Sunshine Coast greengrocer receives national people’s choice award celebrating independent Australian fruit and vegetable shops
Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables has been named the best greengrocer in the country, taking out the ‘A better choice!’ ‘Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice’ award.
A fourth-generation family-run fruit and veg shop is located in Diddillibah on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and beat out 326 stores across Australia to take out the top spot.
‘A better choice!’ national program manager Nina Torkman said: “The award, which celebrates quality, freshness, variety, locally grown produce, customer service and expert advice at independent Australian fruit and veg shops, has been powered by incredible community support — with over 48,800 entries across our ten-week Shop and Win campaign, including 18,401 unique, qualified votes during the voting period.
“We are incredibly proud to celebrate Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables as the national ‘Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice’ winner, a true champion of local passion and produce,” Torkman added.
Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables owner and third-generation Erbacher family member, Tanya, and her husband Dave said they were “over the moon” when they found out they had won nationally. They believe that their traditional approach to customer service and their passion for providing locally grown, quality produce at affordable prices is what won over voters.
“Customer service is key for us. We are traditional and hands-on in our approach. Our staff are incredibly important to our business, and they are friendly and knowledgeable — they talk to customers and answer their questions, and a lot of them have their regulars that they see every week. This is something you don’t always see in businesses today,” said Tanya.
“I think what also stands out about the business is that we have been operating for 60 years now and are family owned and operated - there are second, third, and fourth generation family members working here now. We are so grateful to our staff and say thank you to our customers who are incredibly loyal to us.”
Dave said the business also grows and sells its own produce, which he said contributes to the store’s success.
“And we go down to the Brisbane Markets with our truck about three times a week. In the summer months and Christmas time, it can be four to five times a week.
“The way we ensure quality produce is really down to the relationship we have with our wholesalers at the Brisbane Markets - we have high expectations from them, and our customers have high expectations of us. The wholesalers are able to provide what we need to make this place work. We have the same relationship with our local farmers and suppliers as well. This is really important to having the best quality available,” said Dave.
Karen Tilke, business and service delivery manager at Brismark said: “With over 60 years of dedication to the fresh produce industry and their local community, both as growers and retailers, visiting the Brisbane Markets several times a week to ensure their customers have access to a large range of quality, fresh produce at low prices – they are truly deserving of this recognition.
“This award is a reflection of the deep connection Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables has with its community. It highlights the trust customers place in them – not just for top-quality produce, but for the genuine care and service they’ve consistently delivered over generations. It’s a celebration of the positive impact they have made through their commitment to freshness, affordability, and local relationships.”
Nina Torkman, national program manager of ‘a better choice!’ said: “Right now is the perfect time to explore what’s in season — from juicy citrus and crisp apples to leafy greens at their peak. Seasonal shopping means buying local, better taste, better nutrition, and better value. With ‘A better choice!’, we’re proud to champion the retailers who hand-select a large variety of quality, fresh produce daily from Australia’s central markets. They bring real passion to every aisle. It’s more than just groceries — it’s about making a better choice for your plate and your community.”
It was not just Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables recognised by the award, with the top three stores from five states named, as well at national top three.
Rounding out the top three behind Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables was Geelong Fresh Foods from Victoria and Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers Morphett Vale, South Australia.
The top state winners included Erbacher’s Fruit & Vegetables, Fresh Sensations Carindale and Fruity Life Nambour from Queensland. Geelong Fresh Foods, MnM Fruit and Eden Garden Fresh Market from Victoria. Adelaide Fresh Fruiterers Morphett Vale, Fruitabella Ingle Farm and Metropolitan Fresh Findon from South Australia.
From New South Wales Minchinbury Fruit Market, Grima Brothers and Fruit For All Berkeley Vale were celebrated. Growers Lane, Marmion St Fresh & Gourmet and The New Benara Fresh Food Market were Western Australia’s winners.
