This Week In The Market – 3 September 2019

– Special Father’s Day for first-time dads
– White Asparagus auction another success
– Our safety video inspired by a recent serious incident

Market News

Special Father’s Day for first-time dads

We hope all our Market Dad’s had an enjoyable and relaxing Father’s Day on Sunday. It was an extra special day for two of our Market Wholesalers who recently became first-time dads. Haydn Judge from Barkers Melbourne welcomed a daughter, Stevie, eight weeks ago; and three weeks ago Thanh Truong from Aus Asia Produce welcomed a son, Oliver.
While fatherhood is all new territory for Haydn and Thanh, they might be able to get some tips from MRO Sam, who recently became a dad for the fourth time after the birth of his son, Ahmad.
Congratulations Thanh, Haydn and Sam and Happy Father’s Day to all our Market Dads!

White Asparagus Auction

The Fresh Grower’s annual White Asparagus Auction has again proved a success with the first box of the season selling for an amazing $44,500.
The 5 am breakfast event was well attended by the Market community, and with multiple bidders, the price quickly rose.
The winning bidder was Chris Ramirez, Fresh Grower’s Mexican asparagus supplier, who had come from the United States.
In the lead up to the auction, the team at Fresh Growers organised various activities to raise money for the Epilepsy Foundation, including the ‘eat or donate challenge’, an AFL Grand Final raffle, and beanie sales. Combined with the result of the White Asparagus Auction, Fresh Growers raised a total of $170,000. What an amazing achievement!
Mick Motta has expressed his heartfelt thanks to the entire Market Community for supporting the event and in turn, the Epilepsy Foundation, a cause close to his heart.

Weekly words of wisdom

Upcoming Advisory Committee Meetings

You’ve had the chance to hear from all of our advisory committee members over the past months in our Market profiles, and next week, the groups will each be coming together for a regular quarterly meeting.
Speaking to your advisory committee members is an effective way you can raise key issues with the MMA.
To find out who your advisory committee members click here, and talk to them about the Market issues that affect you before the next meetings.

A guide to the best foods to eat when you’re sick

The A Better Choice website has a range of great articles available for consumers. The articles can also be a great source of content for retailers and members of the produce industry to share on their own websites or social media channels.
With winter colds still making the rounds, A Better Choice has some great tips on foods to eat while you’re sick – and of course you’ll find them all at your local greengrocer.

Jump on the A Better Choice website today and start sharing and using the content to your own pages.

AFL Grand Final public holiday

Looking forward to the upcoming long weekend?
The Market will be closed on Friday 27 September for the AFL Grand Final eve public holiday.
If your parking permit only allows access on a day that falls on a public holiday, and you would like to come to the Market on an alternative adjacent day, you will not be charged for parking and can enter the Market. However, your regular bay may not be available. Please see a Market Relations Officer on arrival for instruction.
Will your team be celebrating on the last Saturday in September? Check out the road to grand final success in the AFL’s finals predictor tool.

Melbourne Market is a drug and alcohol-free worksite

The MMA is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all Market users. When individuals are affected by drugs or alcohol, it impairs their judgement, and this is why, like many other industrial worksites around the country, the Melbourne Market is a drug and alcohol-free worksite.

This means, any person on Market Land must not have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over 0.00%, or be under the influence of prohibited drugs at any time.

Our drug and alcohol policy is in place to ensure the safety of all Market users.

Industry News

Kaufland announces plans to open at least 20 stores in Australia

German supermarket powerhouse Kaufland has finally revealed details of its aggressive expansion plans for Australia.
The international retailer’s move into the local market has been quietly ticking away for months, but this week it confirmed it had lodged paperwork for nine sites in Victoria and had been given the approval to go ahead with stores in Oakleigh South, in the city’s south-east, and Coolaroo, in Melbourne’s north.

Read more on news.com.au

Kyoho grapes arrive in Australia

Australian consumers now have access to some of Asia’s most premium fruit, with the first shipment of Kyoho grapes from South Korea landing in Melbourne.

Their arrival comes with great excitement for Thanh Truong, director of Aus Asia Produce. The company has been working for three years to organise suppliers and prepare for the protocol, which was approved on 30 January 2019.
Read more on the Produce Plus website.

Key Dates

• Advisory Committee Meetings – Tuesday 10 and Wednesday 11 September
• Grand Final Public Holiday – Friday 27 September

Ask the MMA

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