Nothing captures the spirit of spring quite like the buzz of the Melbourne Cup Carnival! As we gear up for a week of thrilling races featuring some of the finest thoroughbreds, it’s also the perfect time to celebrate the vibrant produce making its way through the Brisbane Markets. While you’re on the lookout for that standout fascinator, here’s a tip that’s sure to pay off this Cup week: visit your local independent fruit and veg shop to get the freshest, quality produce straight from the Brisbane Markets!
Let’s dive into this week’s top pick, the ultimate summer snack: Watermelon. Sourced from Bundaberg and North Queensland, these juicy beauties are plentiful right now, and the quality is excellent. Perfect for kids’ morning tea, smoothies, light desserts, or beach outings, Watermelon keeps you hydrated on those warm days. Plus, with their low-calorie count, they’re a guilt-free treat!
Queensland grown Mangoes are filling up the Brisbane Markets with supply coming in from Mareeba, Bowen and Bundaberg as well as the Northern Territory. The quality of these sweet, juicy fruits is outstanding, making it the perfect time to indulge in these tropical delights. The rich flavour of Mango can elevate any dish—from salads to desserts and even curries. Why not try this Mango Chicken Curry? It’s perfect for the whole family!
And who doesn’t love cherries? Plump and juicy, Cherry season is just around the corner, with these summer favourites soon to be available. The Cherry season runs late spring to early summer, offering the perfect opportunity to enjoy their sweet goodness.
There is excellent supply of Capsicum from the Darling Downs. These vibrant kitchen must haves add flavour to your stir fry, crunch to your summer platters or even sweetness to your favourite BBQ skewer. For something different, try this Capsicum Pesto Dip, perfect to impress friends for those charcuterie platters.
Bite-sized Cherry Tomatoes are another must-add to your shopping basket this week. They will make a great addition to any shopping basket this week, with excellent supply and low prices as we transition from Northern Queensland to the cooler growing regions of Victoria and New South Wales. This bite-sized snack is again another juicy fruit that adds a burst of freshness to salads and pasta dishes.
We’re also seeing an abundance of Zucchini from Kingaroy and Gatton. With its mild flavour, it is perfect to easily absorb spices and seasonings, making it a great addition to many dishes. Zucchini is great for a balanced diet and a versatile addition to many meals. A healthy dinner option to consider this week is provided by our A better choice! ambassador, so why not try Julie Goodwin’s Eggplant, Zucchini and Chickpea Curry. Its tasty and affordable.
Green veggies always make a great side dish for any occasion, especially Asparagus. Pair it with your choice of protein, whether it be Asparagus and Chicken Salad, Asparagus with Grilled Salmon or even Pepper Crusted Beef with Roast Asparagus Spears. That’s three nights of dinners for the week sorted. When picking your Asparagus, look for the bright green stems with buds that have a tinge of violet.
Make sure you’ve got some peanut butter in the pantry this week, because we have the Celery. Quality and quantity are excellent so, the classic snack all mums love, combining the crisp crunch of Celery with the rich flavour and texture of peanut butter, should be in a few lunch boxes this week.
Green Beans are also in full supply this week. Why not try this Green Bean, Feta and Walnut Salad. The best thing about beans is they retain their crunch when lightly steamed!
So, if you are looking for a certified winner this week, you can’t go past your local independent fruit and veg shop! Spend some time in the winner’s circle with the freshest and the best produce sourced through 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 50 wholesalers who receive fresh produce from over 7,000 growers and trade five days a week to more than 800 registered buyers.
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 community experts in their field and provide excellent customer service… with a smile.
Here’s the thing: no one can match A better choice! fruit shops for FRESH! Every morning, your local fruit shop retailer hand picks a diverse selection of high-quality fresh fruit and vegetables from the Brisbane Markets.
Make your first choice A better choice! with local retailers throughout South East Queensland including Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and Tweed Heads. Please click on the link to find your local fruit shop https://www.abetterchoice.com.au/. By shopping at your local fruit and veg shop, you are making A better choice!
