Producer – secondary



A Local Baker St Andrews
Products:
Organic sourdough bread plus some cakes and savouries
Local outlets:
Own shop – Thursday to Saturday
Ange’s Fresh Fruit & Veg, Kinglake
Bridge 2 Eden, Hurstbridge
Kinglake Pub and Pantry
Rosewood Cottage, Kinglake
The Roundabout Cafe, Warrandyte
Township/suburb:
St Andrews
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

A Little Baker St Andrews produces traditional handmade organic sourdough breads plus a range of artisan croissants, cakes and savouries, all baked in a wood-fired oven. The process includes resting the dough for a minimum of 6 hours from mixing to baking, with this resting time giving the bread a unique flavour and texture and making it easily digestible. All the breads are both yeast and preservative free, using the Lactobacillus bacteria for fermentation. Local ingredients are used where possible, including: berries from Kinglake, honey from Hurstbridge, citrus fruits, mushrooms and olive oil.

Now a cafe as well as a bakery.

Al Naturale
Products:
Almond milk
Local outlets:
La Manna Fresh, Brunswick
Township/suburb:
Heidelberg West
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

The almond milk is made with just 4 ingredients: almonds, Medjool dates, water and a pinch of salt. There are two variants, one with 20% almonds and the other with 8% almonds. There are no additives or preservatives.

The almond milk can be drunk neat (either hot or cold), in coffee or as an ingredient in cooked dishes. It lasts around 3 weeks in the fridge although, once opened, it should be consumed within, say, 5 days.

Glass bottles are used for environmental reasons.

Alberto’s Delicacies
Products:
Pestos, pasta, gnocchi, antipasto and pasta sauces
Local outlets:
Yarra Glen Racecourse Market
Township/suburb:
Preston
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

Alberto’s Delicacies use old family recipes and have been servicing small markets for around 12 years.

All Seasons Cooking Classes
Products:
Seasonal preserves & pickles, dahl mix, veggie slice mix and flavoured couscous
Local outlets:
Fruitland, Ringwood East
The Full Pantry, Croydon
The Meat-Inn Place, Lilydale
Township/suburb:
Croydon
Municipality:
Maroondah
Notes (in their own words):

All Seasons Cooking Classes make a variety of condiments. These include seasonal preserves & pickles, miso hot sauce, dahl mix, veggie slice mix & other mixes and flavoured couscous. Each is made in small batches, with no nasties. All are vegan and most are gluten-free. Most of the dry ingredients come from Terra Madre and are Certified Organic. The aim is to help people easily create healthy, fast and tasty meals.

The packaging is all either recyclable or compostable.

Alot of Good Stuff
Products:
Preserves and biscuits
Local outlets:
Own shop (Monday to Friday, 7am-2pm).
Township/suburb:
Bulleen
Municipality:
Manningham
Notes (in their own words):

Alot of Good Stuff’s preserves and biscuits are all made from locally-sourced produce and high quality ingredients. They are handmade in small batches in their shop to assure peak freshness and to maintain quality. They include gluten-free options.

Australian Harvest / Bio Grape
Products:
Certified organic horseradish vinegar, mustards, jams, chutneys, sauces and BIO-GRAPE fruit pastes
Certified Organic
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Coldstream
Notes (in their own words):

Certified Organic, award-winning, handmade gourmet foods that not only taste great but are also good for you. Horseradish vinegar, mustards, jams, chutneys, sauces and a range of four Panforte di Australia (quince, sambucca, ginger, siena). BIO-GRAPE range of delicious fruit pastes to serve with cheese, red wine, and chilli sauce. They are a family business, with only family members working in the business, who have been hand making certified organic and functional foods for over 25 years under their AUSTRALIAN HARVEST ORGANICS and BIO-GRAPE Brands.

