As we transition from autumn to winter, growing regions across Queensland continue to experience optimal conditions thanks to mild temperatures and quality rain. That translates into excellent harvests of quality, fresh and seasonal produce sourced through the Brisbane Markets and available from your local independent fruit and vegetable store that displays the A better choice! logo.
This week’s pick of the week is Papaya, from North Queensland. Be swept away to a tropical oasis and leave the cold winter behind with this sweet tropical delight. Right now, there is an abundant supply, and the quality is excellent. To select a sweet and juicy Papaya, look for skin that is turning yellow-orange, especially at the base, and give it a gentle press. It should yield slightly to pressure like a ripe Avocado. Store unripe Papaya at room temperature to ripen, then transfer it to the fridge once yellow. Whole ripe papayas last three to five days in the fridge, while cut fruit lasts for one to two days. For long-term storage, peel, cube, and freeze the fruit in airtight containers for up to six months.
Kiwifruit from Victoria is in great supply right now, with both the gold and green varieties available. The perfect choice for a healthy snack, Kiwifruit is packed full of vitamins and minerals, has little fat and sodium and is cholesterol free. Level up your Mexican night with these Chicken, Cheese, and Kiwifruit Quesadillas for a different spin on a classic dish.
If you have not tried a Custard Apple before, then now is the time to take the plunge. Fruit from North Queensland is currently in great supply and is terrific value this week for those looking for something a little different. Custard Apples are a tropical super-fruit, prized for their creamy, custard-like texture and sweet, tropical flavour resembling a blend of banana, strawberry, and pineapple.
North Queensland and Bowen are providing the Brisbane Markets with plenty of Eggplants right now. A healthy choice for those busy weeknight dinners, Eggplants are more versatile than you may think! You can fry them, slice and coat them in breadcrumbs, mash them into a dip, sauté them, add them to a curry, or even roast them — whichever way, they are delicious. Try these Stuffed Eggplant Fritters for a hearty weekend snack.
Is there anything better than Corn on the cob with melted butter? If that sounds good to you, then rejoice, as Sweet Corn from the Lockyer Valley, Bundaberg and North Queensland is in great supply this week. Ideal for chilly winter nights, Sweet Corn is great in soups, chowders, fritters, bakes, and casseroles. So be on the lookout for these and many more quality, fresh and seasonal produce items at your local independent A better choice! store. All A better choice! stores in Queensland source their fruit and vegetables 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.
