This Week In The Market – 19 February 2019

– Chestnut Season approaching
– Market Charity golf day raffle tickets go on sale this week
– Focus on forklift safety

Market News

Not a member yet? Let us come to you

Retailers are loving the opportunity to have Samantha Hooper come and visit their store and explain the A Better Choice program in person, so much so, that 10 new members have jumped on board in the last few weeks.  So don’t delay, click here to book an appointment to find out what it’s all about.

Our back-to school promotion has been well received by customers­­­ in A Better Choice stores.
All stores need to return their completed entry forms to the Customer Service Centre this week and on Thursday 28th February we will award 10 lucky schools with an exclusive MarketFresh school incursion.

What’s coming up next for A Better Choice members – seasonal guides, produce storage tips to educate your customers, and a brand new promotion will all be launched soon. Call us to find out more 9258 6192.

Not a member yet? Click the link below to complete your application form.

Chestnut season is approaching

Chestnuts Australia have developed two new recipe flyers for retailers to assist with your fresh chestnut sales for the fast approaching 2019 season!

One recipe is for a delicious gluten free chestnut brownie and the other a spicy chestnut pumpkin soup.

The flyers can be picked up from the back of the historical truck on the Buyers’ Walk outside the Customer Service Centre, but hurry, stocks are limited.

Annual access card renewals

Later this week, Business Principals will receive a letter asking them to review all access card holders currently listed at their business.

The MMA ask that Business Principals inform us which card holders to renew, and which to remove, in the lead up to April’s Market-wide access card renewal.

It is important that you respond to this letter as soon as you receive it, to ensure you are not invoiced for card holders who are no longer in your employment.

Should you have any questions please visit the Customer Service Centre.

Forklift courses have commenced

The MMA have engaged our training partner, Melbourne Polytechnic, to deliver forklift licence training courses on-site at the Market for your convenience. The first class-intake started last week, and courses will run each week until April, to help ensure all Market forklift drivers are fully licenced.

Course Structure:
Participants have the option of either morning or evening classes with the course spread over four days. Each ‘class intake’ runs from Thursday to the following Wednesday with a total of 11.5 hours of training and assessment for each person.

Click here to download a flyer which outlines forklift training course dates and times.

For further information or to book a place on the course please contact the Melbourne Polytechnic Short Course Office on 03 9269 8615 or email: shortcourses@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Weekly Safety Focus

Hundreds of vehicles, including forklifts, trucks and electric vehicles, operate across the Market each day.
Last week we discussed some of the safety responsibilities of Forklift drivers, but remember, it is also the responsibility of pedestrians to watch for and avoid forklifts.  Don’t just rely on the forklift operator to see you.

To keep everyone safe and assist forklift operators, pedestrians should follow these rules when around forklifts:

1. Wear your safety vest at all times.
2. Never assume the forklift operator knows that you are there.
3. Make yourself known and establish eye contact with the forklift driver.
4. Keep a safe distance from the forklift and pay attention.
5. Watch out for the tail end swing when a lift truck turns.
6. Remember forklifts can turn in a very small radius.
7. Stay clear of forklifts loading and never walk under the raised forks.
8. Avoid shortcuts through traffic areas, use pedestrian paths.
9. Stop at corners and doorways and look both ways
10. If you need to approach a forklift driver, stay back from the forklift until the driver sees you and stops.

And if our top 10 rules aren’t enough to make sure you stay safe around forklifts, check out the worst forklift fails from YouTube that are sure to make you wince.

Market Charity Golf Day

Raffle tickets go on sale this Thursday!
Raffle tickets will soon arrive at the Market so make sure you purchase a ticket for your chance to win big!
The golf day raffle is not only open to those attending on the day, but to everyone in the Market, and with a prize pool valued at over $40,000 you’d be mad not to be in the draw!
This year there are some amazing prizes on offer, like a brand new car, seats in the MCC corporate box, a $1500 travel voucher and so much more.
You can purchase tickets from the Customer Service Centre, Fresh State office and on Thursday a representative from DEBRA Australia will be walking around the Market to talk to you about the great work they do and to sell raffle tickets.

There’s still time to register your golf team, but hurry, spots are filling fast. To download a registration form, or for more information visit the Fresh State website or contact kate@freshstate.com.au.

Industry News

How Northern Territory mangoes went from luxury item to household staple

Over the summer the Market has been filled with the sweet aroma of mangoes. This season, 10 million trays were packed from Queensland, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and sent to markets in southern Australia or exported overseas.
Not long ago, the same fruit was considered a luxury.
So how have mangoes gone from a luxury to a summer essential?
Click here to read more on ABC News.

Key Dates

Monday 11 March – Labour Day Public Holiday – Market closed

Ask the MMA

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