AVS Organic Foods
Products:
Vegan products: non-dairy cheese and cream, sauces, pies, black salt and pet treats
Local outlets:
Aunt Maggies, Carlton
Aunt Maggies, Fitzroy
Best of Health, Greensborough
Eastfield Organic Natural Food Market, Croydon South
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew
Local Fine Foods, Diamond Creek
Naturally On High, Thornbury
Oasis Fairfield
Quintons SUPA IGA, Warrandyte
Sculli Brothers, Greensborough
Terra Madre, Northcote
The Cruelty Free Shop, Fitzroy
Vegan mini market, Abbotsford
Wholefood Merchants, Greensborough
Wild Things Food, Fitzroy North
Township/suburb:
Watsonia North
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

AVS Organic Foods (formally A Vegan Smiles) aims to create and provide tasty foods that are free from animal cruelty.

AVS focuses on non-dairy cheeses using different techniques that include culturing, ageing and fermenting. You don’t have to be vegan to enjoy vegan cheese.

AVS is a strong advocate for animal welfare and was founded on a desire to educate non-vegans that foods can taste great (even better without animal products), coupled with the frustration of the limitation in purchasing vegan-friendly or dairy-free products when out with family and friends.

Bee Rescue – Heidi Honey Hurstbridge
Products:
Raw honey, creamed honey and honeycomb. Hay fever, sinus and pollen asthma remedy. Chai tea and bees wax candles.
Local outlets:
Farm gate honesty box (during daylight hours only)
Township/suburb:
Hurstbridge
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Their honey is unheated and is without added rice or corn syrup. Seasonal varieties may include Grey Box, Messmate, Yellow Box, Red Gum and Manna Gum. The honey comes from hives which are migrated from Eltham and around the Green Belt, Yarra Valley to central Victoria, plus honey from rescued hives across Melbourne.

They also offer creamed honey, honeycomb, and a highly sought after local honey remedy for hay fever, sinus and pollen related asthma (see testimonials). Plus chai tea and bees wax candles.

Finally, as Bee Rescue, they also rescue bees across Melbourne from pest controllers.

Benny’s Berries
Products:
Strawberries and jams
Local outlets:
Toscano’s Kew
Yarra Glen Craft Market
Township/suburb:
Kilsyth
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

Benny’s Berries are well known for their fresh strawberries. In addition, their jams include blackberry, raspberry, strawberry, mixed berry and spiced fig with pear and walnut. These jams are cooked in small batches ensuring minimal cooking times, enhancing the fullest flavours and colours. They are made from a traditional classic family recipe using all natural ingredients sourced from the Yarra Valley. The philosophy is to keep it simple (only 3 ingredients are used) and natural, the way our grandmas use to make it.

Billy van Creamy
Products:
Vegan and dairy ice cream plus waffle cones, seasonal drinks and some other menu items.
Local outlets:
Own shops
Various festivals and community events
Township/suburb:
Fitzroy North
Municipality:
City of Yarra
Notes (in their own words):

Billy Van Creamy make ice cream free from artificial stabilisers, emulsifiers and flavours. It offers a wide range of dairy, vegan, gluten free and halal-friendly flavours made with fresh, locally sourced produce – and nothing else. Local suppliers include Schulz Organic Dairy, St David, Burd Eggs and Petty’s Orchard. They pit their own fruit, pick their own herbs, grind their own nuts, bake their own biscuits and make their own jams, so you can rest assured knowing everything in their ice cream is real and wholesome.

As well as ice cream, they make waffle cones (made daily), seasonal drinks some other menu items (e.g. jams and butters). They also offer cakes which are available via pre-order as well as catering for weddings and events.

Sustainability practices and impact on the environment are important to Billy Van Creamy. They source organic ingredients, where possible, from small producers and reduce waste by using stainless steel spoons for tastings, reusable dine-in options, and ‘BYO containers’ for takeaway. Milk is supplied in large bladders rather than small bottles and they are constantly trying to find better ways of reducing and disposing of waste.

Botanikos
Name:
Products:
Botanically infused simple syrups and shrubs
Local outlets:
Local outlets:
Heidi Makers Market
Township/suburb:
Wonga Park
Municipality:
Manningham
Notes (in their own words):

Botanikos makes a wide range of botanically-infused simple syrups and shrubs as cocktail or mocktail mixers. Each is made with fresh, local or Australian ingredients and each is infused with the flavours and aromas of various plants and herbs.

