MELBOURNE'S Queen Victoria market has been named best for organic fruit and vegetables.
The market, one of Melbourne's leading tourist destinations, was recognised with the honour at last month's National Organic Week Consumer Choice Awards.
For the first time the award was decided by a popular vote on social networking website Facebook.
Award organiser and Centre for Organic Resources Enterprise chairman Eric Love said a popular vote was introduced because it was important customers - who drove sales - had their say.
Eric said the awards, in their fourth year, were designed to showcase the best organic traders, including retail and online.
"(The) awards are about stimulating demand for organic food and to give farmers confidence the market is a sustainable one," Eric said.
Garden Organic stallholder Karen Birthisel said the award was a vindication of the market's friendly community feel.
Karen, from Yarrawonga, threw in her job in administration nine years ago to buy the business.
She said hers was one of four organic stalls at the market.
"We are quite large retailers so we turn over a lot of produce, which means the produce is fresh and at a good price," Karen said.
She said all organic stallholders were knowledgeable about their produce, adding she always tasted hers so she could advise her customers.
"You have to use the produce, I cook every night so I know if the carrots are nice and sweet and you know which are the best tomatoes and peaches."
