Two Samford Village businesses are set to go head-to-head in a quest to be crowned the best independent greengrocer in the region.

Samford Fresh and Samford Village Greens are both peachy keen to squash their opposition and take out the title of Retailer of the Year as part of Brisbane Markets’ Fresh Tastes program.

The businesses are two of 30 fruit and vegetable traders from around southeast Queensland shortlisted as finalists in the annual competition.

The greengrocers, who have been competing for the award over the past 10 months, are evaluated on customer service, product knowledge, shop appearance, merchandising and the quality of their produce.

Samford Fresh, named Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Month in December, has been shortlisted for the overall award for the fourth straight year.

“It’s okay to be fine sometimes but to be consistently in the top 30 and Retailer of the Month in December … it shows the business has been consistently among the very best,” owner Nev Munro said.

On two Samford stores nominated for the award, Mr Munro noted: “I don’t think there’s two shops in such close proximity in the top 30, and this is a small area.

“I don’t think the people of Samford realise how lucky they are to have two of the very best in their area,” he said.

“So many of them shop out of the Valley thinking that they need to go out of the Valley, when in fact they’ve got the very best right on their doorstep.”

Up the road at Samford Village Greens, owner John Stamatiou said the award nod “gives you a bit of a lift, makes you realise you’re doing all right, keeping up the good standard”.

Mr Stamatiou said local shoppers demanded quality.

“We like to keep high standards up here – they (the customers) like their quality at the right price,” he said.

While the quest to be the best of the fresh will go pear-shaped for many of the retailers, Mr Munro said he would have no sour grapes if judges favoured his local rival.

“To be honest with you, getting in the top 30 is my gold medal,” he said.

“Winning it would be the icing on the cake but the main thing is that year after year we’re still being recognised as being one of the best.”

Visits by mystery shoppers to the stores in the coming weeks will help separate the sublime greengrocers from the lemons.

Brisbane Markets Communications Manager Ann-Marie Johansen said the standard of competition in the Fresh Tastes program was getting higher every year.

“These greengrocers are proud to offer their customers the right advice and the very best in seasonal produce, and that is why they are being recognised as the best in our region,” Ms Johansen said.

The Retailer of the Year will be announced at the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner at the Brisbane Convention Centre on 26 February.