The simple syrup flavours include rosemary, thyme, lavender, bergamot, hibiscus, rose garden, lemon, lime, bitter orange, marmalade, indigo, chocola, salty pete, passionfruit and dragonfruit.

Shrubs are sour drink mixers made from apple cider vinegar, spring water, sugar, fruit and indigenous herbs (such as strawberry gum, lemon myrtle, pepperberry, anise myrtle, cinnamon myrtle and rivermint).

The business has a commitment to sustainability. Ingredients are local where possible, as are the bottles, labels and packaging. They minimise waste and any remaining waste products are composted.

Caffe Strada
Products:
Gluten-free breads, cakes and pastries
Local outlets:
Own shop
Bitter Sweet Cafe, Ivanhoe East
Jefferies, Croydon Hills
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Max’s Burger Bar, Montmorency
Pro-Health, Eltham
The Burger Lounge, Eltham
Were Street Foodstore, Montmorency
Township/suburb:
Ivanhoe
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

Caffe Strada makes a wide range of gluten free bread, which is available from both its own shop in Ivanhoe and a variety of other outlets in nearby suburbs.

Caffe Strada is also a cafe which focuses on producing healthy, flavoursome gluten-free food. The cafe is a 100% gluten-free environment and they bake all of their products. Their homemade sausage rolls are fructose-free.

Chef’s Fine Food
Products:
Pies, pates, terrines, pesto, tapenade and relishes
Local outlets:
Own shop – Monday to Friday, 9.30am – 5.30pm (recommend that you call first)
Eltham Gourmet Poultry
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Using locally-sourced, grass-fed beef and free-range chicken from the Yarra Valley, Erin and David Turnley have built a solid reputation over the last 10 years as producing some of the best family gourmet pies in the region. Their pie range includes chunky beef, chicken, scallop, roast vegetable and apple. At the local markets that they frequent, you can also sample their array of pates which includes chicken, duck, salmon and venison. Basil and coriander pesto and duck and chicken terrines are also available for sale. All ingredients are sourced locally, with grass-fed beef, and chicken, duck and venison which is free range and hormone free.

Chocolatier Australia
Products:
Affordable, premium, luxury chocolate
Local outlets:
Own shop
Township/suburb:
Ivanhoe
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

Chocolatier Australia make a wide range of affordable premium luxury chocolate, loose, seasonal and boxed. Their full range can be purchased from their shop in Ivanhoe but can also be found in major retail outlets across Australia, 5 star hotels, major international airlines, major sporting events and corporate hospitality venues. They also offer personalised chocolates for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries or any other social occasion.

Chocolatier Australia is one of a small group of Australian manufacturers who are licensed under the Fairtrade Labelling Organization of Australia and New Zealand. Fairtrade is an alternative model of international trade which aims to share the benefits of trade more equitably between consumers, producers and the environment. Their Fairtrade range currently comprises 2 gift boxes in milk and dark Chocolate and 2 Easter eggs in milk and dark chocolate. For more information about Fairtrade please visit www.fairtrade.com.au.

Cocoa Rhapsody
Products:
Chocolate (some Certified Organic, some vegan friendly)
Certified Organic
Local outlets:
Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods, Balwyn
Township/suburb:
Coburg
Municipality:
Merri-Bek
Notes (in their own words):

Cocoa Rhapsody sells Certified Organic chocolate, with much of the range also being vegan friendly. There are a wide range of flavours, including nectarines, strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, blackberry, walnut, kiwifruit and peach. The cocoa beans are processed to a conch time of 72 hours to produce a smooth, silky textured chocolate (conching is essentially the grinding of the cocoa beans – the longer the conch time the smoother the chocolate).

The chocolate is made using organic, fair trade, cocoa beans grown in the natural rainforest environment in the Dominican Republic, where the farmers above the market price for their beans. They also receive a 2% royalty of all chocolate sold which is contributed directly to the ‘hand in hand’ fund for fair trade.

