Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods

Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods At Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods, you will find the best quality fresh produce Melbourne has to offer along with an amazing range of Mediterranean groceries.

There aren't many grocery stores left in the world where the staff will carry your groceries to your car when you’re done shopping. That's just one of the things the staff like doing "old-school" at Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods store in Ashburton. Joe & Jason Russo are 3rd generation fruiterers. Together with their dad Salvatore (aka Sam) Russo, the three old-school fruiterers are continuing the

legacy started some 50 years early by papa Giuseppe Russo. An icon in the Ashburton Village with locals, you will always get that authentic local Italian grocery store experience when you come in and shop. And along with old-school service you will also find simply amazing produce when you visit our store. Joe, Jason & Sam are up well before the crack of dawn, to ensure they source you the freshest & tastiest fruit & vegetables Melbourne has to offer. Along with amazing fresh produce, the Ashburton Top Shelf store has a sensational range of Mediterranean groceries so you can find everything you need to make that perfect meal for your family. Delicious meals begin with Top Shelf ingredients & that's exactly what you'll find when you come and shop in our Ashburton store.

22/06/2026

Joe’s Market Update 22nd June 2026

First up this week are premium raspberries!
After some bumper growth over the last month or so, they have come right back in price, and they are perfect!
They taste great, are nutritious, and are important to your daily nutrient intake.
They’re high in antioxidants, which help keep free radicals under control.
Studies show that raspberries have the highest levels of antioxidants next to pomegranates.

New season Queensland strawberries are super sweet and worth a spot in your shopping basket.
If you plan to eat your strawberries in a day or two, leave them out of the fridge.
Don’t wash them until you are ready to eat them.
If you plan to keep them for a few days, store them in the fridge and, if possible, pull them out a day before eating.

If you’re looking for something a little different, Blood Limes are new in.
They taste a little more like an orange than a lime and give a fabulous burst of citrus that is a little different to what everyone is expecting.
Their colour alone is worth a place on your table!

Something else a little different this week is Vietnamese cucumbers.
Brilliant in an Asian-style salad.
They have thinner, bumpier skin that isn’t as bitter as that of other cucumbers and Asian salad greens.

Cara Cara oranges are at their peak right now!
They are sweet and so juicy that they run down your chin.
We know because it happened today to one of our girls!
Cara Caras are a special variety and the best of the season.
And we can all do with a little extra Vitamin C at this time of year!

Finally, this week, I want to mention micro herbs.
They don’t just look good; they taste great too!
While they’re associated with fine-dining restaurants, they make a great garnish when you’re cooking a special meal or entertaining.
It’s how delicate they are that makes them so good.
Unlike full-grown herbs, the aromatic flavour they add to a dish is second to none.

That’s all for this week’s update!

Ciao,
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Ashburton Village 3147

Joe's Market Update 22nd June 2026First up this week are premium raspberries!After some bumper growth over the last mont...
22/06/2026

Joe's Market Update 22nd June 2026

First up this week are premium raspberries!
After some bumper growth over the last month or so, they have come right back in price, and they are perfect!
They taste great, are nutritious, and are important to your daily nutrient intake.
They're high in antioxidants, which help keep free radicals under control.
Studies show that raspberries have the highest levels of antioxidants next to pomegranates.

New season Queensland strawberries are super sweet and worth a spot in your shopping basket.
If you plan to eat your strawberries in a day or two, leave them out of the fridge.
Don't wash them until you are ready to eat them.
If you plan to keep them for a few days, store them in the fridge and, if possible, pull them out a day before eating.

If you’re looking for something a little different, Blood Limes are new in.
They taste a little more like an orange than a lime and give a fabulous burst of citrus that is a little different to what everyone is expecting.
Their colour alone is worth a place on your table!

Something else a little different this week is Vietnamese cucumbers.
Brilliant in an Asian-style salad.
They have thinner, bumpier skin that isn’t as bitter as that of other cucumbers and Asian salad greens.

Cara Cara oranges are at their peak right now!
They are sweet and so juicy that they run down your chin.
We know because it happened today to one of our girls!
Cara Caras are a special variety and the best of the season.
And we can all do with a little extra Vitamin C at this time of year!

