The Living Smart guide to accessing local food and supporting our local producers

Here on the Sunshine Coast, we are fortunate to have an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts and local goods grown and crafted right here, in our own backyard.

Many businesses also offer online ordering which makes it easier to get wholesome, nutritious food delivered to your door, especially if you are in self-isolation.

You might even like to pay it forward and purchase produce for someone in need.

We have collated a few resources for you that might be helpful at this time, but as you would appreciate things are subject to change and let us know if there a useful resource we can add to the list.

Please take care where ever you go and practice social distancing.

#buylocal #eatlocal #shoplocal #supportlocal

ONLINE SALES WITH HOME DELIVERY

Feel Good Food Boxes

Sallie Francis from Feel Good Food Boxes is on a mission to make fresh, seasonal, ethical, organic food accessible to everyone. Recognising that not everyone can afford to buy organic, chemical-free fruit and vegetables, several different pricing tiers are offered, with market value subscriptions subsidising boxes for lower income families.

Freshbox

Freshbox offers home delivery for fruit, vegetables and specialty items such as bread, eggs and nuts. With a think globally, act locally approach to systems and practices, Freshbox purchases only organic produce and encourages regenerative practices on supplier farms. Home or office delivery available.

Good Harvest Organic Farm

Good Harvest family farms in Woombye and Ninderry offer curated seasonal organic boxes for weekly or fortnightly delivery or choose what you like from their extensive organic farm gate selection. Deliveries take place every Friday.

You can also see Mick and the team at the Noosa, Kawana Waters and Marcoola Farmers markets (food markets are considered ‘essential services’ and able to remain open during Covid 19, although keep a check for local updates).

To further help people who are self isolating you can add pre-cooked meals to your order from Mill St Kitchen and Pantry prepared with the same local quality produce.

The Falls Farm

A family-run farm in Maleny, offering wholesale and retail organic seasonal produce, selling only what they grow. Choose from a range of veggie boxes or customise your order. Weekly orders close at 4pm on Sundays in time for picking Monday morning.

To further assist the community during Covid 19, Falls Farm are offering a delivery service to residents of Mapleton, Dulong/Kureelpa, Flaxton, Montville and Maleny. If you still opt to pick up from the farm, the pickup process involves you driving through the carpark and picking up your box without entering the farm’s packing/coldroom area.

Shambhala Farm

A small farm with a big heart, Shambhala Farm grows nutrient-rich produce with natural farming methods in 10 acres of fertile soil in Doonan in the Noosa Hinterland. Up to 50 varieties of leafy greens and vegetables are available seasonally. Sign up for a regular FarmBox delivered to your door or visit their team at the farmers markets.

Sandy Creek Organic Farm

A community supported agriculture farm in the Glasshouse Mountains near Beerwah, supplying certified organic produce. Weekly veggie boxes are available for a monthly or seasonal subscription.

Farmers First Fruit and Veg

Farmers First is committed to providing the freshest produce from the regions from Bundaberg to Toowoomba including local Sunshine Coast produce. For the latest information and packages, visit the Facebook group. Delivery to the local area is available seven days a week. Orders for the next day can be placed by phone or text to 0402 326 741 or email to farmersfirst1@outlook.com

The Farmer’s Gate

The Farmer’s Gate is a local fresh produce wholesale that services both businesses and individuals with produce sourced both locally and interstate depending on seasonal availability. Packs include fruit and vegetable; fruit, vegetable and salad and fruit packs. Free, same day delivery is available in some areas.

INDEPENDENT STORES

Your local bakery, butcher and green grocer are considered essential services and able to open to offer you some of the most localised food services you may find.

Matt’s Coolum Farm Fresh (also online)

Matt has been in the local food industry for over 30 years. Where possible, local produce is sourced direct from local growers. The store sells a range of fresh produce, dairy and small goods, bakery and dry goods. Free home delivery for Noosa to Mooloolaba and surrounding suburbs. Call 5351 1510 any day after 9am for same day delivery. 17 Heathfield Road, Coolum Beach

IGA Marketplace Wises Road (also online)

Sells a wide range of local produce as well as produce and grocery items sourced outside the region. Online ordering to and delivery to a limited area (or in-store pick-up) are available. 32 Wises Road Maroochydore.

White’s IGA

With five supermarkets across the region, White’s IGA buys direct from farms and local agents that source local products. Keep an eye out for the local logo as your ticket to purchasing a quality Sunshine Coast produced product. Stores are located in Bli Bli, Mooloolah, Mount Coolum, Peregian Beach and Baringa

Maleny IGA

Promoting, supporting and selling a large range of locally produced goods. Their blue ticket system makes it easy to identify items that have been grown or produced in the local region. Open 6am - 9pm daily. 26 Maple Street, Maleny

Mill St Kitchen and Pantry

Produce sourced direct from Sunshine Coast growers. Fresh organically grown fruit and vegetables, organic chicken eggs and a selection of locally baked breads with plenty of gluten free options. Plus a great range of pantry staples and take home meals/food options. 5-7 Mill Street, Nambour

Maple Street Co-op, Maleny

Health food shop that also sells locally produced fruit, vegetables and other products. Open Monday to Sunday 37 Maple Street, Maleny

Jeffers’ Market

A local institution in Yandina, Jeffers' Market sells a wide range of local produce and deli type items. Open Monday to Saturday. 1/14 Farrell Street, Yandina

BFresh Café Deli Market

Some locally grown produce in the marketplace. Also, check out the café which uses many local ingredients. Open 7 days a week. 239 Nicklin Way, Warana

Grub Organics

A haven for lovers of raw, real and whole foods, Grub Organics carries a range of fresh organic fruits and vegetables. 20c Timari Street, Pacific Paradise

Frocals

Serving up produce from local farmers via a store in Kings Beach and pop up café in Caloundra. Sign up to Club Frocals for a weekly order of fresh, local produce. Create your profile, set your budget and pick up on your chosen day from the Kings Beach store. Kings Beach store open 6am to 6pm daily, Corner De Vene Ave and Ormonde Terrace.

FARMERS and COUNTRY MARKETS

Food Markets are considered essential services during Covid 19, although some may choose to close of their own accord. Always good to check in each week or link into your local through social media for updates.

Practicing social distancing and good hygiene is essential.

Kawana Waters Farmers Market

Every Saturday 6am - midday Kawana Waters State College, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

Noosa Farmers Market

Every Sunday 6am - midday 155 Weyba Road, Noosaville

Yandina Country Markets

Every Saturday 6am - midday North Street, Yandina

Fishermans Road Markets

Every Sunday from 6am - midday Corner Fishermans Road and David Low Way, Maroochydore

Marcoola Farmers Market

Every Saturday from 8am 10 Lorraine Avenue, Marcoola

Witta Market

7am - 12 pm, 3rd Saturday of the month 316 Witta Road, Witta

Crystal Waters Country Market

8am - 1pm first Saturday of the month (except January) 65 Kilcoy Lane, Conondale

Mapleton Country Markets

8am - 12pm 4th Saturday of the month Mapleton Hall and Sportsground, 31 Obi Obi Road, Mapleton

Currimundi Country Markets

A range of stalls including fruit and vegetables, crafts, books and second hand clothing. 7am - 12 noon every Saturday Currimundi School, 17 Buderim Street Currimundi.

If you know of a local business that is supporting and selling fresh local produce, please let us know so we can add it to this list.