Craftwork Roasting Company
Products:
Coffee
Local outlets:
Own shop (Monday-Friday, 7am-2pm; Saturday, 8am-2pm)
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Craftwork Roasting Company roast coffee, which they then sell in bags online and at their shop. There are 9 choices across espresso and filter at any one time, including 6 single origins, sourced through select merchants who work ethically and sustainably with coffee producers.

Their cafe (aka brew bar) and retail space has windows looking into the roasting and production area. Customers can browse brewing equipment, ceramic cups and Craftwork beans while they wait for their takeaway coffee. Or they can sit down to drink their coffee together with house baked pastries, cakes and bread.

Dougharty Baker
Products:
Organic sourdough bread
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Heidelberg Heights
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

Dougharty Baker’s bread is ordered online and then delivered to the following suburbs: Bellfield, Heidelberg, Heidelberg Heights, Heidelberg West, Ivanhoe, Kingsbury, Macleod, Rosanna and Viewbank. There are also pickup points in Clifton Hill, Heidelberg Heights and Ivanhoe. Baking to order means that there is less waste.

Their breads include fruit loaf, rye, spelt/khorasan blend, multigrain, white, wholemeal and wholemeal spelt plus they also make buns and crackers. They are all slow-fermented and made from Certified Organic ingredients. They are real sourdough, made with just flour, water and salt. No commercial yeasts or bread additives are used.

Fritz Gelato
Products:
Gelato and sorbet
Local outlets:
Own shop
Township/suburb:
Richmond
Municipality:
City of Yarra
Notes (in their own words):

Fritz Gelato sells low-fat, healthy, organic gelato. They currently provide 132 flavours of gelato and their range will continue to develop over time.

Girl Made Chocolate
Products:
Vegan, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, raw chocolate
Certified Organic ingredients
The Food Repository, Fitzroy
Township/suburb:
Northcote
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

Girl Made Chocolate produce handmade, raw chocolate blocks which are vegan, dairy-free and refined sugar-free. They use Certified Organic ingredients. Their flavours include salty walnut, chilli, goji berry and mint. Their chocolate is healthy for both humans and the environment.

Gourmet Pies
Products:
Pies
Yarra Glen Racecourse Market
Township/suburb:
Brunswick
Municipality:
Merri-Bek
Notes (in their own words):

Everyone loves a good pie. You can get an average pie anywhere but a pie that surprises you with its complex flavour in a package so simple and familiar is rare. Gourmet Pies takes pride in its pies; quality ingredients and all handmade. The available pies include: beef and mushroom; beef burgundy; beef curry; chicken and mushroom; chunky steak; chunky steak and cheese; pulled lamb and caramalised onion; red lentil and ratatouille; scallop and saffron; tandoori chicken; traditional plain aussie pie; and vegetarian.

Healthybake
Products:
A wide range of organic healthy breads
Certified Organic ingredients
Local outlets:
Own shop
Apples and Sage Organic Wholefoods, Balwyn
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Rhubarb Rhubarb Organics, Preston
Terra Madre, Northcote

For other local outlets, email them (enquiries@healthybake.com.au) with your postcode.
Township/suburb:
Lilydale
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

Healthybake make a wide range of breads, mostly using Certified Organic ingredients and with all their products that being free from chemical contaminants such as pesticides, herbicides, heavy metal residues etc. Their range includes both wheat-alternative and gluten-free that are suitable for people with wheat allergies, diabetes or people wishing to eat healthy and experience different foods. They bake with ancient grains including, spelt, khorasan, oat, millet, barley and rye, as well as superfood and FODMAP friendly breads.

Hillmartin Distillery
Products:
Gin
Local outlets:
Abruzzo Lab, Epping
Bar Ciconne, Macleod
Craft & Vine, Montmorency
Diamond Creek Hotel Bottle Shop
Panton Hill Hotel
The Black Sheep Hawthorn, Bar and Bottle Shop
Township/suburb:
Plenty
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Hillmartin Distillery is a small family owned operation, headed up by father daughter duo Gavin and Amy Shaw. They combine art and science to produce a range of gins for those with a taste for the sweet and fruity through to those who like something that is dry. And, of course, everything in between.

