Seasonal Produce and Fresh Food Markets
Quick Tips
Buying seasonal produce
Buying fruit and vegetables that are in season usually means your produce tastes better and it can also reduce the cost. Some fruit and vegetables are available all year round, like apples and potatoes. Availability of some fruits can vary depending on the time of year, like strawberries and mangoes.
- The Fresh Food Kids Now in Season page has a section that highlights a fruit or vegetable that is currently in season.
- Likewise the Market Fresh website Seasonal Availability contains a search engine to find what’s in season and when.
Marketfresh has produced a helpful flyer to find out the seasonal availability of fruit and vegetables in Australia. The guide has an image of each produce, when it is available, and its health benefit. You might also even discover a new food for dinner!
The Better Health Channel website has a recipe finder that helps you cook based on what’s in season.
Markets in Melbourne
Melbourne has plenty of markets that offer fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish and more. It’s great to bring the kids to market so they can learn about different fruits and vegetables and be involved in the process of selecting it. We have compiled a short list of markets. For a full list of Markets in Melbourne visit Only Melbourne - Market Listing.
Prahran Market
Prahran Market is Melbourne's oldest produce market and is open Tuesday & Saturday from dawn - 5pm, Thursday & Friday from dawn - 6pm and Sunday from 10am-3pm. The Prahran Market website lists what’s in season as well as weekly bargains!
163 Commercial Road, South Yarra 3141. Melways Reference Map 2L, H9
The Oakleigh Market
12 - 18 Chester Street
Oakleigh 3166
Ph: 9563 4995
Trading Hours
WED 7am to 4pm
THU 7am to 6pm
FRI 7am to 7pm
SAT 7am to 1.30pm
Caulfield Farmers Market
Caulfield Farmers Market is an exciting new farmers’ market with a wide variety of stallholders. This is a bustling city farmers market with an emphasis on quality produce. A free petting zoo is on offer for the kids plus live music is played throughout the day. Situated close to the Caulfield Racecourse it is within walking distance to the Glenhuntly Train Station and parking is free. This market is plastic bag free so don’t forget to bring your own bags.
When: Second Saturday of every month.
Time: 8 am - 1 pm
Where: Corner of Neerim and Booran Roads, Caulfield. (Entrance on Booran Road)
Boroondara Farmers Market
The market was started as an initiative of the City of Boroondara and is held on the third Saturday of the month from 8am to 1pm. Where: Patterson Reserve. Auburn Road, Hawthorn East (Melways 59 E4).
Mulgrave Farmers Market
At the Mulgrave Farmers Market you’ll pay less because you buy direct from the producers. Plus, you‘ll enjoy the added satisfaction of meeting the people who grow your food, as well as shopping in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. The market will also be a fun and vibrant community hub with a kiddie’s area, music, community events and bagfuls of bonhomie. Speaking of which, please bring your own bags because none will be supplied. Sundays 8am-1pm in the grounds of The Body Shop’s HQ, Mulgrave.
Queen Victoria Market
Spread over 7 hectares, it is the largest open air Market in the southern hemisphere. Almost one thousand traders sell everything from exotic Australian fruit and vegetables and local and imported gourmet foods, meat, fish and poultry to hardware, manchester, clothing and authentic Australian artefacts and souvenirs.
Market Trading Hours
Tuesday: 6am - 2pm
Thursday: 6am - 2pm
Friday: 6am - 6pm (General merchandise closes at 4pm)
Saturday: 6am - 3pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm
Corner of Queen and Elizabeth Streets
South Melbourne Market
The South Melbourne Market is one of Melbourne's most popular markets. There are over 133 businesses operating in the market, selling a huge range of products and services.
Normal Opening Times:
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday: 8.00am - 4.00pm
Friday: 8.00am - 6.00pm
CLOSED: Monday, Tuesday & Thursday & some Public Holidays
Address: 322-326 Coventry Street, South Melbourne 3205
Melway: Map 1C Ref E11
Wheelers Hill Farmers Market
Jells Park South, Ferntree Gully Road
3rd Saturday of the month
8 am - 1 pm
Mel 72 A10
Dandenong Market
With over 17 fresh fruit and vegetable stalls, two fish mongers, a halal butcher, a poultry shop and a deli, you have everything you need in the one place. Shoppers will also find cheese stalls, nuts and dried fruits, confectionary and dry grocery goods.
Address: Corner Clow and Cleeland Streets, Dandenong, Victoria, 3175
Open: Tuesday 7am to 4pm, Friday 7am to 5pm, Saturday 7am to 3pm
Grow your own fruit and vegetables
Growing your own garden is a great way to teach your children about fruit, herbs and vegetables and also saves your family money! Don’t have a lot of space? No problems, start your garden in a small container or pot. Find out the benefits and how to get started at the Better Health Channel Gardening for Children page or visit their monthly planning calendar for more ideas and tips.
Do you have photos of your veggie garden? Email us and we can add them to the website.
