There’s something about the first warm days of spring that changes the way Adelaide eats.
Heavy winter dishes start disappearing from the weekly shop, grazing boards come back out, fresh fruit begins filling the fridge and suddenly everyone seems to be planning a picnic, barbecue or long afternoon around the table.
And at Unley Shopping Centre, the local food businesses are already noticing the seasonal switch.
For Culture Shock Provisions owner Michelle Thompson, who is marking one year since taking over the specialty deli, September brings one of the most noticeable changes in what customers are reaching for.
“As soon as the first of September hits, people get in the mood for entertaining,” Michelle says.
“There is this awesome electricity in the air, and you can literally feel the anticipation for blossoms, longer warmer days and entertaining friends.”
During winter, warming raclette is a favourite, but when spring arrives customers quickly begin gravitating towards fresh burrata and lighter cheeses.
Charcuterie also comes into its own, with Culture Shock seeing a significant jump in salami and prosciutto as shoppers build grazing boards, picnic hampers and platters for entertaining.
And then there are the baguettes.
Michelle says they can disappear almost as quickly as they hit the shelves on busy Saturdays, and pickles are a surprising spring favourite.
“I have just got the range from My Grandma Ben in the shop.”
Alongside new oils, preserves and fresh dairy, Michelle has continues expanding the collection of less familiar products since taking ownership.
“Saturdays are by far our busiest day, and definitely the most fun to work, everyone is in a good mood, customers and staff alike.
“People are shopping for grazing boards, baguettes and we sell so much cheese,” Michelle said.
That includes obscure Swiss cheeses, cheese wrapped in stinging nettles from Cornwall and even squid ink and truffle salami.
The more unusual products have proven particularly popular.
Michelle says shoppers are increasingly looking beyond products they can find everywhere else and are willing to experiment with unfamiliar flavours, smaller producers and foods with a story behind them.
The seasonal change can be seen across the stores that stock fresh produce in the Unley Shopping Centre.
At Tony & Mark’s, mangoes have already begun arriving in store, while berries are in season and the first stone fruits are beginning to appear. White and yellow peaches and nectarines are among the early arrivals, with plums and cherries set to follow as the weather continues to warm.
It creates an easy starting point for spring entertaining, fresh fruit for platters, berries for breakfasts and desserts, and stone fruit that can move just as easily from lunchboxes to salads and cheese boards.
The warmer weather is also influencing what people are putting on the barbecue.
At SA Quality Meats, lamb remains a spring favourite, with lamb rump roasts and boneless lamb shoulder among the popular choices as customers move towards meals suited to outdoor entertaining and sharing.
And no grazing table is quite complete without fresh bread.
Dulwich Bakery and Bakers Delight round out the centre’s fresh food offering, with breads and baguettes providing an easy accompaniment to everything from charcuterie and cheese to barbecue lunches.
The combination is particularly noticeable on Saturdays, traditionally one of the busiest fresh food shopping days at Unley Shopping Centre.
Rather than visiting one store for the entire weekly shop, customers can move between specialist retailers, bakeries, fresh produce stores, butchers and the centre’s supermarkets, picking up everything for a weekend lunch or last-minute gathering in one trip.
For Michelle, that growing interest in specialist food is one of the most exciting changes she has noticed.
Customers are increasingly searching for products they haven’t tried before, particularly those made by smaller producers or unavailable in mainstream stores.
It means spring at Unley Shopping Centre is not just bringing a change in weather.
“My customers are stepping away for the bigger brands and moving towards smaller producers who make their products with love.
“They want the stories behind the product, but also the people.”
Unley Shopping Centre
Where: 204 Unley Rd, Unley SA 5061
When: Monday – Friday 9am -9pm and Saturday – Sunday 9am-5pm
For more information, click here.