Holy Nuts
Name:
Products:
Nut butters, nut spreads and dukkah
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Thomastown
Municipality:
Whittlesea
Notes (in their own words):

Holy Nuts make nut butters, nut spreads and dukkah.

The nut butters and nut spreads are made from 100% Australian ingredients, with no preservatives or emulsifiers. They are made slowly in a stone grinder until they are totally smooth. The range encompasses almond, hazelnut, macadamia and pecan. Everything is gluten, corn, soy and dairy free, and there are also vegan and keto options.

At markets, they also sell vegan and low sugar brownies, sugar free cupcakes, refined sugar free & vegan bliss balls, and vegan hot chocolate & turmeric latte made from the nut butter.

Imbue Distillery
Products:
Gin
Local outlets:
Own tasting and boutique bottleshop (Wander North, 13/149 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe), open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, each midday-8pm.
Fitzroy Cellars
Hop and Vine, Warrandyte
Liquorologist, Balwyn North
Lower Plenty Liquor
Northcote Bottleshop
Second Home, Eltham

Venues: Bowerbird Bar, Richmond; Craft Kitchen and Bar, Eltham; Fondata 1872, Kangaroo Ground; Jock & Eddie, Eltham; Little Black Pig & Sons, Heidelberg; Little Drop of Poison, Eltham; Mercer’s Restaurant, Eltham; Next Door Warrandyte Bar and Eatery; Platform 3095, Eltham; The Grace Darling Hotel, Collingwood
Township/suburb:
Research
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Imbue Distillery are a husband and wife team that make hand-crafted gins and gin liquers imbued with stories (and flavours) relating to where they live (Nillumbik). They are not afraid to play with flavours and, for example, their first product was gin infused with dandelion, prickly pear, blackberry and fennel, all foraged from the local area. Over time, they plan to expand to other spirits and liqueurs. Together, founders Mel and Mick Sheard share 30 years’ experience in Melbourne’s food industry.

In January 2020, Judy Vizzari interviewed Mick and Mel Sheard from Imbue Distillery. Read her writeup of the interview.

Island Home
Products:
Curries (both fish and vegan) plus accompaniments
Local outlets:
The Common Good, Hawthorn
Wild Things Food, Fitzroy North
Township/suburb:
Princes Hill
Municipality:
City of Yarra
Notes (in their own words):

Island Home make Sri Lankan curry meals, both fish and vegan, which you take home and, once heated up, are ready to eat. Their menu changes from week to week. They also make a number of accompaniments, including date and lime chutney, spicy vegetable pickle, preserved eggplants in tamarind, and semolina and rose water (Ceylon Love) cake.

As well as their ready made meals, at markets they also sell read-to-eat pan rolls.

They also offer a waste-free catering service.

They source their ingredients locally where possible and certified organic where possible. Their packaging is 100% home compostable, with their meals being wrapped in banana leaf and their accompaniments in recyclable glass.

J.B. Shackleton’s
Products:
Marmalade, jellies, jams and luxury condiments
Local outlets:
Balgownie Estate, Yarra Glen
Bee Sustainable, Brunswick
East Ivanhoe Grocers – Foodworks
Foodworks Wonga Park
Metropolitan Foods, Templestowe
The Post Office, Wonga Park
Township/suburb:
Wonga Park
Municipality:
Manningham
Notes (in their own words):

J.B. Shackleton’s make traditional homemade marmalade, jellies, jams and spreads using recipes handed down through their family for more than five generations. Specific products include marmalade (orange, tangelo, cumquat, lime, lemon, grapefruit), jellies (quince), jams (raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry), various honeys and panforte. Everything is made by hand, in small batches, using natural ingredients, and with all the fruit from Australia. Because they use fresh fruits, availability depends on what is in season.

J.B. Shackleton’s have won a host of international awards, including Gold medals in the World’s Original Marmalade Competition in the UK in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2020.

The company is one of the earliest to have made and sold marmalade in Melbourne, with the original shop being at 3 Elgin Street, Carlton in the 1880s. The business, however, began much earlier in the UK around 1780, probably making them one of the earliest ever makers of marmalade.

