Stock the pantry with Victorian produce

Victoria is known for its food production credentials, with the Gippsland food bowl providing fresh fruit and vegetables for Australia all year round, and the greater Bendigo region named Australia’s first ‘City of Gastronomy’ by UNESCO in late 2019.

While a road trip to stock up at regional markets and delis isn’t an option currently for Melburnians, a wide selection of fresh produce is already available online. Via the digital platform Victorian Country Market shoppers can purchase a fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy products, meats, arts, crafts and homewares from businesses across the state. So why not swap the socially distanced supermarket shop for a stress-free digital stock up? Choose a veggie box from Grampians Produce Co, olive oil and condiments from Rich Glen in Yarrawonga, premium meats from Provenir in Bannockburn, or indulge that sweet tooth with some inspired scoops from Timboon Fine Ice Cream. Your isolation baking needs are also covered with flour from Tuerong Farm on the Mornington Peninsula.

For a food delivery service with a cause look no further than CERES Fair Food. CERES is a proud social enterprise in Brunswick East supporting Victorian farmers, grocery makers and suppliers throughout the year. CERES Fair Food was born from a weekly veggie co-op for the staff at CERES Environment Park and has blossomed into an initiative that provides organic and low carbon produce from farm to table. Bread from La Madre in Geelong and Meredith Goat Cheese are among the vast array of delicious products on offer.

Those after something  a little more spicy can look to Golden Grocer, a new online grocery store from the Commune Group. Enjoy restaurant-quality Asian pantry and produce items, versatile sauces and curry pastes, and heat-and-eat meals made in-house by the chefs behind Melbourne’s favourite southside venues Tokyo Tina, Hanoi Hannah, and the recently opened, Firebird.

Co-Lab Pantry is a digital retail hub that unites pantry staples from some of Victoria's most popular restaurants, bars, cafes and producers. Think sumptuous sticky date pudding from Piccolina Gelateria, breakfast negroni marmalade from Four Pillars, Entrecôte secret herb and butter sauce, original BBQ sauce from Fancy Hanks and gin mayo from St Ali. It’s a condiment-lovers paradise and that’s just the beginning.

Those desiring a taste of the country should look no further than the Regional Pantry, which stocks a variety of food, drinks, gifts and art from the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges and delivers to Melbourne. Grab some organic sourdough from Habituel, a tea-taster pack from Olinda Tea House, strawberry and lavender jam from Warratina Lavender Farm or indulge that sweet tooth with a hamper from Yarra Valley Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery.