It's only a small store, but the Canterbury Fruit Emporium is stocked with beautiful seasonal…read morefruit, juices and youghurts. Last week I passed by and overheard a conversation that the owner was having with his wife. He seemed to be upset with the fact he had to charge so much for bananas, not because he thought nobody would buy them - but because he seemed to be disappointed that he had to charge such a price. The owners of the Canterbury Fruit Emporium take pride in their produce. This is evident from the presentation of their fruit and veggies, to the friendly service that they offer you each time. The Canterbury Fruit Emporium not only provides locals with beautiful seasonal fruit (hello Zucchini flowers!), but some of the other businesses too. I remember Matt, the owner of successful café Cornelius telling me that he bought all his fruit and vegetables from across the road. Leave it to the professionals, if Matt is making beautiful food with that produce, then its good enough for me.

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 really do like these farmers markets, though of course I'm not going to travel all the way down…read moreto Dandenong just to visit this particular one. However, I still think these places are pretty cool, especially with the diverse range of produce, and this particular market is definitely no different. Actually, it is larger than some of the others located around Melbourne, and has been divided up between the produce section, and what I can the nik-naks section, though that is generally the case with most of them as well. Yeah, this place is pretty cool.

I absolutely love shopping here. A few booths sell items at very low prices. I bought some…read moregreeting cards for $1.50 each, and I got scarves and gloves for very cheap. For some booths, the prices aren't as low here as they are at nearby thrift stores, but there are many friendly and helpful vendors here. I bought some of the cutest and warmest jumpers (sweaters) for $25 each. Currently the outfit I'm wearing is 75% compiled from clothes I bought from this market. Come during lunch hour and watch a cooking demonstration. At the end, you walk away with delicious fresh free food. They also have a wonderful variety of cuisine from around the world to buy here. On my first trip, I bought Mauritian food, which cost less than $5 for two items. Other than clothes and food, you can find electronic accessories, jewelry, toys, movies, and various other items. I bought my auntie some lovely natural soaps from here. Just make sure you have enough cash before hitting the shopping stalls. Some places will accept cards, but not all. There are a few ATM's in the market if you need to withdraw cash.

Luppino Fresh is Dandenong Markets best fruit and vegetable stand. Outstanding quality is backed up…read moreby excellent customer service at this large market stall. For ease of finding in the market, it is situated directly opposite to the Aldi store facing the back car park. Every time you go there , you think why in the hell do so many people shop at Coles and Woolworths? The fruit and vegetable here would save you 30-40 percent , comes straight from the growers and is backed by great customer service.

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.

Beautifully presented produce store but you're paying the prices for it... Perfectly laid out & top…read morenotch produce on offer complete with bucket flower market in case it's a smell-the-roses sort've day. But the best thing about this fruit & vege market is not only that they have packaged nuts n all the current health crazed fads but they also cater to the juice nuts. Juice bar with all your offerings of fruit & vege, to take out the guess work & help the indecisive they have a menu board of juice mixes & smoothies to help you out. Otherwise make your own juice with up to 5 choices free with the exception of your greens like kale, mint, spinach & a few other items.

This little fruit market is oddly placed right next to all night dance club revolver, although…read moremaybe it that could work in their advantage - drunken partiers heading home and needing something to fill their bellies. Revolver patrons aside Surace Fresh has a very good selection of fresh fruit and vegetables at prices significantly lower than the supermarkets. It's hard not to be drawn in through the open doors with tempting tropical fruits like mangoes, peaches, strawberries and pineapple lining the walkway, Surace Fresh also has a cool area where you can pick up meats and seafood, Asian groceries and on the other side of the store dried fruits and tasty roasted nuts. It is hard to access Surace Fresh if your driving as parking on Chapel Street is a nightmare, your best bet is either walking or catching the old 79 tram all the way down.

Located on a busy corner of South Melbourne Market this fruit and vegetable store is high quality…read moreand well displayed. All the produce looks appealing and the herb selection is fresh and plentiful. The space is divided into fruit and vegetables which makes navigating your shopping list much faster. While more expensive then other market greengrocers the quality is better, thus proving the adage 'you get what you pay for.' If your on a budget make sure you check out the $1 bags section for produce that you should use ASAP. Multiple counters serve this busy store which means you don't have to wait too long to pay.

There's a lot of choice at the market when it comes to fruit and veg but I find this one to be…read morequite reliable in terms of quality and having everything we need. The specials are placed on the outside, so you can pick up some bargains or opt for the fresher/better looking stuff inside if you can't see what you're after. Just remember to let the staff know what you've picked up from outside to get the discount.

Conveniently located next to Woolies in Vogue Plaza, I normally go to Green Apple Fruit and Deli…read morewhen I can't find what I need at Woolies. Sad but true! Unfortunately, this store is my second choice but at times, has offered a good variety of fresh fruit and vegetables at competitive prices compared to its neighbour. However, I have to say that the service staff at Green Apple Fruit and Deli are certainly uninterested in anything but chatting among themselves. On more than one occasion I've had to wait for the cashiers to finish their chat before being served. And I'm not one to be picky about these things but when you're rushing home to cook dinner with a handful of groceries, you really want to just pay and get out of there. Besides that, I've picked out some very sad looking vegetables before and handed it to the counter staff to be thrown out- but when I was there the day after, the same sad bunches were still for sale. That being said, this store does have its perks - like super cheap seasonal fruit (while stocks lasts) and a good range of gourmet condiments. But unfortunately, playing second fiddle to its larger next door neighbour is only expected.

I always love having a stroll around Green Apple Fruit and Deli, there are so many great products…read morein this elegantly set out store, if your lucky you will find that they do put plenty of products on tasting usually on the weekends. the fruit and veg here is always nice and fresh and if your not happy the staff have no problem in replacing it for you, we all know that fruits and vegies do go off and its sometimes hard to keep control of so many fresh products, but I think that Green Apple is doing a great job in competing with their much larger rival woolworths, whenever woolies have a special on Green Apple are always on top of it and beat their price and usually offer better quality fruit and veg. for example: Strawberries: Woolies: $3.98 ea Green Apple Fruit+Deli: 2 for $5 Mangoes: Woolies: $3.98 ea Green Apple Fruit+Deli: 3 for $6 Avocados: Woolies: $2.48 ea Green Apple Fruit+Deli: 3 for $5 THAT'S FOR EXACTLY THE SAME AVOCADOS!! Bananas: Woolies: $2.48 kg Green Apple Fruit+Deli: $1.78 kg Nectarines: Woolies: $4.48 kg Green Apple Fruit+Deli: $2.78 kg That's Just some of the great savings you can find in this great store, I think that the staff at Green Apple are usually nice and polite, well they could smile abit more but at least they are polite. If your not happy you can ask for the young man who looks after the family business, he always seems to have a great smile on his face and always keen on having a chat to customers.