“Some fantastic winter specials this week at Harris Farm. Cauliflowers and broccoli are both really cheap and really good quality. Imperfect black zucchini and celery have both come back in price as has fennel. 

Tomatoes are great quality and very well priced though they have strengthened in price. Imperfect Kumera continues to be great value and this weekend we will have brushed potatoes at a very attractive price; they are keeping well. Put a few away and take advantage of this price.” 
 

- David Harris

“Still more rain than we need impacting our peak berry period. The strawberries from the Sunshine Coast are finally really coming good, however, drizzle persists that holds them back a bit. The blueberries from Coffs are really copping it, affecting both supply and quality.  

Navels and mandarins continue to be both inexpensive and fantastic, sweet, good eating fruit. The imperfect Murcotts mandarins are hard to beat. 
 
Apples and pears are both still very good although there are some early varieties of red apples that I would avoid. 

Avocados are superb and excellent value. Our farmers have extended grape plantings further into North Queensland and this is providing us with great eating white grapes, all Aussie, where we would normally have been relying on imports at this time of the year.” 

"The Queensland strawberry season is in full swing. The fruit is excellent, full of flavour and very attractively priced. Most of this fruit is grown in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, where the nights are cold and the days warm. These strawberries are excellent quality and keep very well.  

  
Don’t forget to take them out of the fridge a good half an hour before you consume them. Strawberries are high in vitamin C, low in calories and a great favourite with all generations; a real treat with your breakfast cereal or to snack on at any time of the day." 

- David Harris 

HOW TO PICK 
 

The perfect strawberry should be fully coloured, firm, bright, plump and shiny. Size plays no part in determining the perfect strawberry. In fact, small strawberries are equally as sweet and juicy as large ones. Make sure the cap (calyx) is attached, green and fresh-looking. 
 

HOW TO STORE 

The moisture content of strawberries is high, so always remove fruit from punnets and place (unwashed) in a large container lined with absorbent paper. Strawberries are best stored at 4°C, either uncovered or loosely covered. Serve at room temperature. Only remove their caps after washing and just prior to use.