Sunshine Coast Fruit and Veg Store Scores Back-to-Back Wins as Australia’s Best
Dave & Tanya Husband with their staff.
Australia’s best fruit and veg store has been awarded to an iconic, Sunshine Coast family business for the second year running.
Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables has won the A better choice! 2026 Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Award, cementing its reputation as the nation’s most-loved fruit and veg store.
“Thank you to our community for all your support. I am so proud of our team,” said Tanya Husband, part-owner and the third-generation Erbacher family member, who began helping in the store at just two years old, collecting eggs for her grandparents.
“It is wonderful to be recognised for doing what we love. We focus on consistently delivering old-fashioned service and sharing our fresh produce tips and insights with customers.”
The fruit and veg store was founded by Eric and Thelma Erbacher in 1965 and is now run by Tanya alongside her father, brother and uncle, with the support from the wider family. Today, the business proudly spans four generations, with second, third and fourth-generation family members continuing the Erbacher tradition of serving the local community.
“Customers tell us not to change and we are happy to continue bringing them a large variety of the highest-quality, fresh produce at affordable prices. We hand-select the best fruit and vegetables straight from the Brisbane Markets and source fresh strawberries, greens and eggs from trusted local growers and suppliers,” said Tanya.
“We have very loyal customers, some travelling for more than an hour from as far as Gympie and Brisbane for their weekly shop. The fact that they are supporting a family-owned and operated local business means the world to us.”
This is the second national A better choice! Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Award for Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables and its fourth state award. Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables beat 440 independent fruit and vegetable stores nationally to take the win with 4,405 votes. Claiming the runners-up in Queensland for a second year were Fresh Sensations Carindale (2nd place) and Fruity Life Nambour (3rd place).
Fresh Sensations Carindale Manager Andrew Mousikos said securing second place in Queensland again was recognition of his team’s passion and commitment to their customers.
“Being recognised as one of Queensland’s top fruit and vegetable retailers is incredibly humbling for our family and team,” said Mr Mousikos.
Knowing our customers have taken the time to vote for us means a great deal and reflects the hard work we put into delivering quality produce, exceptional service and a welcoming shopping experience every day.”
Fruity Life Nambour owner Kurt Drummond said the award was a tribute to the loyalty of both his staff and customers.
“To finish among Queensland’s top three again is something we are incredibly proud of. This recognition reflects the dedication of our team and the continued support of our loyal customers and community,” said Mr Drummond.
The A better choice! Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Awards celebrate Australia’s leading independent fruit and vegetable retailers, recognising businesses that consistently deliver variety, quality, freshness, and service while supporting Australian growers through the Brisbane Markets.
The Erbacher’s win has been applauded by Brismark, the member organisation representing Queensland’s fresh fruit and vegetable wholesalers based at the Brisbane Markets in Rocklea, and the organisation which runs the A better choice! program in Queensland.
“The Erbacher’s team has earned the trust of its community over generations. Customers know they will find not only a large variety of fresh, quality produce, but also genuine service and people who care,” said Andrew Young, Brismark CEO and Brisbane Markets Limited Managing Director and CEO.
“Their longstanding relationships with wholesalers at the Brisbane Markets allow them to select the best Australian-grown fruit and vegetables from Queensland’s Heart of Fresh Produce and have them onto shelves within hours, giving shoppers exceptional freshness and value. It is a well-deserved recognition of a family business that continues to put quality, affordability and local relationships at the heart of everything it does.”
A better choice! National Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Awards
National winner: Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables – Diddillibah, Sunshine Coast
Queensland winners:
1st – Erbacher’s Fruit and Vegetables – Diddillibah, Sunshine Coast
2nd – Fresh Sensations Carindale – Carindale, Brisbane
3rd – Fruity Life Nambour – Nambour, Sunshine Coast
4th – Lawnton Country Markets – Lawnton, Brisbane
5th – Mr Fresh Fruits – Lutwyche, Brisbane
6th – Toowoomba Fresh – Toowomba
7th – VC Fruit Market – Ferny Hills, Brisbane
8th – Fresh Sensations Chermside – Chermside, Brisbane
9th – Beemart – Bundaberg
10th – Harvest Markets Yamanto – Yamanto, Ipswich
About A better choice!
The A better choice! Retailer Program is a national program designed to educate consumers about the many benefits of shopping at their local, independent fruit and veg shop. A better choice! retailers provide their customers with a large range of quality, fresh, Australian grown produce sourced through Australia’s Central Markets. For more information about A better choice! or to find your nearest A better choice! retailer head to www.abetterchoice.com.au.
About Brismark
Brismark, or The Queensland Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries Co-operative Limited, is a member organisation which provides industry representation, advocacy and services to support the wholesaling sector of the fresh fruit and vegetable industry, and actively contributes to strengthen the Central Market system. The organisation also oversees the A better choice! retailer program in Queensland.