In December 2019, Judy Vizzari interviewed Lachlan Shackleton-Fergus from J.B. Shackleton’s. Read her writeup of the interview.

Juanita’s Kitchen
Products:
Mexican and West African sauces. Also, selected beverages.
Local outlets:
Own shop
Casa Iberica Deli, Alphington
Casa Iberica Deli, Fitzroy
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew
Township/suburb:
Preston
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

All of Juanita’s products are vegan, with no preservatives, dairy, gluten or sugar. They include a range of Mexican sauces & salsas, West African sauces & marinades, and beverages (chai, hibiscus tea and a smoothie mix). Her aim is to share flavours and ingredient combinations that she has discovered, stumbled accross and loved over the years, producing products that are as close to home cooking as they can be.

Juanita also operates a cafe, the menu of which is designed around, and uses, the Juanita’s Kitchen products.

Kanelle
Name:
Products:
Quiches and pastries
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Forest Hill
Municipality:
Whitehorse
Notes (in their own words):

Kanelle’s pastries include chicken boucane, roasted vegetables, cheese, and hobey bacon & caramelised onions. Their pastries include coconut tart, cherrie tart and cupcakes. Kanelle comprises two twin brothers, originally from Lyon in France, who have been making sweet and savoury pastries for many years, ever since graduating from cookery school together. Their parents are originally from the French Caribbean, and their food reflects their French and Caribbean roots.

Kellybrook Winery
Products:
Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernets, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Shiraz, Apple Brandy and Tawny Port. Also, cider and beer.
Local outlets:
Cellar door – Thursday to Monday, 10am-5pm (closed on Thursdays in Winter).
Call them (9722 1304) to find out if any sellers near you.
Local brands sold:
Cunliffe & Waters
Stone and Crow Cheese Company
Township/suburb:
Wonga Park
Municipality:
Manningham
Notes (in their own words):

Kellybrook produces a range of wines, ciders (branded Kelly Brothers) and beers (branded Riders Brew Co.). Their wines include Shiraz, Cabernets, Pinot Noir, Rosé, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Gewurztraminer, as well as Apple Brandy and Tawny Port. Their ciders include Sparkling, Apple and Pear. Their beers include Golden / Summer Ale, American Pale Ale and Porter.

Darren and Farley Kelly founded Kellybrook Winery in 1962, starting with cider and then moving onto wine in the 1970s. It was the first winery in the Yarra Valley to receive it’s Vigneron Licence and Cellar Door licence (1969) and it is one of the few wineries in the Yarra Valley still owned by the original family. Set amongst lush vineyards and historic gardens, the winery offers an authentic Yarra Valley tasting and working farm experience. A large range of wines, beers, ciders and local produce are available for tasting and sale. Picnics and grazing plates featuring local produce are also available all day. The gardens feature a 125-year-old oak tree which is listed with the National Trust, as well as roses, salvias and bulbs.

On the last Sunday of each month, ‘Sunday Sessions’ are held with live, local music from 1.30-4pm and hot food from the kitchen. Over the first weekend in May, there is the annual Kellybrook Cider Festival, soon to be in its 30th year.

Kooinda Boutique Brewery
Products:
A range of beers
Bottlemart Ivanhoe
Bottlemart Macleod Cellars
Cardamone Gourmet Supermarket, Fairfield
East Ivanhoe Grocers – Foodworks
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew
Lower Plenty Hotel Bottleshop
Lower Plenty IGA
Rosanna IGA
Sir Henry Barkly Hotel, Heidelberg
Southern Road Cellars, Heidelberg Heights
The Merri Clan, Preston
The Old Fire Station Cafe Gallery, Preston
The Olympic Hotel, Preston
Township/suburb:
Heidelberg West
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

Kooinda (an Aboriginal word meaning “happy place”) is a boutique brewery producing natural, unfiltered, unpasteurised, quality ales. After starting out as the first ever residentially-licensed brewery in Australia, it has recently expanded into a commercial brewery (using a production line apparatus once belonging to Mountain Goat) and now sells 8 different beers all-year round.

