Celebrations are in full swing this week as a beloved local gem, Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables on the Sunshine Coast, has been crowned Australia’s best independent fruit and veg shop. The fourth-generation, family-run store has proudly taken home the prestigious national A better choice! Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Award, beating more than 320 retailers nationwide.
Erbachers earned its top spot thanks to overwhelming support from loyal customers, who nominated the store for its exceptional service and high-quality, fresh produce — much of which is sourced through the Brisbane Markets.
This week’s pick of the week is Red Capsicums from Bowen and Bundaberg. Known for their mild, sweet flavour, Capsicums are a popular ingredient in many cuisines worldwide and are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, and E, folate, and fibre. If you are looking for a true crowd-pleaser at a winter party, try this Capsicum Pesto which is moreish and sweet, perfect for charcuterie platters and picnic spreads! Right now, supply is excellent and the quality of the produce is fantastic.
Broccoli from the Lockyer Valley should also be on your shopping list this week, as the quality of these little green trees is magnificent, and with supply strong supply, it makes for a really good value choice this week.
If you want to spice up your week, look no further than some delicious Jalapeno Chilli’s from Bowen. Known for their medium heat level and versatility, Jalapenos can be eaten raw, cooked, or pickled and are a key ingredient in many popular recipes like salsas, nachos, hot sauces and even Jalapeno Poppers. The supply of these fiery little numbers is great this week, and the quality is outstanding, so look to add some to your trolley.
After a period of higher prices due to weather conditions across growing regions, Tomatoes offer great value this week, with prices coming down and supply excellent. Varieties such as Roma, Gourmet, Cherry and Truss Tomatoes are all in abundance this week, and the quality is exceptional. With most Tomatoes coming from North Queensland, Bowen and Bundaberg, you will be hard-pressed not to find quality Queensland-grown Tomatoes this week.
If you have a taste for tropical fruit during the winter months, then look no further than Papaya. A succulent tropical fruit with soft, orange or red flesh, Papaya is known for its sweet, subtly musky flavour and can be enjoyed fresh, in smoothies, desserts, or savory dishes. A spectacular way to start the weekend is with Crepes with a Papaya and Passionfruit Glaze, cream fraiche flavoured with vanilla, and crunchy hazelnuts.
Finally, Caboolture and Sunshine Coast-grown Strawberries are also a great trolley filler this week. Supply is fantastic, and the quality is superb. Strawberries are also good value right now, so why not grab a punnet from your local independent A better choice! store where you will also find a large variety of fresh, quality seasonal produce sourced from 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 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.