Finally, this week, I want to mention micro herbs.
They don’t just look good; they taste great too!
While they’re associated with fine-dining restaurants, they make a great garnish when you’re cooking a special meal or entertaining.
It’s how delicate they are that makes them so good.
Unlike full-grown herbs, the aromatic flavour they add to a dish is second to none.

That's all for this week's update!

Ciao,
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Ashburton Village 3147

Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Honey Mustard Salad SplashThis is a lovely light salad full of gentle spices.The salad sp...
20/06/2026

Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Honey Mustard Salad Splash

This is a lovely light salad full of gentle spices.

The salad splash is a vinaigrette-style dressing found in our grocery aisle.

It works great with chicken, too!

– – – – – – – – – –

Ingredients
½ small cauliflower
2 tbsp avocado oil
Salt & pepper
8 green cardamom pods
1tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp Nigella seeds
2 cups rocket
1 avocado, sliced
1 small cucumber, thinly sliced
Fresh dill, to garnish
Honey & mustard salad splash from Yarra Valley Preserves

Method
Preheat oven to 160C.

Cut or tear the cauliflower into florets and discard the thicker base.

Place cauliflower, oil, salt, pepper, cardamom pods, oregano, and Nigella seeds on a baking tray. Toss to combine and roast for about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, divide rocket, avocado and cucumber between two plates. Scatter over the dill and roasted cauliflower, and then splash over the dressing!

A better choice

Top Shelf Grocery UpdateBoulangerie StroopwafelThis week we have a new range of Stroopwafels in-store in original, hazel...
18/06/2026

Top Shelf Grocery Update

Boulangerie Stroopwafel

This week we have a new range of Stroopwafels in-store in original, hazelnut and gluten-free caramel.

They’re a Dutch sweet treat crafted from two thin, crispy, waffle-like biscuits, sandwiched with a sweet filling.

Perfect to enjoy with a mid-morning or afternoon coffee!

If a savoury bite is more your style, grab a bag of Ricci’s Bikkies Pita Bits.

Perfect for dipping or snacking, they’re all-natural, crispy, and seasoned pita bites that are baked, not fried, in the Yarra Valley.

We have chipotle cheese and Mediterranean flavours.

Joe’s Pick of the Week!Cauliflower!Cauliflowers have come right back in price this week and are excellent value!Our caul...
17/06/2026

Joe’s Pick of the Week!

Cauliflower!

Cauliflowers have come right back in price this week and are excellent value!

Our cauliflower grower is right here in Victoria and only supplies the very best quality.

Their tips for choosing a cauliflower are:

First up, look for good colour - nice and white, especially coming into winter cauliflowers.

No yellow or purple tinges and a nice, firm head.

Flip it over, and the butt should be nice and white too, not discoloured.

Size doesn’t matter; you’ll get the flavour regardless.

And finally, look for tight buds that give a little when you press on them, a little like an avocado.

It will be tender, lovely to eat, and very nutritious.

It’s packed with vitamins C and K, folate, fibre, and choline. It’s also low in calories.

We love cooking cauliflower in winter.

Cauliflower is amongst the most versatile vegetables you will ever find!

There isn’t much it can’t do.

Mash it, roast it, steam it, bake it, eat it raw, blitz it for a soup or casserole, or use it as rice; the options are endless!

Add it to curries and casseroles; steam or roast it for salads. Whip up cauliflower and cheese.

If you are a macaroni and cheese fan, it's a fantastic addition to your daily veggie intake. And the kids won’t even know it's there!

We love it in potato gratin too, and it's hard to go past a cauliflower puree or cauliflower poppers.

We have a limited supply of mini white, purple (Jacaranda), yellow baby cauliflowers, and green Romanesco cauliflowers, all grown in Victoria by the Patsuris family.

They're a variety we are very happy to stock.

Baby cauliflowers are just that: they're picked a few weeks earlier, not a different variety.

They look great on a platter or cooked whole and are quite tender.

Recipe links to cauliflower recipes on our website!

