Shop



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.

Bolton Street Deli & Liquor
Category:
Local brands sold:
Marisa’s Kitchen
Vincent Testa’s Honey
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Bolton Street Deli & Liquor provides a full range of groceries, from condiments and bread, through beverages and honey, to chocolate and wine. They also sell a wide range of cheeses, meats, dips and homemade produce in their deli section. Gluten-free and organic products are available.

They are THE major stockist of local food products in North East Melbourne, with products from around 20 local producers.

They also serve coffee, breakfast, snacks and lunch from 7am daily (8am on Sundays). Some examples of food options include soup, pasta dishes and moussaka.

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.

Dark Horse Cafe, Wine & Produce
Local brands sold:
Coldstream Brewery
House of Gingerbread
Napoleone Brewery & Ciderhouse
Warrandyte Berry Farm
Township/suburb:
Watsons Creek
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

The Dark Horse Café, Wine & Produce is in Watsons Creek, on the road from Eltham to Yarra Glen. It overlooks two acres of landscaped gardens, along with an ornamental lake, and is surrounded by a natural bushland setting. Its cafe and store are open Wednesday to Sunday.

The store sells a variety of local produce, from baked goods and condiments to wines and ciders.

The cafe sells all day breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea. It is fully licenced. Read the menu.

Dynamic Vegies
Certified Organic
Local brands sold:
Seasonal, certified organic produce
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Certified Organic and Biodynamic fresh produce. Seasonal local organic produce such as Research raspberries, Wandin Valley blueberries, Coldstream lemons, Panton Hill garlic and Healesville free range eggs. Groceries, coffees and much more.

Eltham Deli
Category:
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

A comprehensive range of meats, cheeses, organic and gluten-free products. Also, platters, heat ‘n’ serve meals and made-to-order hampers.

Gateway Market
Products:
Vegetables and herbs
Local outlets:
Own shop – open 7 days, 9am-5pm.
Cunliffe & Waters
Montrose Meats & Smokehouse
Township/suburb:
Coldstream
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

Gateway Market grows a wide range of vegetables, herbs, fruit and flowers. These are grown in a temperature-controlled hydroponic greenhouse, which uses much less water than conventional growing methods. Shoppers can pick their produce directly from the plants.

As well as their own produce, Gateway Market sells a range of fruit, vegetables, cheese, pies, chutneys and jams, all grown or made in the Yarra Valley.

They also have a cafe.

Hurstbridge Deli & Larder
Category:
Local brands sold:
Local brands sold:
City Larder
Floridia Cheese
Cunliffe & Waters
Township/suburb:
Hurstbridge
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Hurstbridge Deli & Larder is a delicatessen and kitchen offering home style cooked meals, lunches and coffee. They have lots of delicious food such as pasta (fresh homemade as well as dry and frozen), pasta sauces, antipasto, soft & hard cheeses, smoked products, frozen pies, pastries and a small range of specialty meats such as gammon, Irish sausages, steak & double smoked bacon. Much of their food is either homemade or locally sourced. They also do hampers, platters and catering for special occasions to suit all budgets.

They are open 6 days a week: Mon–Fri 8am–6.30pm and Sat 8.30am-6pm.

Hurstbridge IGA X-press
Category:
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Hurstbridge
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Kangaroo Ground General Store
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Kangaroo Ground
Municipality:
Nillumbik
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.

Natural Food Market
Category:
Certified Organic
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Montmorency
Municipality:
Banyule
Notes (in their own words):

The Natural Food Market sells healthy foods, with a focus on whole foods. Produce is sourced as locally as possible, with a focus on seasonality and freshness. They stock both organically certified produce, as well as produce that follows the similar principles (including no preservatives, no added sugar, no numbers, ethically produced, and clear labelling of where it is grown or produced) but has not been certified.

The range of food includes: fresh, seasonal, organically certified fruit and vegetables; dried goods (pulses, wholegrains, seeds, nuts and dried fruits); various flours; teas & coffees, spreads & condiments; both gluten and gluten-free breads; and refrigerated cabinets full of dairy, tofu, meats & drinks (such as kombucha).

There are no plastic bags in the shop and customers are encouraged to bring their own containers. There is a boomerang bags dispenser for those who’ve forgotten to bring their own.