Kookaberry Strawberry Farm
Products:
Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, figs, persimmon. Jams, syrups and vinegars. Soup, berry pies and frozen berries.
Local outlets:
Notes (in their own words):

Fresh strawberries available mid October to mid June, raspberries available December to June, blackberries available from late December to mid March, and boysenberries and logonberries available in season. Fresh, hot homemade soup, frozen berries and award-winning homemade jams and syrups available all year. The soup is organic, Vegan-friendly and gluten-free. Most of the berries are spray-free.

La Villa Salumi
Products:
Pork sausages, bacon and smoked smallgoods
Kinglake Produce and Artisan Market
Yarra Glen Racecourse Market
Township/suburb:
Kilsyth
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

La Villa Salumi make pork sausages, bacon and smoked smallgoods which they sell at markets.

Sausages as they should be: pork, salt, spices and herbs. No preservatives, gluten, rice, rusk or filler. Herbs and spices are hand blended (no commercial mix here), and sausages are hand tied using natural casings. None of the meat has been frozen, allowing customers to freeze at home if they desire.

A sweeter, Canadian style of bacon: slow-cured with maple syrup and brown sugar, then double-smoked in-house. As this bacon is dry cured, it does not contain excess water weight, which means it provides consistent cooking and crisping. Available sliced to any thickness, as lardons, slabs or whole bellies.

Smoked American-style franks: made using the same quality pork as the sausages. Finely ground pork is blended with a hint of chilli and select (hand blended) herbs and spices, then smoked in-house to provide a smoky frank with a great snap.

Kielbasa (polish garlic sausage): a traditional Polish recipe forms the basis of this smoked garlic sausage which is ready to eat. A small amount of beef is incorporated with pork and fresh garlic, along with herbs and spices, hand tied into rings and smoked. The result is a distinct garlic flavour with good mouth feel.

Loco for Cocoa
Products:
A wide range of chocolate
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Preston
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

Loco for Cocoa make a wide range of chocolate bars, all full of flavour and interesting textures. There are 22 different flavour combinations, including some vegan options. Other than the cacao beans, they try to only use locally sourced ingredients.

They also sell rocky road, pretzel crunch biscuits and salted caramel fudges.

Love Is Coffee
Products:
Four different coffees
Certified Organic ingredients
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Diamond Creek
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Love Is Coffee sells four different coffees: Ethiopian, Nicaraguan, Peruvian and Timorean. The coffee can be bought as either roasted beans or as ground coffee. The coffee is roasted on the day of the market using Certified Organic, fair trade coffee beans.

Magic Muesli
Products:
Muesli and porridge
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Fitzroy North
Municipality:
City of Yarra
Notes (in their own words):

Each ingredient in Magic Muesli’s muesli and porridge is selected for the important role that it plays in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Oats and psyllium are a good source of dietary fibre. Goji berries contain antioxidants and cranberries contain vitamin C. Ground linseeds, sunflower seeds and almonds release the good fatty acids and whole linseeds aid digestion. Walnuts and chia seeds provide essential omega-3. And almonds, pumpkin seeds, buckwheat, sesame seeds and currants add goodness. The muesli is not toasted and contains no added sugar, no syrups, no juice, no added fats, and no preservatives – just raw and natural.

Mama Bakes Naturally
Products:
Gingerbread men, chocolate chip cookies and sweet & savoury bites
Eastfield Organic Natural Food Market, Croydon South
Township/suburb:
Ringwood East
Municipality:
Maroondah
Notes (in their own words):

Mama Bakes Naturally makes allergy-friendly hand-made treats which are completely free from gluten, dairy, egg, nuts, refined sugar, GMOs or any artificial ingredients.

