I first went to Pakenham Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Market because there was a sign outside advertising fresh local produce. So I thought it would be a good idea to buy our fruit and veg from them instead of the normal big supermarket chains (ie. Coles or Safeway). I thought because it was local produce it would be a lot fresher than the fruit and veg at the supermarket, but I was wrong.
I was quite disappointed to find that their fruit and veg isn't overly fresh, and doesn't appear any fresher than that at the big supermarkets. I found the corn and carrots especially went off very quickly, and their potatoes weren't fantastic either. Sometimes their fruit and veg is lovely, and sometimes it isn't. The quality is very similar to that of the big supermarkets, so I was quite disappointed.
The prices are also very similar to that of the big supermarkets, which also disappointed me. I was hoping it would be cheaper than the big supermarkets.
I still shop at Pakenham Fruit & Vegetable Market if I'm in a hurry and don't have time to go to the supermarket, but I look closely at the stock first.
It's a real shame because it would've been really nice to find a shop that stocks FRESH local produce.
The staff are friendly, and there is always parking available on site, and you rarely have to wait in line at the register, so if you're in a hurry it's a good place to shop.