MINCHINBURY Fruit Market has been a local institution on the Great Western Highway for over 60 years, with three generations of the Gauci family working tirelessly to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to residents of western Sydney and beyond. It has just been named the ‘NSW 2026 Retailer of the Year – People’s Choice Award’ winner with 3,943 votes, ahead of Trims Fresh Merrylands on 3,840. This is the second consecutive year Minchinbury Fruit Market has won the coveted award.

“This year’s close competition and high number of customer votes is a testament to the outstanding service and exceptional fresh produce provided by independent, local fruit and vegetable stores around Australia,” said Nina Torkman, ‘A better choice!’ National Program Manager.

“We had more than 63,541 votes from customers this year, which is triple last year’s votes. It’s fantastic to see so many customers supporting their local fruit and vegetable store by voting and shopping locally.”

Minchinbury Fruit Market co-manager Craig Gauci said “We have been owned by the same family for 66 years, in the same spot (on the Great Western Highway). Small business isn’t easy nowadays, so we need locals to continue to help support small business.”

The Gauci family has been in Australia since 1949, when Sam Gauci arrived from Malta. What started out as a modest vegetable farm and roadside stall has now grown into one of the largest fruit and vegetable retailing businesses in Sydney. The family also introduced a fresh cut Delicatessen, offering freshly-cooked bread, cheeses, custom-made paninis to order and continental cakes.

This long-standing fresh produce business is still a family concern, now operated by Susanne, Craig, Victor and Kylie, who are all third-generation Gauci family operators.

The walls of the store are adorned with a mural of historic family photos, which chronicle the Gauci family’s history, from market gardeners to award-winning retailers.

2026 A Better Choice Retailer of the Year – 1st in NSW, 2nd in Australia,

2025 A Better Choice Retailer of the Year – 1st in NSW.

2025 Local Business Awards – Winner Fresh Food, Mt Druitt / St Marys

Sydney Markets – 2011 / 2012 Greengrocer of the Year

Sydney Markets – Greengrocer of the Month July 2013, June 2011, June 2008, February 2007.

Sydney Markets – Distinction in Retailing Award 2012. 2010, 2009, 2006.

Australian Mushroom Growers Association – Mushroom Retailer of the Year 2011, 2010, 2008.

Sydney Morning Herald, the Foodies Guide to Sydney – Award for Excellence in Greengrocers 2009

The Gauci family was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Kerrie Davies.

If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com