Nature’s Harvest Hurstbridge
Category:
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Hurstbridge
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Nature’s Harvest offers customers who have a preference to natural produce, a complete range of health food products and alternatives to conventional products found in everyday shopping outlets. It specialises in organic and biodynamic produce, grown in ways intended to protect wildlife and the environment. The store stocks a large range of products including organic and biodynamic meat & chicken, organic fruit and vegetables, flours, grains, nuts, local raw honey and freshly ground peanut butter, free of any oils, preservatives or contaminants. Local, free-range eggs, as well as a selection of yoghurts, cheese, tofu, dips, vitamins and health drinks, are also available for purchase. For those with specific dietary requirements, Nature’s Harvest also offers a wide selection of gluten and wheat free products including cereals, flours, sweets, biscuits and grains.

Nillumbik Cellars
Category:
Local brands sold:
Coldstream Brewery
Coombe Farm Wines
Yering Station Winery
Township/suburb:
Diamond Creek
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Nillumbik Cellars have been trading for over 30 years and are on hand to provide tasting advice. Promoting great local wines are their speciality and they know the area, the wine makers and, most importantly, the local grape-growing conditions. Albert Di Pietro and his staff conduct regular wine tastings. Nillumbik Cellars also has an adjoining cafe, the Vines Cafe, where you can sit and relax after your wine tasting.

Old Evropa
Products:
Organic, sourdough, European-inspired baked goods
Certified Organic ingredients
Local outlets:
Own shop
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Old Evropa’s products include focaccia classica (with cherry tomato & olive), focaccia nera (olives only), pain ordinaire, pain de campagne, pain de Provence and pain au Levain. All their products are handmade, utilising traditional time-honoured methods, using only the finest organic ingredients. The long fermentation enhances the products’ flavour and makes them suitable for people with gluten sensitivity.

Organic Empire
Category:
Certified Organic
Local outlets:
Own shop
Home delivery
Local brands sold:
A range of producers from across the Yarra Ranges.
Township/suburb:
Mount Evelyn
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

What separates the Organic Empire from the majority of other home delivery services is their unique farm to door service. They are committed to connecting communities with local farmers, artisans and food producers. Fresher foods, fair trade for farmers, better for the environment and better for your health. Their values centre on:

1. Sustainability: they only harvest and order what you order; they re-use their delivery boxes.

2. Local: much of their produce and groceries is sourced from local farmers and producers and both parties know each other.

3. Organic: most of their produce is either Certified Organic or Certified Biodynamic. Where not, it is still grown without any artificial chemicals, pesticides, herbicides or insecticides.

4. Convenience: You can shop online 24 hours a day, at whatever time is easiest for you, or place an order to have a box delivered each week.

5. Community: they promote community by empowering people to eat well through healthy life giving recipes, teaching the skills of food production from their own farm and promoting health with education.

6. Price: their priority is to make organics accessible to all, delivering the highest quality organic produce at the best available price.

Organic Fix
Botanical Cuisine
Karma Chai
Natural Tucker Bakery
Township/suburb:
Eltham
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

Organic Fix is an organic grocery store with some healthy addons. It sells quality, wholesome food which has been produced ethically and sustainably. The aim is for it to be a one-stop shop for healthy food for all Elthamites. Their best sellers are nuts, lentils, chickpeas, fresh veggies, frozen berries, tofu and vegan cheese.

Many of the products are Certified Organic, including all of the vegetables and most of the fruit. Where not certified, the products are spray free. Packaging is kept to a minimum and there are lots of package-free dry goods.

In February 2022, Guy Palmer interviewed Sarah McCall, the owner of Organic Fix. Read his writeup of the interview.

Rivers of Yarrambat
Local brands sold:
Coldstream Brewery
Cunliffe & Waters
Township/suburb:
Yarrambat
Municipality:
Nillumbik
Notes (in their own words):

The Rivers of Yarrambat garden centre includes both a cafe and a farm shop.

The cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, morning and afternoon tea every day, 8.30am-4pm. Bookings are recommended.

The shop, which is co-located with the cafe, sells an extensive range of local products.

Smiths Gully General Store
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Smiths Gully
Municipality:
Nillumbik
That’s Amore Cheese
Products:
Italian-style soft curd cheeses, including mozzarella, caciotta, bocconcini, ricotta, smoked cheese and matured cheese
Local outlets:
Own shop.
Local outlets:
IGA Gervasi Thomastown
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Heidelberg
Leo’s Fine Food & Wine, Kew
Psarakos Market, Bundoora
Terra Madre, Northcote
Toscano’s Kew
Township/suburb:
Thomastown
Municipality:
Whittlesea
Notes (in their own words):

That’s Amore Cheese cheeses are made using cow or buffalo milk locally sourced in Victoria.

