She's apples, Norm

That was before supermarkets sold fresh produce, not quite up to Norm's lofty standards, alongside their everyday items.

Many have fallen, but Quin's Bluebird has stood the test of time and was named this week among the top 10 greengrocers in the state.Norm began working at the greengrocers as a 15-year-old, in October, 1949.

He was assigned the role of riding his bike, complete with a large basket on the front, around the city making deliveries for his father, Stan.

Three years later he was working full-time in the store.

His family owned two fresh produce stores in Bendigo and the Mitchell Street premises, which is in the same location more than half a century on, was open six days a week.

As a youngster, he saw the benefits of looking after the most important asset a business has.

''My dad was very hard on us to do the right thing by the customer. He had the upmost respect for the customer," Norm said.

‘‘There were no supermarkets in those days and there was about 15 fruit and vegie shops around the main block of the CBD and there was genuine competition - if you bought well, you had to try outsmart your competitor."The introduction of supermarkets has had minimal impact on his business philosophy.

‘‘These days, I don't worry about supermarkets, I buy the best quality there is and we try to give service.

‘‘I worry about whether the customer is being looked after properly.

He said the mistake a lot of people have made in the industry is keeping things cheap and taking on the supermarkets.

‘‘I've seen people, big operators, lose millions of dollars buying the cheaper stuff. It's not the way to do it." At 71, Norm shows little sign of letting up.

He works from 6.30 am during winter and half an hour earlier when the weather is nicer.

He takes seven days annual leave a year and estimates an average working week consists of 70 hours.

Norm worries what he would do with his spare time.

‘‘I like my garden (where a vegie patch is the farthest thing from his mind), I spend a bit of time in there," he said.

When, or if he retires, Norm will look back fondly on the bonds he has forged with customers.

‘‘People come in who have been around Australia and around the world, and they say this is the best produce we can get.

‘‘That's what makes it worthwhile, it means a lot to hear that from people." A listing in The Age Good Food Guide has been welcomed.

Quin's Bluebird Greengrocers has been highlighted as one of the top 10 greengrocers in the state.