With the Ekka in full swing, it is a great opportunity for people from the city to learn about farming, appreciate local rural communities, and find out how they can support agriculture and horticulture industries in their own everyday lives. One quick and easy way to do the latter is to shop at your local independent A better choice! fruit and vegetable store that offers in-season, hand selected produce sourced through the Brisbane Markets and grown on Australian farms.
This week, our pick of the week is Strawberries grown in Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast. Nothing says Ekka more than an iconic Strawberry sundae! So, if you are not going to the Ekka, then do not worry, as you will be able to make your own Strawberry sundaes at home with the supply of Strawberries excellent and the quality superb. The possibilities are limitless with Strawberries – they are the perfect topper for breakfasts like this Superfood Breakfast Bowl or even desserts like chocolate cake and ice cream. They are the perfect guilt-free sweetener.
Also in abundance and great eating quality are Rockmelons from Bowen and the Northern Territory. Great supply, great price, and even better taste! Did you know Rockmelons contribute to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels? Rockmelons are also a great fruit choice for those counting calories – they have a high-water content meaning calories are low. Not to mention they are packed with vitamins A and potassium. Rockmelon is a healthy choice, especially to balance out the dagwood dogs and fairy floss.
One of the traditional Apple varieties, Pink Lady Apples, from Victoria are in great supply, super juicy, and very crunchy. Not only that, but Pink Lady Apples are packed with a special fibre called pectin. This fibre is known for improving intestinal comfort and reducing cholesterol levels. They are also full of antioxidants which aid your risk of cardiovascular diseases. If you are looking for a way to incorporate fresh fruits into your cooking, try this Apple, Peak and Rhubarb Crumble.
Celery from Gatton is also excellent value this week, with the supply good and the quality great. Celery can be enjoyed raw as a crunchy snack filled with peanut butter, chopped into salads to give a fresh and crunchy texture, or cooked into soups, giving a sweet and earthy flavour.
Finally, it is time to add a floret (or two) of Cauliflower to your shopping basket because the supply this week from the Lockyer Valley is fantastic. Everyone is encouraged to have a colourful range of vegetables on their dinner plate, but remember that Cauliflower is just as healthy as Broccoli, as they are packed with essential vitamins and minerals.
So, create your own Ekka showbag this week and head to your local, independent fruit and vegetable shop displaying the A better choice! logo and fill your shopping bags with fresh, quality, seasonal produce sourced through 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.
