The countdown is on — only six more sleeps until the man in the bright red suit will be here, so it is time for last-minute shopping and, most importantly, the food preparation (if you have not already started). Enjoy the flavours of this festive season with a large range of quality, fresh produce from Australian growers sourced through the Brisbane Markets, which can be found on the shelves of your local, independent A better choice! fruit and veg shop.
This week’s pick of the week is Passionfruit, a delicious and great choice for a pavlova topper! With Passionfruit supply coming from growing regions in Bundaberg and New South Wales, there is plenty to go around this Christmas. You might even want to try making these Passionfruit Lamingtons for something a bit different! When selecting your Passionfruit, be sure to look for a smooth fruit, with deep purple colouring, that is heavy for its size. Remember to store them in the refrigerator, as Passionfruit left at room temperature for too long can cause the fruit to dehydrate. Storing them in the fridge also means they will be nice and chilled when eating, especially if you like scoping out the pulp with a spoon.
Blueberries are also of superb value this week, coming from Coffs Harbour and Victoria. These little blue gems that burst with flavour are also a great addition to your pavlova – Passionfruit and Blueberries make a wonderful flavour combo! Even though Blueberries are small, they are packed with health benefits, including vitamins A and C, dietary fibre, calcium, and iron. Pick a punnet with plump berries with a deep blue colour.
Nothing says Christmas more than stone fruit. Nectarines, Peaches, Lychees, Cherries, and Mangoes are all here at the Brisbane Markets. There is a variety of fresh and quality stone fruit, just in time for festive celebrations. Gift a box of Cherries, Mangoes or Lychees this Christmas! Nectarines and Peaches are coming from growing regions in Victoria, with some supply of Cherries also from Victoria and New South Wales. While Queensland is supplying the Brisbane Markets with some lovely eating Lychees from Mareeba and Mangoes from Bowen. Grab some deliciously sweet and juicy stone fruit to celebrate Christmas!
A light and refreshing Lebanese Cucumber is a great vegetable choice to add to your shopping list this coming week. Lebanese Cucumbers are coming from Coffs Harbour and will make your salads spring with freshness.
Finally, Zucchini from the Lockyer Valley, North Queensland, Stanthorpe and Victoria are in abundance this week. For a healthy and yummy vegetable dish, try Zucchini topped with tasty cheese.
A heartfelt thank you to all who shop at their local, independent fruit and veg shop displaying the A better choice! logo. By shopping at your local, independent fruit and veg store, not only are you getting fresh, quality produce sourced through the Brisbane Markets, but you are also supporting a local business, local families, your community, and Australian growers. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a fruitful New Year!
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.