Cauliflower Steaks

https://topshelffruits.com.au/cauliflower-steaks/

Pasta Cheesy Bake with Cauliflower and Potato

https://topshelffruits.com.au/pasta-cheesy-bake-with-cauliflower-and-potato/

Spice-Roasted Cauliflower with Honey Mustard Salad Splash

https://topshelffruits.com.au/spice-roasted-cauliflower-with-honey-mustard-salad-splash/

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpea & Coz Winter Salad

https://topshelffruits.com.au/roasted-cauliflower-spiced-chickpea-and-coz-winter-salad/

Cheesy Zucchini, Cauliflower & Chive Muffins

https://topshelffruits.com.au/cheesy-zucchini-cauliflower-chive-muffins/

Cauliflower & Potato Curry

https://topshelffruits.com.au/cauliflower-potato-curry/

Patsuris Premium Produce

15/06/2026

🥔 Joe’s Market Update - Mon 15th June 2026 🥔

The latest news direct from our farmers and the wholesale markets!

J*p Pumpkin, Womkok Cabbage and celery are great value this week!
Perfect for winter soups and stews...

And don’t forget to check out our new varieties of Asian Vegetables.

New season Easy Peel Oranges have arrived.
If sweetness is what you like in oranges, you can’t go past Easy Peels.
They are the sweetest oranges you will find all year.
Koala Easy Peels are Australian-owned and farmed, and what sets them apart is their unique easy peel skin and easily segmented fruit pieces.
They’re seedless, juicy, and low-mess oranges with low acidity.
They also have the most antioxidants of all oranges.

This week, we love our range of potatoes.
We have a potato for every dish you want to cook!
They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals, and there are reportedly over 5000 varieties, according to The Potato Centre’s Peruvian Headquarters!

Dutch Creams are a waxy variety with a yellow flesh and a rich buttery taste.
Make sure you give them a good scrub!
Sebago’s are also unwashed; they have white flesh and are great for chips!

If you don’t feel like scrubbing dirt off your potatoes, go for Desiree or Royal Blues.
They’re great yellow-flesh all-rounders.
If you want a potato that will hold its shape, go for a yellow-fleshed potato.
They have more flavour too!

Gourmet Kipfler, Cocktail White and Kestrels are a few other varieties in-store.

If you aren’t sure which potato is best for how you want to cook it, ask and we’ll help you!

Finally, this week, cauliflower is my pick of the week.
We have a close relationship with our cauliflower farmers and only get the best.
They’re my pick of the week because they are such good value and grown in Vic, so they have low food miles too.
Check out our ‘Pick of the Week’ post tomorrow for health benefits and recipe ideas.

That’s all for this week’s update!

Ciao,
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Boroondara Life Ashburton Village 3147 Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods

🥔 Joe’s Market Update - Mon 15th June 2026 🥔The latest news direct from our farmers and the wholesale markets!J*p Pumpki...
15/06/2026

🥔 Joe’s Market Update - Mon 15th June 2026 🥔

The latest news direct from our farmers and the wholesale markets!

J*p Pumpkin, Womkok Cabbage and celery are great value this week!
Perfect for winter soups and stews...

And don’t forget to check out our new varieties of Asian Vegetables.

New season Easy Peel Oranges have arrived.
If sweetness is what you like in oranges, you can't go past Easy Peels.
They are the sweetest oranges you will find all year.
Koala Easy Peels are Australian-owned and farmed, and what sets them apart is their unique easy peel skin and easily segmented fruit pieces.
They’re seedless, juicy, and low-mess oranges with low acidity.
They also have the most antioxidants of all oranges.

This week, we love our range of potatoes.
We have a potato for every dish you want to cook!
They’re loaded with vitamins and minerals, and there are reportedly over 5000 varieties, according to The Potato Centre’s Peruvian Headquarters!

Dutch Creams are a waxy variety with a yellow flesh and a rich buttery taste.
Make sure you give them a good scrub!
Sebago’s are also unwashed; they have white flesh and are great for chips!

If you don't feel like scrubbing dirt off your potatoes, go for Desiree or Royal Blues.
They’re great yellow-flesh all-rounders.
If you want a potato that will hold its shape, go for a yellow-fleshed potato.
They have more flavour too!

Gourmet Kipfler, Cocktail White and Kestrels are a few other varieties in-store.

If you aren't sure which potato is best for how you want to cook it, ask and we'll help you!

