The little fruit shop giving the supermarket giants a run for their money

While Australia’s supermarket giants continue to dominate grocery shopping, one family-owned fruit and vegetable store has again been voted the nation’s favourite. Its success offers a timely reminder that freshness, service and community still means something to Australian shoppers.

For more than 65 years, Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables has quietly built a loyal following in Queensland and that loyalty has now earned the family business a remarkable honour in being voted Australia’s favourite fruit and vegetable retailer for the second consecutive year.

The family-run store claimed the national title in the A better choice! 2026 Retailer of the Year People’s Choice Awards after attracting enough votes to edge out independent competitors from New South Wales. More than 63,000 Australians cast a vote this year, almost three times as many as in 2025.

While the award itself is significant, perhaps the bigger story is what it says about changing shopping habits. At a time when cost-of-living pressures continue to bite and the supermarket duopoly dominates the grocery landscape, many of us are still choosing to support independent greengrocers.

For Erbacher’s third-generation owner Tanya Husband, the reason is surprisingly simple.

“My grandfather started this business more than 65 years ago, and we still believe in the same old-fashioned customer service that he built it on,” Husband said.

“We know many of our customers by name, we love helping them choose the best fruit and veg, and we’re always happy to carry groceries to the car for anyone who needs a little extra help. It’s those personal connections and genuine care that we believe set us apart from the major supermarkets.”

Fresh food still important

Despite ongoing pressure on household budgets, Husband says customers aren’t abandoning fresh food. Instead, they’re becoming more thoughtful about how they shop.

“Cost of living is definitely on people’s minds, and our customers are always looking for good value,” she said.

“But what we’ve found is that families still see fresh fruit and vegetables as an essential part of feeding their household. They’re looking for quality, freshness and produce that lasts, rather than simply choosing the cheapest option.”

She’s also noticed something different in our shopping habits.

“We’ve seen more customers trying new ingredients and cooking more at home, often inspired by cooking shows like MasterChef,” she said. “People are becoming more adventurous in the kitchen, and it’s great to help them discover different fruits and vegetables and learn how to use them.”

Simple ways to stretch the grocery budget

For older Australians wanting to eat well without overspending, Husband says the best advice is refreshingly straightforward: buy what’s in season, plan meals before shopping and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.

“Shopping seasonally is one of the easiest ways to eat well while keeping costs down,” she said. “Seasonal produce is at its peak, so it offers great flavour, freshness and often better value.”

She also encourages shoppers to make the most of the experience by speaking with staff who know their produce inside out.

“We have team members who have worked with us for more than 20 years, and they have an incredible amount of knowledge to share. They can recommend what’s in season, what’s great value that week and how to get the most from your fruit and vegetables.”

Another common mistake, she says, is shopping without a plan.

“When you know what meals you’re making for the week, it’s much easier to buy only what you need and avoid food going to waste.”

This winter, Husband recommends looking for seasonal favourites including avocados, strawberries, mandarins, cauliflower and broccoli, which are currently offering good value and excellent flavour.

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Supporting Australian growers

Behind every basket of produce, she says, are Australian growers working hard to deliver quality food despite the challenges farming can bring.

“Supporting Australian-grown produce has always been important to us, and it’s especially important right now,” Husband said.

“The relationships we have with our local growers are at the heart of everything we do. We visit the Brisbane Markets at least three times a week, which means we can get fresh produce onto our shelves quickly for our customers to enjoy at its very best.”

While many growers in south-east Queensland are enjoying favourable conditions, she acknowledges farmers elsewhere continue to battle unpredictable weather and other challenges.

“If I could change one thing, it would be to encourage more Australians to shop locally for their fruit and vegetables,” Husband said.

“When you support your local fruit and veg store, you’re not only getting fresh, quality produce and personal service, you’re also supporting local growers, local mums and dads and the wider community. It’s a better choice that benefits everyone.”