The Sourced Grocer in Florence Street Teneriffe is an inner city oasis of seasonal food and good eating. Opened by owner Jerome Batten in June 2011, the grocery and cafe quickly became central to the life of many locals. There are many ways to approach the Sourced Grocer. For regulars, the cafe is the first stop of the morning, where after ordering at the counter, you can squeeze in at the communal table or find a spot out the front or on the stairs. The cafe is set up to assemble a range of fresh meals but it is not a full kitchen.
The Sourced Grocer specialises in fresh, quality produce and this flow through to the food prepared. For breakfast there is a choice of Farmer Jo’s muesli ($11), a breakfast trifle, Chouquette croissants or my favourite, the smashed avocado on Levain sourdough with labne ($11). For lunch, choose from a couple of healthy sounding salads made with freekah and quinoa, upmarket sandwiches ($12.50) full of Bangalow ham and mixed leaves as well as handmade falafel with a Moroccan dip, piles of baby spinach and cherry tomatoes ($12.50). Service can be slow on the weekends when the crowd builds before the doors are open, so if you are the impatient type, get down there early or go during the week.
After eating, it is time to cruise the shelves and see what has come in. Sourced Grocer Manager Willow Humphreys said they source as much produce from southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales as possible. This means there is a range of high quality meat including Bendale Farm organic chickens, Bangalow pork and Eumundi Smokehouse sausages. A whole fridge is taken up with Gundowring ice cream, which may seem a little excessive until you get your own flavour addiction going. Willow swears by the lemon curd.
- Willow Humphreys
The deli range has really grown over the past 12 months. Like a middle eastern bazaar, shelves heave with grains, spices, nuts, artisan pasta, oils, jams, exotic chocolate, dried figs and persimmons. Boxes of locally sourced produce take up the back part of the shop and to the right is the cold room with more fresh produce, cheese and dips.
Willow believed the Sourced Grocer has attracted so many regular customers through consistency and keeping the produce interesting. “There are people who only shop here”, she said. “As I say to the staff, work with love in your heart”. The team at the Sourced Grocer are young, friendly and professional. After you turn up a couple of times they are pretty good at remembering your name, which all adds to the sincerity of the experience at the Sourced Grocer.
Sourced Grocer
11 Florence Street, Teneriffe Q 3006
07 3852 6734
Hours
Mon to Thurs 7am to 8pm
Fri 7am to 7pm
Sat 7am to 5pm
Sun 8am to 4pm
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