Finally, this week, cauliflower is my pick of the week.
We have a close relationship with our cauliflower farmers and only get the best.
They’re my pick of the week because they are such good value and grown in Vic, so they have low food miles too.
Check out our ‘Pick of the Week’ post tomorrow for health benefits and recipe ideas.

That's all for this week's update!

Ciao,
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Boroondara Life Ashburton Village 3147 Top Shelf Fruits & Fine Foods

10/06/2026

🍐Joe’s Market Update – 9th June 2026 🍎

We have some interesting produce this week!

First up, Sour Sops are in.
They’re a tropical fruit with a creamy texture, similar to a custard apple, from the same family, and it has a very short season.
If you haven’t tried it before, you should give it a go.
It’s a bright green, oval-shaped fruit covered in nodules that has a tangy-sweet- sour flavour.
Don’t worry about the nodules, unlike a prickly pear, you can handle them without fear of prickles.
Discard the seeds; they aren’t good to eat.
Look for a firm fruit that gives slightly when touched – a little like an avocado.

Piqa Boo Red Pears are in.
They’re a bright red pear that is best eaten crunchy and has delicious, sweet, juicy flesh.
They combine characteristics from European, J*panese and Chinese pears.

Green Papaya is new too.
It’s basically an unripe papaya picked before it ripens to orange and becomes sweet.
It has a crunchy texture and a mild flavour and is used more as a vegetable in South Asian cooking.
Famous in Asian salads.

Cooking bananas, also known as Plantains, are back in stock after a couple of weeks.

New season apples and pears are eating well, and Wombok cabbage, baby boy choy and bagged red grapes are great value this week.

And finally this week, we have Long Melon in!
A long melon, also known as a bottle gourd or opo squash, is a long, light green, cylindrical vegetable with smooth and white, spongy flesh.
It’s technically a fruit, but it is more commonly used as a vegetable.
It’s a mild, slightly sweet vege that is packed with moisture, making it quite refreshing.
It’s great added to curries.

That’s all for this week’s update!

Ciao
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Ashburton Village 3147

🍐Joe’s Market Update – 9th June 2026 🍎We have some interesting produce this week!First up, Sour Sops are in.They're a tr...
10/06/2026

🍐Joe’s Market Update – 9th June 2026 🍎

We have some interesting produce this week!

First up, Sour Sops are in.
They're a tropical fruit with a creamy texture, similar to a custard apple, from the same family, and it has a very short season.
If you haven’t tried it before, you should give it a go.
It’s a bright green, oval-shaped fruit covered in nodules that has a tangy-sweet- sour flavour.
Don’t worry about the nodules, unlike a prickly pear, you can handle them without fear of prickles.
Discard the seeds; they aren’t good to eat.
Look for a firm fruit that gives slightly when touched – a little like an avocado.

Piqa Boo Red Pears are in.
They're a bright red pear that is best eaten crunchy and has delicious, sweet, juicy flesh.
They combine characteristics from European, J*panese and Chinese pears.

Green Papaya is new too.
It’s basically an unripe papaya picked before it ripens to orange and becomes sweet.
It has a crunchy texture and a mild flavour and is used more as a vegetable in South Asian cooking.
Famous in Asian salads.

Cooking bananas, also known as Plantains, are back in stock after a couple of weeks.

New season apples and pears are eating well, and Wombok cabbage, baby boy choy and bagged red grapes are great value this week.

And finally this week, we have Long Melon in!
A long melon, also known as a bottle gourd or opo squash, is a long, light green, cylindrical vegetable with smooth and white, spongy flesh.
It’s technically a fruit, but it is more commonly used as a vegetable.
It's a mild, slightly sweet vege that is packed with moisture, making it quite refreshing.
It’s great added to curries.

That's all for this week's update!

Ciao
Joe Russo
Foodie | Third Generation Green Grocer

A better choice Ashburton Village 3147

05/06/2026

We'll be closed on the Kings birthday public holiday.
We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Address

225 High Street
Ashburton, VIC
3147

Opening Hours

Monday 6am - 6pm
Tuesday 6am - 6pm
Wednesday 6am - 6pm
Thursday 6am - 6pm
Friday 6am - 6pm
Saturday 6am - 5pm
Sunday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+61 3 9885 2242

Website

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