh, seasonal, quality produce, visit your local, independent fruit and vegetable store displaying the A better choice! logo. By doing so, you are supporting local businesses and Australian growers supplying produce through Queensland’s heart of fresh produce, the Brisbane Markets.
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 45 wholesalers who receive fresh produce from over 7,000 growers and trade five days a week to more than 800 registered buyers.
About Brisbane Markets Limited
Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) is the owner of the Brisbane Markets site and is responsible for its ongoing management and development.
BML provides infrastructure and services to facilitate the marketing of fresh food, flowers and other ancillary products for fruit, vegetable and flower wholesalers, retailers, provedores, secondary wholesalers, food processors, transporters, exporters, industry organisations and market support businesses.
More information can be found on our website: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.
About A better choice!
The A better choice! retailers are hardworking local family business owners, who are passionate about fruit and vegetables, they are our experts in their field and provide excellent customer service… with a smile.
Here’s the thing: no one can match A better choice! fruit and vegetable retailers for FRESH! Every morning, they hand pick a diverse selection of high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables from the Brisbane Markets, sourced from thousands of Australian farms.
Make your first choice A better choice! with local retailers throughout Southeast Queensland including Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tweed Heads. Please click on the link to find your local fruit retailer www.abetterchoice.com.au/store-locator/ . By shopping at your local fruit and veg shop, you are making A better choice!
About Brismark
Brismark is a member organisation which represents and serves the needs of the wholesaling sector of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry – in particular, the primary wholesalers that operate out of the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea. Brismark provides industry representation, and a range of financial and business services to support the wholesaling sector of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry and their associated businesses and actively contributes to strengthen the Central Market system. Brismark also oversees the A better choice! retailer program in Queensland.