Giorgio Linguanti grew up in Italy and migrated to Australia in 2004. Without a word of English, he got a job in a cheese factory where his interest and passion for making cheese ignited. After his experience in two different cheese factories, Giorgio started his own business, That’s Amore Cheese, in 2008. He began with just one product – bocconcini leaf – but was soon also making burrata and smoked scarmorza. In 2010, That’s Amore Cheese took over Donnybrook’s cheese factory and, in 2015, they moved into a larger facility in Thomastown, which includes a retail outlet.

In their shop/deli, you can find their entire artisan cheese product range made daily in their factory right next door, along with high quality Italian cured meats, olives, local, other cheeses (local and imported), Italian products and fresh bread. You can get ricotta calda (hot ricotta) until 10 am every day. There is also a little cafe where you can enjoy coffee, porchetta, pasta, gnocchi, pizza and different kinds of hot dishes (or take away).

Turners Bakehouse Eatery
Products:
Sourdough bread, pies, cakes and pastries
Local outlets:
Own shop – 7 days a week
Township/suburb:
Mernda
Municipality:
Whittlesea
Notes (in their own words):

Turners Bakehouse Eatery is a historic bakery offering authentic sourdough breads, pies, cakes and pastries baked in its traditional wood fired Scotch oven that was built in the late 1890’s by Charles & Stephenson Turner. After being closed in the 1940’s and left vacant for many years, the bakery has been lovingly restored. Their signature hand-made sourdough is made with a mother culture of wild natural yeast that is over 100 years old and which is fed and cared for daily. Ask for a tour of the bakery.

Yarra Organics
Certified Organic
Local brands sold:
Township/suburb:
Templestowe
Municipality:
Manningham
Notes (in their own words):

Open Thursday to Saturday (no vegetables on Thursday). As well as a wide range of Certified Organic fruit and vegetables, Yarra Organics also sells grocery products, drinks, treats and dairy products. Everything sold is Certified Organic.

At their cafe, you can enjoy Jasper Organic & Fairtrade coffee and tea with organic milk and soy milk, gourmet pies, homemade delicious cakes, muffins and biscuits. Sit down and enjoy your coffee and treat while the kids play in the indoor play area or explore the outdoor playground. They cater for all dietary requirements with gluten free, egg free, dairy free, nut free, vegetarian and vegan options.

Yarra Valley Dairy
Products:
Soft style cheeses, both cow and goat
Local outlets:
Own shop
Croydon Brewery
IGA Yarra Glen
Jefferies, Croydon Hills
Lettuce Inn, Hurstbridge
Mitcham IGA X-press
Paul’s SUPA IGA, Ringwood East
Wandin Valley Produce
Local brands sold:
Asterisk Kitchen
City Larder
Cunliffe & Waters
Dench Bakery
Township/suburb:
Yering
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

Most of Yarra Valley Dairy’s cheeses are fresh, soft style cheeses made in a style that reflects the farmhouse cheese of France and Italy, although their mature cheeses have also become an important part of their range. The cheeses are made from cow’s milk from nearby Yarra Valley dairy farms and goat’s milk from Gippsland.

All of their cheeses are available for purchase in their Cheese Shop, alongside a range of carefully selected regional produce and local wines. Cheese plates, together with locally baked fresh breads and various regionally produced charcuterie items, are also available to purchase and eat in. The Cheese Shop is open 10.30am-5:00pm every day (except Christmas Day), and is located in a 100 year-old milking shed with beautiful views of the Yarra Valley. You can also view the making of the cheese through a viewing window.

Yarra Valley Gourmet Sausages
Products:
A wide range of gourmet sausages
Local outlets:
Own shop
Bundoora Park Farmers’ Market
Yarra Glen Racecourse Market
Township/suburb:
Mooroolbark
Municipality:
Yarra Ranges
Notes (in their own words):

More than 20 varieties of gourmet sausages made from beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and duck. All varieties are gluten free and low in fat, using only fresh, in-season herbs and vegetables, with all ingredients sourced locally where possible.