This week we want to introduce you to Maria — co-owner of Western Growers Fresh and honestly one of those people who makes everything look effortless even when it absolutely isn`t.

Maria is a huge part of why this shop runs as well as it does. Working behind the scenes and solving problems that we didn`t even know existed and still finding time to have a proper chat with anyone who comes in the shop. She`s organised in a way the rest of us can only aspire to, she genuinely cares about every single person who walks through the door, and if there`s something you`ve been after that we don`t currently stock — tell her. She will find a way to get it in. That`s not a marketing line, that`s just who she is.

She also makes a mean flat white that has ruined several of us for coffee anywhere else. Consider yourself warned.

If you haven`t met her yet, come in and say hello. She`ll probably remember your order before you`ve even finished saying it.

Right, we`re trying something new today.

It`s called

Ask Jason

and it`s exactly what it sounds like.

If you`ve got a question about fruit and veg — what`s actually in season, how to pick a good avocado, why your bananas keep going brown too fast, whatever it is — drop it in the comments. Jason will be answering them and honestly, he`s been waiting his whole life for this moment.

Fair warning, he does know an alarming amount.

Ask away.

Okay, slightly biased but we`re genuinely excited about this one.

We`ve just started stocking Bono`s Valle del Belice DOP extra virgin olive oil. Made in Sicily, by a family producer who`s been at this since 1934. The DOP bit means it`s protected by law to come from one specific region, so when a bottle says that, you know exactly what you`re getting and exactly how good it`s going to be.

We`re fairly confident we`re the only ones in Busselton with it on the shelf right now.

Come and have a look, or find Jason if you want the full rundown — he`s already got opinions on it. Your sourdough is about to get a serious upgrade.

Right, we need to talk about this antipasto platter because it`s honestly a bit ridiculous.

We`ve put one together with proper local cheeses, cured meats, olives and crackers — the kind of platter that makes you look like you`ve got your life together when really you just walked into our shop and pointed at things. And we want to give it to one of you.

Here`s the deal —
Like the page,
Comment below and tag the friend you`d actually want to share this with. Or don`t tag them and keep it all to yourself, we won`t tell anyone.

Winner gets picked on Monday 6th July and we`ll announce it right here
.
Go on then.

Get tagging.

Right, this week we`re introducing you to Jason — and honestly, this one`s been a long time coming.

Jason knows fruit and veg better than anyone we`ve ever met, and he will tell you this himself if given even the slightest opening. Ask him where something`s from, when it came in or how to cook it and you`ll get a confident, detailed answer whether you wanted the full story or not. Usually you do. Sometimes you just wanted to know if the avocados were ripe.

He also seems to possess some kind of sixth sense for everything happening on the shop floor. We genuinely don`t know how. If you`ve ever tried to sneak a grape while wandering through the shop, Jason already knew about it before you did.

If you haven`t met him yet, come find him near the produce section. He`ll be there. He`s always there. We think he might actually live there.

Right, the big one is on this weekend. Australia v USA at the World Cup and we want to know where Busselton stands.

We`ve got fresh delivery coming in Friday afternoon so if you`re planning a match day spread, perfect timing to come in and grab everything you need. We`re talking pizzas, corn chips, veg sticks, hummus — we`ve got the couch covered basically.

But first, the important question —
Who are you backing this weekend?
🇦🇺 Australia — Go Socceroos!!!!!!
🇺🇸 USA

Drop your vote in the comments and tell us what your ultimate match day snack is. We need to know who`s eating properly and who`s just turning up with a bag of plain crackers. 😄

Sarah x