Fruit & Veg
Fresh Market Update
Get the latest supply updates on fresh fruit and vegetables
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The simplest way to tell fruit and veg apart is to look at how they grow. Fruit develops from the flower of a plant and contains seeds. Vegetables are any other edible part of the plant, such as the roots, leaves or stems.
However, in the kitchen we usually classify them by flavour:
- Fruits: Typically sweet or tart. They are perfect for snacking, desserts or adding to your morning fruit salad.
- Vegetables: Usually savoury. These are the stars of your stir-fries, roasts and fresh salads.
But did you know that tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados and capsicums are botanically fruits? Because they aren't sweet, we categorise them as vegetables to make it easier for you to find what you need for your favourite dinner recipes.
Part of plant - Flower (with seeds), Common Examples - Fruit, Classification - Apples, Oranges, Berries, Stone fruit, Bananas
Part of plant - Root, Common Examples - Vegetable, Classification - Carrots, Onions, Beetroot, Potatoes
Part of plant - Leaf, Common Examples - Vegetable, Classification - Spinach, Lettuce, Cabbage
Part of plant - Stem, Common Examples - Vegetable, Classification - Asparagus, Celery
Seasonal produce refers to fruit and vegetables harvested during their natural Australian growing season. Choosing produce in season ensures you get the best of the harvest at the peak of its flavour and usually at a better price, too.
Key benefits of shopping seasonal produce:
- Better value: High supply during peak season often leads to lower prices.
- Maximum freshness: Seasonal fruit and veg spend less time in storage, arriving in-store sooner after being picked.
- Supporting local: It’s a simple way to support Australian farmers and reduce the distance food travels from farm to plate.
At Woolworths, we work closely with growers nationwide to bring you a wide range of seasonal picks all year round.
In Australia, our seasons dictate what’s freshest on the shelf. While availability can vary by state, here is a general guide:
- Autumn and winter vegetables: This is the time for comfort veg like potatoes, sweet potatoes and carrots, along with broccoli, cauliflower, and leafy kale.
- Spring and summer vegetables: Look for vibrant salad essentials like cucumbers, tomatoes, capsicums, zucchini and crunchy asparagus.
To see exactly what’s in season at your local store this week, you can check our autumn food guide and Fresh Market Update.
To keep your fruits and vegetables lasting longer and to reduce food waste, where you store your produce matters:
- Fridge: Most leafy greens, berries, and cruciferous veg (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprout) love the humidity of the fridge crisper drawer.
- Pantry: Keep potatoes and onions in a cool, dark place — just keep them apart, as onions can actually cause potatoes to sprout faster.
- Benchtop: Tomatoes, bananas and stone fruit actually lose their flavour if they get too cold, so keep these on the counter until they are perfectly ripe.
For more handy storage hacks, explore our guide to reducing food waste.
At Woolworths, we take pride in picking the freshest groceries for your online order. Under our Fresh or free guarantee if a fresh product fails to meet our quality standards, such as arriving spoiled, damaged, or expired you are entitled to a replacement, account credit, or refund.
How it works:
Quality or freshness issues with fruit, veg, meat, seafood, chilled, frozen, or bakery items should be reported within 48 hours of delivery or pickup where possible. Contact us via Olive, your personal shopping companion. For full details of the policy click here for our returns policy.