Manuko
Name:
Products:
Vegan chocolate treats
Certified Organic ingredients
Local outlets:
Bicycle Thieves Cafe, Northcote
Briki cafe, Thornbury
Dineamic Cafe, Carlton North
Dineamic Food, Camberwell
East Elevation, Brunswick East
Little Woodpecker, Blackburn North
McAdam’s Apple, Croydon
Richmond Rush Cafe
Warrandyte Stonehouse Cafe
Wild Things Food, Fitzroy North
Township/suburb:
Thornbury
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

Manuko make a range of chocolate slices and truffles, stocked in select cafes and specialty retailers around Melbourne. All products are made from Certified Organic ingredients, and are raw, gluten free, dairy free, refined sugar free and vegan. Their products have a two month shelf life when stored refrigerated.

Their slices include salted caramel, turkish delight, hazelnut ganache, otway walnut ganache, peanut crunch, matcha mint, choc jaffa and choc coconut. Their truffles include original, turkish delight and mint.

Mary Monica Gin
Products:
Gin
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Yarra Glen
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

Mary Monica Gin only started out business in 2020 and their first product is called ‘oriental gin’, which is a south east asian inspired citrus gin. They live on a regenerative citrus farm in the Yarra Valley where they grow the botanicals used to flavour their gins. Their key botanicals are picked fresh in season and distilled within 24 hours. Timing is everything. This means that, when the season’s batch is sold, they do not produce any more gin until the next fruit is on the trees.

Finally, whence the name Mary Monica Gin? Mary Monica was the owner’s Great, Great Grandmother, who ran a pub in Chapel Street, South Yarra, during the great depression.

Mixed Bag
Name:
Products:
Chai and hot chocolate blends. Also marshmallows and cookies.
Local outlets:
Township/suburb:
Reservoir
Municipality:
Darebin
Notes (in their own words):

Mixed Bag make chai and hot chocolate blends, which they sell in both pre-packaged bags and, at markets, as freshly made hot drinks. Their flavours include: original chai, coconut blossom vegan chai, chocolate orange spiced chai, original hot chocolate, mint-infused hot chocolate, and chai sprinkles. They also sell marshmallows and cookies.

Naught Distilling
Products:
Gin.
Local outlets:
Bespoke Wine & Spirits, Thornbury
Blackhearts & Sparrows, Brunswick
Briar Hill Cellars
BWS Doncaster Drive
BWS Eltham Drive
BWS Templestowe
Craft & Vine, Montmorency
Dan Murphys Bulleen
Dan Murphys Bundoora
Dan Murphys Camberwell
Dan Murphys Collingwood
Dan Murphys Doncaster East
Dan Murphys Eltham
Dan Murphys Forest Hill
Dan Murphys Preston
Doc’s Liquor, Ringwood North
Donburn Cellars, Doncaster East
East Ivanhoe Grocers – Foodworks
Hurstbridge Cellars
FoodWorks Montmorency
IGA Express Croydon South
IGA Ringwood East
Jefferies, Croydon Hills
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew
Liquorland Blackburn North
Liquorland Diamond Creek
Liquorland Eastland, Ringwood
Liquorland Eltham
Liquorland Greensborough
Liquorland Mitcham
Liquorland The Pines, Doncaster East
Lower Plenty Liquor
Mt Evelyn IGA Supermarket
Natural Science Wine and Liquor, Blackburn
Nicks Wine Merchants, Doncaster East
Purvis Wine Cellars, Surrey Hills
Quintons SUPA IGA, Warrandyte
Ritchies IGA Pentridge, Coburg
Ritchies SUPA IGA Diamond Creek
Ritchies SUPA IGA Ringwood North
Ritchies SUPA IGA Yarra Glen
Waterdale Cellars, Ivanhoe
Westgarth Liquor and Grocery, Northcote
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Naught Distilling make a range of gins, including australian dry, classic dry, overproof and sangiovese.

The production process starts by using a base spirit distilled from wheat because wheat-based spirits carry lovely oils and create a velvety mouthfeel. This base spirit is then pumped into a 800-litre copper pot still, selected botanicals are added, and these botanicals are agitated and heated up in an overnight process to maximise oil extraction. The following morning, the mix is distilled and then condensed to create the gin.

Naught also have a speakeasy-style cocktail bar, open Thursday to Sunday, where you can buy a variety of mostly gin-based cocktails plus food. Book your place.

On Saturdays, they run cocktail masterclasses. Book your place.