We are only a couple of weeks into 2026, and congratulations are in order to all those who are still on track with their New Year’s resolutions. If choosing to shop at your local, independent fruit and veg shop is one of them, then you are off to a fantastic start! Research suggests that it takes around 66 days to form a new habit, which means that by the end of March, visiting your local, independent store displaying the A better choice! logo to purchase your fresh produce needs could feel like second nature. Keep reading to see what is in season and deserves a spot on your shopping list this week.
Pick of the week is Topless Pineapples. They are in abundance this week, coming in from Yeppoon, the Sunshine Coast, Harvey Bay, and Caboolture. It is time to slice, dice, and juice these delicious tropical delights. Beat the summer heat with a homemade Pineapple juice, or freshen up a hearty dinner with a Pineapple salsa – if that sounds like something you would enjoy, try this Roast Pork with Pineapple Chili Salsa. When selecting your Pineapples this week, smell the bottom of the Pineapple and if it has a sweet smell, it is ripe and ready to eat!
Red Dragon Fruit from Caboolture, Bundaberg, and Byron Bay is also plentiful at the Brisbane Markets this week. Just like a Kiwifruit, one of the most common ways to eat Dragon Fruit is by slicing it in half and scooping the pulp from the inside. To select the perfect Dragon Fruit, look for fruit with bright pink skin that is evenly coloured and feels slightly firm, just like an Avocado. Why not combine Pineapples and some Dragon Fruit to make a delicious, refreshing, and healthy smoothie?
Growing regions in Victoria and New South Wales are providing the Brisbane Markets with some sweet and crisp Menindee Grapes. These delightful Grapes need no further explaining. They are the perfect on-the-go snack, poolside treat, and fruit salad filler. Grab a bunch this week!
The perfect produce item to get you through this summer heat at dinner time is Iceberg Lettuce. Light, refreshing, crunchy, and of course a healthy choice, Iceberg Lettuce is currently coming from Stanthorpe and Victoria. If you are wanting to enjoy all the flavours of summer, you can never go wrong with a salad. Try this Watermelon and Feta Salad; your taste buds will thank you.
Green Zucchini, also from Stanthorpe and Victoria are a great buy and healthy choice. For all those still sticking to their healthy ‘new year, new me’ resolutions, Zucchini is definitely one to add to the shopping list. They are packed with potassium and vitamins A and C, contain no cholesterol or unhealthy fats, and have a low-calorie count. Zucchinis are very versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways, including steamed, fried, roasted, or even in fritters. Look no further than your local, independent fruit and vegetable store displaying the A better choice! logo for a variety of fresh, seasonal, and quality 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
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.
