How can I reduce food costs in my business?

Smart sourcing is the key. By finding the right produce for the right job — whether that’s premium fruit for presentation or affordable seconds for prep — you can balance quality, cost, and kitchen efficiency. If you're roasting, blending, smashing or slicing, no one knows the difference — but your margins will.

Do second-grade fruits and vegetables taste as good?

Sometimes, yes. Not all wholesale fruit and veg is created equal — and the same goes for seconds. Twisted cucumbers or small avocados can taste just as good and often fly under the radar in busy kitchens. But not all seconds are created equal: substandard flavour or texture can make them a false economy.

Can second-grade fruit and veg save money in my kitchen?

They can — but only if you're selective. Poor-quality produce can lead to increased labour costs from trimming and waste. The goal is balance: use seconds where they work (like purees, soups or sauces), but don't compromise where presentation or flavour matters.

How can I reduce my menu costs?

Start with buying seasonal produce. Local, in-season fruit and vegetables are fresher, taste better, and offer better value. They also hold better in storage and on the plate — which reduces spoilage and helps you control food costs across your menu.

What is smart sourcing for wholesale fruit and vegetables?

Smart sourcing means choosing produce that balances flavour, cost, prep time, and presentation. It’s not just about price — it’s about picking the right product for the job, whether that’s seconds, in-season picks, or high-grade items that elevate your menu.

How can I reduce labour and food costs at the same time?

By using pre-prepared or processed fruit and vegetables, you can save on both labour and food waste. Products like peeled potatoes and sliced onions reduce prep time and kitchen labour while also improving consistency and shelf life — giving you more control over costs.

Do you offer processed fruit and vegetables like peeled potatoes or sliced onions?

Yes — Virgona Provedoring offers a wide range of freshly prepared, HACCP-certified processed produce including peeled potatoes, sliced onions, carrot batons, coleslaw mix and more. Prepared in-house to order, our range helps reduce prep time, kitchen waste, and labour costs without compromising on quality.

Smart Buying Starts with Smart Sourcing.

Virgona will source the right produce for your needs.

How Smart Buying Helps You Get Better Wholesale Fruit and Vegetables in Melbourne

In a perfect world, every kitchen would use only the best-looking, top-grade produce. But that’s not the commercial reality for most food businesses.

At Virgona Provedoring, we know that not all wholesale fruit and vegetables are created equal. Smart buying is about more than just price — it’s about choosing produce that saves you time, reduces waste, and improves outcomes in your kitchen.

When chefs and foodservice operators across Melbourne choose Virgona, they’re tapping into decades of market expertise and deep relationships at the Melbourne Wholesale Market. We help our customers strike the right balance between price, prep time, shelf life, and visual appeal — without compromising on flavour or yield.

Sometimes, chasing the cheapest option becomes a false economy. Once you’ve trimmed, peeled or binned poor-quality stock, the labour cost can outweigh the savings. That’s where we help you strike the balance.

There’s often a sweet spot: visually imperfect seconds — like twisted cucumbers, smaller avocados or off-size capsicums — that taste just as good, sometimes even better.

If you’re roasting, blending, smashing or slicing, no one knows the difference — but your margins will.

Whether you're ordering whole produce, pre-prepped vegetables or seasonal fruit, our sourcing team helps you avoid costly mistakes, like buying produce that spoils quickly or requires heavy labour. That’s why we’re trusted by venues across Melbourne, Williamstown, Werribee and the Mornington Peninsula for wholesale fruit and veg that delivers consistency, quality and value.

Navigating seasonal produce can be tricky, but Virgona is here to help.

Our expert team can guide you on the best fruits and vegetables to buy year-round, helping you save money and keep your menu fresh.

Check out our seasonal produce guide to help you plan your next menu

What to Look for When Buying Wholesale Fruit and Veg

Not all seconds are created equal — and not all “premium” produce is worth the price tag. Smart buyers consider things like:

Labour cost per kilo (how long it takes to prep and trim)
Shelf life and spoilage risk
Quality of supply chain (cold chain, transport, packaging)
Seasonal availability and price fluctuations

At Virgona, we help you weigh these variables to make the best buying decision for your kitchen — whether you're running a high-volume pub, an aged care facility or a fine-dining venue.

Smart Menus Start with Seasonal Produce.

Want to Cook Smarter? Start with What’s In Season.

Whether you're a fine dining chef, pumping out pub classics, slinging sandwiches or a nutritional dietitian in healthcare, choosing seasonal Australian produce — and better yet, Victorian-grown fruit and vegetables — means better flavour, better pricing, and better outcomes for your kitchen and your clientele.

Peak-season produce delivers superior taste, longer shelf life, and more nutritional value — while also reducing food miles and supporting local growers.

We created this comprehensive guide to help everyone in the food industry make better more informed decisions when planning menus.

Planning a menu and need a more in-depth view of availability? Take a look at our in-depth produce calendars below

Apples & Pears

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Citrus

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Berries

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Stone Fruit

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Melons

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