This Week in the Market – edition 185 – 26 June 2018

• Don’t forget to register your kids for Children in the Market
• We ask Anthony Pignataro our Fresh Five questions
• Funding available for women’s leadership scholarships

Market News

Market trading hours

Market trading hours are back up for discussion and a consultation process is currently underway. Last week all business principals received a survey link via email so that each Market related business can have a say on trading hours. Market trading hours is an issue that can often divide the Market Community and there are a lot of factors to consider. Have you thought about Market trading hours from different perspectives?  What’s in the best interest of the Market community as a whole? Perhaps consider…
What trading hours will attract a critical mass of buyers?
How do trading hours affect travel times and traffic congestion?
How do we attract young and talented people to the industry?
What trading hours would ensure an efficient supply chain that meets consumer demand?

Children in the Market

During the upcoming school holidays, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your children to spend a day at the Market with you on either, Tuesday 3 July and/or Wednesday 4 July. Bringing your children to the Market is a great experience but their safety is our top priority. Please ensure you follow the below guidelines to ensure your children have a fun and safe experience.

• Your work must be suitable to have a child with you at all times. E.g. if you travel on a forklift in the Market, it would not be suitable to bring a child to the Market as they must not ride on a forklift at any time and must remain in your care at all times.
• You must have submitted your registration form to the Customer Service Centre by the closing date.
• You must have a copy of your registration form on you at all times and present to a Market Relations Officer on request.
• Your child/children must be wearing their visitor pass at all times.
• You and your child/children must be wearing high visibility clothing.
• You and your child/children must be wearing enclosed footwear.
• You must enter via Gate 1.

Registrations will close on Monday 2 July and are limited to the first 100 registered children.
Download the registration from here, then complete and return to the Customer Service Centre as soon as possible.
Contact the MMA on 9258 6100 for more information.

The Fresh Five

This week we talk to Anthony Pignataro.
1. Your role at the Melbourne Market: I work for Glow Fresh, we buy and sell fruit and veg here at the Market, basically we’re an agent.
2. If you could only take three fruits or vegetables with you to a desert island, which would you take: I’m around fruits and vegetables all day, I’m sick of them, so I’d rather take some other type of food! I suppose if I had to choose, I’d take Watermelon, it would quench your thirst; potatoes for carbohydrates, and tomatoes because of my Italian heritage.
3. When was the last time you bought flowers for someone: I bought my Mum a bunch of flowers for Mother’s Day, I got her a whole bucket of flowers actually, Mum loved them.
4. Tell us something that is on your ‘bucket list’: I’d like to make a lot of money and travel. I don’t travel as much as I’d like to, I’m always here working at the Market!
5. What do you most enjoy about working at the Melbourne Market: It’s great, I’d describe it like high school but with adults. A bunch of guys laughing, joking around and being rowdy. Everyone knows each other and we’re all mates.

Industry News

Funding for women’s leadership development

A range of scholarship grants are now available for women in the horticultural industry. The scholarship grants are co-funded by Hort Innovation and Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) and aim to provide powerful and effective development opportunities for women who are emerging leaders or have mid-level management and leadership experience in the horticultural industry.
For more information click here.

Victorians clean up at awards gala

Australia’s leading vegetable growers and industry members have been recognised at the Hort Connections 2018 Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner. Around 1,300 attendees from every sector of Australian horticulture celebrated the great work done by representatives from every part of our industry.
Victorian’s cleaned up at the Gala, taking out four of the ten awards.

• Chris McLoghlin, The Organic Mushroom Farm, Vic – Young Grower of the Year
• East Gippsland Innovation Days, Vic – Community Stewardship
• Jessica Page, Vic – Researcher of the Year
• Danyang Ying, CSRIO, Vic – Industry Impact

Visit the AUSVEG website to read more and see the full list of national winners.

Meet your new neighbours

3 Point Motors Epping is Melbourne’s freshest Mercedes-Benz dealership, located across the road from the Melbourne Market at 380 Cooper Street, Epping. The time is ripe to visit our new showroom, with unheard of End of Financial Year Opportunities.
We’re all ears until June 30, with unprecedented pricing on a range of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars, SUVs and light commercial vehicles. This includes GLA from $50,860* drive away, GLC from $75,860* drive away and GLE from $97,860* drive away.
We also have an extensive range of pre-owned vehicles, including over 40 Mercedes-Benz Certified Pre-Owned vehicles. These are the pick of the bunch, with a factory-backed warranty of up to 2 years, roadside assist and a full service history and inspection.
Visit 3 Point Motors Epping from Monday to Saturday to experience neighbourly hospitality to all Melbourne Market traders.
Go to mb3point.com.au or call New Vehicle Sales Manager, Jake Smith on 0409 232 903 or Pre-Owned Sales Manager Rodney Adams on 0459 526 936.

Upcoming Dates

Ask the MMA

If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to submissions@melbournemarket.com.au.