Iconic Sunshine Coast retailer Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables has been named Australia’s best independent fruit and vegetable store for the second year in a row. The fourth-generation family business won the national A better choice! Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Award, with loyal customers helping to secure the win by praising Erbacher’s for their exceptional service and high-quality, fresh produce. Why not support your local independent retailer who, like Erbacher’s, source a large variety of quality, fresh fruit and vegetables from the Brisbane Markets, Queensland’s Heart of Fresh Produce.
This week’s pick of the week is Snow Peas from Bundaberg and Gatton. Known for their sweetness and crisp crunch, these tasty green vegetables are currently in great supply and the quality is excellent. When selecting snow peas, look for pods that are bright green, crisp, and flat with minimal to no bulging from the peas inside. The skin should be smooth and free of blemishes, yellow spots, or limpness. When storing, keep them sealed in an airtight plastic bag in the crisper; where they should last between three to five days.
A winter favourite is Celery from the Lockyer Valley and Gatton, which is currently offering consistent quality and supply. Celery is commonly used in soups, stews, salads and sauces, adding both flavour and texture.
Also coming into the Brisbane Markets from the Lockyer Valley and Gatton is Cauliflower. During winter, there is pretty much nothing you cannot do with a Cauliflower. It can be the start of the show or a great supporting act that adds nutrients and vitamins to any dish it is in. Why not try out these hot and spicy Cauliflower Wings? A crunchy, meat-free snack or dinner paired with hot chips.
With an abundant supply arriving from North Queensland and South Australia, Lemons bring a refreshing touch and bright flavour to drinks, marinades, sweet treats, and desserts. Lemons are a wonderful way to add a tangy twist to your baking to balance out the sweetness of regular dessert flavours. These Lemon Curd Scones or Lemon Yoghurt Cake will be a huge hit at any dinner party or even a high tea.
Juicy, sweet and with minimal seeds, Afourer Mandarins are one of the most popular varieties of mandarin available. With supply coming from North Queensland and Gayndah, Afourer Mandarins are easy to segment and easy to peel, making them perfect for school holiday snacks. Be sure to visit an A better choice! store this weekend to grab all your fresh produce needs. They are independently owned and operated by people who value their community by supplying a variety of fresh, quality fruit and vegetables grown on Australian farms that are sourced through the Brisbane Markets, Queensland’s Heart of Fresh Produce.
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.
