Westridge fruiterers take out plum award | Toowoomba Chronicle


 
 
 
 

FOURTH generation fruiterers Luke and Matthew Boulus were thrilled to learn their business was identified as one of the best in the state.

The brothers are the owners of Westridge Fruit and Vegetables on West St.
The family owned and operated business was recently named as one of the top 25 retailers in the state by the Brisbane Produce Market.
Luke Boulus said the industry recognition was a fantastic boost for the business and its employees.
"It is based on a mystery shopper system where a person reviews the store at three different times throughout the year," Mr Boulus said.
"In December, the mystery shopper gave us a score of 96 out of 100.
"It is absolutely fantastic news for us," he said.
 
 
Mr Boulus said a lot of hard work and long hours had been spent building up the business over the past six years.
"Being a family owned business makes it more rewarding," he said.
"We would love to win the Retailer of the Year award. Especially being a regional store up against bigger metropolitan stores.
"It would be the ultimate achievement."
The 2013 Brisbane Produce Market Retailer of the Year will be announced on March 1 at a gala dinner in Brisbane.
BIG YEAR FOR WESTRIDGE IN 2012
  • Bananas: 30,000kg
  • Watermelon: 23,500kg
  • Local mixed lettuce: 20,000kg
  • Avocados: 17,300kg
  • Mix and match fruit buckets: 17,200kg

What's Inseason Now!

                                                                              

 

Sweet, juicy mangoes are now in season, with farmers already starting to harvest the fruit from the Northern Territory. The fruit from NT has been harvested from July through to end of October then moving to the Queensland fruit. Qld Mangoes will be harvested from October till March.

 

An earlier mango harvest is tipped for Queensland this year following a delayed and stunted crop in many growing regions last season. Quantities of mango were down last season, due to a warm winter that affected flowering, as well as early wet season rain which hampered picking.

 

However, this year most of the region's trees are in full flower, thanks to an early cold snap in June and continued mild weather. Growers are saying it was a welcome sight.

 

Compared to last year, last year was non-existent. It was quite a poor year and so next year will definitely make up for it. Some mango fruit has already set but spring weather, including temperature ranges and storms, will affect yields.

 

From growers reports, I think the mango season's looking pretty good for the QLD region. Everybody should be able to find the good Mareeba mangoes just before Christmas