As the new school year kicks off and routines start to settle in, it’s the perfect time to focus on fuelling our kids with the best nutrition for a successful year ahead. Fresh fruits and vegetables play a vital role in keeping young minds and bodies energised, stay focused and healthy through busy school days. With lunchboxes to pack and meals to prepare, making sure your family has access to a variety of vibrant, nutrient-rich produce from your local independent A Better Choice! fruit and veg shop, sourced from the thousands of Aussie farms through Brisbane Markets at Rocklea.
Our pick of the week is Kent Pumpkins from Gatton. These versatile veggies are a game changer for weeknight dinners. When the school night dinners are needed, keep this Baked Chicken with Pumpkin and Chorizo recipe on hand – it’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love! Or try a Pumpkin Frittata for a warm, comforting meal that combines creamy Pumpkin and feta with a crispy pastry crunch. Delicious!
If you’re sticking to your New Year’s diet resolutions, grab some Zucchinis from Locker Valley and Victoria. These little powerhouses are nutrient-packed, low in calories, and loaded with more potassium than a banana! Sneak them into spaghetti bolognese or fritters for picky eaters or try Parmesan Thyme Air Fryer Zucchini Fries for a fun, crispy side dish!
Broccoli from Victoria is in full supply this week, offering bushy, vibrant heads of one of the healthiest veggies around. Full of flavor and nutrients, the quality of Broccoli at the Brisbane Markets is excellent at the moment, so why not try a refreshing Broccoli Slaw for a light, crunchy side that pairs perfectly with just about anything!
Fresh Snow Peas from Victoria are also in great supply and quality this week. Crisp, packed with fibre, protein, and vitamins A and C, they are perfect for adding to stir-fries or as a crunchy snack in a lunchbox. With quality like this, you will find it hard to go past them without grabbing them for yourself!
If you love a citrusy kick, try some fresh Lemons from North Queensland. These juicy, tangy gems are perfect for Lemon Bars that will refresh your taste buds and offer a nice recess snack for any lunch box.
Don’t miss out on Limes from Mareeba and Victoria – they are bursting with sweet-tangy goodness. This Grilled Lime Chicken with Sweet Potato Salad takes just 15 minutes, making it a fast, flavourful dinner option, perfect for a family getting back into the routine of the school timetable!
Victorian Plums are in prime season, offering juicy, sweet bites perfect for snacking or adding a fruity twist to your desserts. Try a Plum and White Chocolate Dessert Cake for a treat everyone will enjoy. When picking your Plums this week, look for plump balls with a flavoursome aroma and try to avoid any with wrinkled spots.
And let’s not forget about Watermelon from New South Wales – this summer staple continues to offer great value and will keep your family smiling all season long. It’s a great option to keep the little, and big, athletes hydrated as they get back into the summertime sports following the holiday break.
Finally, it would not be back-to-school time without some Banana’s. As always, Queensland Bananas are a staple for school lunches. As the old saying goes, “QQQQ Queensland BBB Banana’s, they’re the best Bananas in the world” so make sure you get some to add to those lunch boxes this week.
Get your school year off to a fresh, healthy start with the best produce around, handpicked from the Brisbane Markets, at your local, independent A Better Choice! fruit and veg shop this weekend. With fresh produce from local farms sourced through the Brisbane Markets, you can trust that you’re getting the highest quality fruits and vegetables to fill your fridge and lunchboxes.
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.
