The biggest of the Brunswick fruit vendors, Russel's Fruit and Veg aka the Brunswick Market is a…read moregreat one for doing a big shop. It covers fruit and vegetables that are both in and out of season, and are priced to reflect this. There're some really great deals on the seasonal output, though like anywhere, you do have to hunt through the pile to get to the good stuff. Eftpos is available for purchases over $10, and there are a host of specialty meat stores and delicatessens lining the walk in through the mini-mall. It's geared to people buying in bulk but there're also some bargains to be had for the solitary shopper. It's always a good place to find stuff the other local fruit and veg shops don't have in store.

It's a little hidden, and you must journey through a strange land of foreign music and fresh cuts…read moreof meat, but for the price vs. quality equation Brunswick Fresh Fruit Market is a must. Just off a tram stop on Sydney Rd, you can be back in the city in less than twenty minutes.

I was really disappointed with this market! A frequent goer of Gaswork Park and Veg Out, this is…read moreteeny tiny in comparison I am sorry to say. It felt like there is less than 10 stalls. Normally I fill my trolley with fresh produce. Here I bought a sad bunch of carrots (organic) and a bag of orange. The most impressive thing was the grilled cheese sandwich from Milawa cheese. Three layers of cheese made toastie heaven. Nom Nom nom

Small market with inconsistent quality produce. I have really tried to love this market as it is…read morenext to my house. Many things I bought have gone rotten very quickly or have been of average to low quality. Unfortunately I cannot recommend this place.

With so many second hand markets around these days, it's really a hit and miss as to whether you…read morewill luck upon scoring a good find for a decent price. Fitzroy market is a small market at the Fitzroy Primary School that has a well edited selection of clothes, books, shoes, bits and bobs. There is definitely an element of 'Fitzroy cool' at the market, with a younger range of sellers. Note, when I say younger, I'm talking 20-30s (which is the age bracket I fall in). This is one of my favorite markets around at the moment.

Great little local market held in the grounds of Fitzroy Primary School on the third Saturday of…read moreevery month in 2012 (it's previously been the first Saturday of the month). Mostly secondhand clothes, records, toys and bric-a-brac - almost always at very reasonable prices. Not many food and drink options: a sausage sizzle and a very good coffee stall, but there's plenty of other cafes and bakeries nearby on Smith or Brunswick Streets if that doesn't take your fancy. Entry by gold coin donation.

The Abbotsford Convent Slow Food Market is my fav in the city. I've been coming here for 7 years…read moreand I love it. It's held on the 4th Saturday of the month. I love the setting in the Convent grounds, I love the walk / ride along the river to get here and I love ending it with a beer / wine at the Bakery. I don't think this is a market where many could afford to do their weekly shopping but it's great to get some specialist items of superb quality. My fav items here are the only PROPER style pork English sausages from Pacdon I've found in Australia and the pork pie and bacon is fab too! The biggest perk of coming here is to pick up a few bottles of Peregrine Ridge red wine from Heathcote - it's by far my fav Australian wine. There's not a dud amongst them. A special place in my heart is the sparkly shiraz - just amazing.

This is one of four inner city markets run by the Melbourne Community Farmers Markets. Held on the…read more4th Saturday of the month it is unique as it demonstrates both Slow Food principles as well as meeting the Victorian Farmers' Market Association accreditation criteria of being direct from local producers only. So what is The Slow Food movement? You know when people say tomatoes, meat or fruit were tastier back in the day? That's because we used to eat traditional slow growing varieties and breeds. So globally, Slow food is about protecting those heirloom and rare breed varieties of food, which are fast becoming extinct in favour of modified fast growing produce that suits the turnover of supermarkets, fast food chains and industry. It is also about supporting your local farmers and producers, without the middle man. Slow Food Australia says "We build networks between grower and eater, agriculture and market, community and world. We champion good, clean, fair and local food in ways that enhance knowledge, respect and passion." So while this produce may not be familiar nor look as perfect as shop food, it is significantly more tasty, takes longer to produce, is chemical free, raised and handled ethically and works towards creating a sustainable future for the planet. The supermarket duopoly does not. So there's another point of difference. At the front of this market is seasonal fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, baked goods etc, in the courtyard at the back is meat, fish, dairy and cheese. And then there is the amazing Slow Food breakfast stall. If you really want to taste the difference, eat this stall's food before shopping and skip the Convent Bakery. You'll find the Slow Food stall's dishes have all been made from produce at the market. All made from scratch, no packet mixes or industrial processed foods. It's a beautiful example of what you can actually do with the market's food. We go regularly and learn a lot from talking to the farmers there. They give you cooking and handling tips and are happy to answer questions. If you come too, come early before everything sells out and bring your own bags, these farmers want to do you a favour by reducing waste too.

The best way to have lunch on Wednesday if you are in or near Melbourne University campus. There…read moreare a lot of nice spots to buy take away meals (falafel, bagels, juices, coffee, ...) or some vegetables to take home. You can eat it on the campus grass in a cool atmosphere and kind music.

Flemington Fresh Centre is an old fashioned greengrocer on Racecourse Road. The range of fruit and…read morevegetables here is so fresh you'll want to live on salads! Compared to the nearby supermarket, Flemington Fresh Centre offer far better value for money and service; you even have the option of phoning ahead to place an order for pick up, or having a standing weekly order with the store. Another advantage of shopping at this local grocer is that there's a greater emphasis on produce that is currently in season - you won't end up paying astronomical prices for fruit that's been flown in from the other side of the world because it's the wrong time of year for Australian growers.

I have refused to purchase fruit and veggies from the supermarket for a long time now, for reasons…read moreI don't need to get into here. Fitzroy's finest is a great alternative. Situated on a busy corner on Smith St, they have huge competition with a mega mart right next door. They are obviously doing something right, because they continue to be there after years of competition. Thankfully banana prices are coming back down - I picked up a bunch today for 5.99 a kilo. There is always a few great specials out the front on the street and there is a decent varying selection inside. Besides fresh fruit n veg, they also stock spices, eggs and have a daily box of ciabatta rolls. They also do free delivery - perfecto!

I'm aaaaaall for Woolie's selection, and sometimes good clearance prices. I mean, come on, I'm a…read morebroke student. But this place beats them bigtime in the fruit and vege departments. HUGE avocados, like big as a melon. Super fresh capsicum. As many mushrooms as out on the farm, and sometimes the only place I can find shallots (perfect and necessary for cooking almost any sauce dish). Seriously, skip the fruit and vege at Woolies, head right next door and get it all there, but bring cash because they're not huge fans of using EFTPOS for a $9 bill.

Of all the cluster of speciality stores in the Psarakos complex, these chicken ladies and dudes are…read moremy second favourite. I'll get this straight though: I ain't a big chicken eater, so won't even suggest I have the foggiest idea what all those bits of birds are under the glass. Sure, there's the breasts and legs and stuff, I'm not stupid, but I'd be buggered if I knew what to do with them. There's another reason I rate these chicken folk so highly, and it's not my relationship with the granddaughter of a chicken farmer either. The reason I love (that's right, love) these folk is the eggs. I love eggs! Who doesn't? And if you love eggs, you gotta love free-range eggs. They're yellower in the yolk and they hold together so, so much better in the pot. The good folk at J & N Poultry know eggs. Off course they do, it's their job right? Right. But they take a lot of pride in their eggs. They take so much care, in fact, that they'll personally check the well being of every egg in the dozen they sell you. And you just don't get that kind of service anywhere these days.