If freshness had a scent, it would likely come close to that of One Little Farm in East Bundaberg. Tucked away in a little shopping complex on Bargara Road, beautiful bottles and jars line the walls with artisan spreads, oils, vinegars, preserves and more. The smell of fresh flowers being carefully arranged in the back corner mixes with the fresh fruits and vegetables for sale.
Tables and chairs are now spaced throughout this greengrocer-meets-florist-meets-café, with a cabinet full of hand-made salads, light meals and treats on offer to go with a coffee or fresh fruit smoothie.
It’s hard not to imagine our grandparents shopping in a store like this, browsing the seasonal produce that has just been brought in from the farm. Only now you can sit and enjoy a light meal made from the beautiful ingredients that surround you. It’s something owners and farmers Kate and Anthony Rehbein always envisioned for One Little Farm.
“We’ve got more than 40 local farmers that supply us throughout the year. We are fortunate we can go to the farms and buy directly from them what is fresh and in season. We sit at their kitchen tables and talk to them about the quality and price,” Anthony said.
“We have a close affinity with our farmers. When we say we serve up local food, we are not talking about one part of a dish, but multiple. When you come here it is like eating at our kitchen table, it’s something really authentic.”
As the weather warms up, alongside savoury muffins, quiches and frittata, the salads at One Little Farm are something special, bursting with pops of flavour from across the district.
“Our salads are really tasty and enjoyable – they are not simple salads, they are something completely different that you wouldn’t normally see, and it is grown from the heart. We also mix in our micro herbs that we grow on our own farm.”
One Little Farm is open 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday (morning tea and lunch served until 3.30pm) and 7am to 1pm on Saturday. The light meals are available to take away, but are elevated with the rustic ambiance of dining in.