This Week in the Market – 8 December 2020
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| In this week’s Market News: – Cooking demonstration to celebrate A better choice! – Tell us what you think in the market survey – Easing of COVID restrictions in the market Market News  Cooking demonstration to celebrate A better choice! The A better choice! team is “cooking up” something special to celebrate the program this Thursday in the market! It’s been a tough year and the MMA and Fresh State, who jointly run the A better choice program in Victoria, wanted to thank the Melbourne Market community for their support with something a little bit different. This Thursday from 4:00 am, the Market’s own celebrity chef, Thanh Troung will be cooking one of the famous dishes he whipped up on Channel 7’s Plate of Origin for everyone to enjoy. Thanh will be preparing a fresh and tasty Vietnamese water spinach stir-fry, which will be available in individual serves for market users to pick-up and take away with them. There will also be some delicious individual serves of fruit salad available, and coffee vouchers to use at market cafes, showcasing true market flavours. The cooking demonstration, which will take place by the history wall near the customer service centre, is sure to be fun to watch with Thanh putting his cooking skills on display. While market users won’t be able to congregate to watch the cooking demonstration due to COVID restrictions, no one will miss out on the action. Tune into the MMA’s and Fresh State’s social media channels where we’ll be broadcasting live at various times throughout the morning. Click on the links below to follow our social channels now, so you don’t miss a thing. A better choice, Fresh State and the MMA would like to once again thank the market community for their support of the program in 2020, and we look forward to bringing you even bigger and better things in 2021. Melbourne Market Facebook Melbourne Market Instagram Fresh State Facebook Fresh State Instagram A Better Choice feedback Do you have feedback or questions about the A Better Choice program? We’d love to hear from you, send an email to abetterchoice@melbournemarket.com.au. Easing of COVID restrictions at the market Following Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcements on Sunday, some of the Melbourne Market’s COVID rules have been eased to reflect current Victorian restrictions. Face masks In line with current Victorian rules, masks will still be required to be worn inside the market, which includes on the trading floor, Buyers’ Walk, flower market, stores, commercial tenancies, customer service centre and security office. However; while the government still recommends masks, they will no longer be mandatory in other settings, so long as you can maintain social distancing. At the Melbourne Market, masks are no longer mandatory outdoors, inside cafes, and in offices. In any situation where masks are not mandatory, market users must still carry their mask with them at all times. Area Masks Outdoors – Recommended where social distancing not possible Level 1 Offices – Recommended where social distancing not possible Administration Office – Recommended where social distancing not possible Cafés – Recommended where social distancing not possible Customer Service Centre – Mandatory Gatehouse Security Office – Mandatory Trading Floor – Mandatory Buyers’ Walk – Mandatory Flower Market – Mandatory Commercial Tenancies – Mandatory Stores – Mandatory Transport inside the market The one person per electric vehicle rule will be relaxed, allowing passengers to travel in buggies. Temperature screening Temperature screening upon entry will remain in place for the short-term; however, as the COVID health risk continues to reduce in Victoria, the MMA is looking at the possibility of ceasing temperature screening in the coming weeks. We will notify market users of any changes once decisions are finalised. Detailed information regarding current COVID restrictions at the Market can be found at www.melbournemarket.com.au/melbourne-market-coronavirus-covid-19-response/. Tell us what you think  Every year the MMA distribute the market satisfaction survey to get feedback and insights on how we’re going, what’s working, what can be improved and how we can assist your business. The data collected is used to improve the operations, facilities and opportunities for businesses at the Melbourne Market. The survey for the fruit and vegetable market is now live, and you can access it by clicking here. As a bonus, the first 75 people to complete the survey will receive a $15 voucher to use at participating market cafes! Complete the survey now 40-year gold card awards Recently, MMA COO, David Whitchelo presented gold card 40-year service awards to five deserving recipients, Giuseppe Toscano, Phil Brancatisano, Frank Madafferi, Vince LaManna and Ralph Caparello. Congratulations to Giuseppe, Phil, Frank, Vince, and Ralph; we thank you for your service and dedication to the industry. The MMA recognise market participants who have worked in the industry for 40 years or more. When you become a 40-year member, you receive a gold access card, which has no fee applied, as well as a commemorative framed certificate. If you have been working in the Market or industry for over 40 years, you can apply for a gold card, download and complete the 40-year service award form from the website. A message from Fareshare The final day for Market donations to FareShare in 2020 will be 23 December. We will resume collections at the Market on 4 January 2021. We’d like to thank the Market community who have generously supported us in 2020 and helped us cook thousands of hearty meals. Demand for meals remains high, so any assistance with your surplus or end-of-life produce can be used to help people in need. FareShare wishes you all a safe and enjoyable holiday break. See you in the New Year. Advisory Committee Meetings Speaking to your advisory committee members is an effective way you can raise key issues with the MMA. This week, all four advisory committees will meet to discuss key market issues. To find out who your advisory committee members are, click here, and talk to them about the Market issues that affect you. M80 Upgrade – Sydney Road to Edgars Road The M80 Ring Road will undergo significant upgrades between Sydney Road and Edgars Road, beginning Monday 7 December through to Monday 21 December. The Edgars Road interchange will be closed for the two-week period with detours in place. Click here for further details.  Christmas trading  Thursday 24th Dec – OPEN Friday 25th Dec (Christmas Day) – MARKET CLOSED Monday 28th Dec (Boxing Day observed) – MARKET CLOSED Tuesday 29th Dec – OPEN Wednesday 30th Dec – OPEN Thursday 31st Dec – OPEN Friday 1st Jan (New Year’s Day) – MARKET CLOSED Monday 4th Jan – OPEN Foodbank closure: 17 Dec – 11 Jan Fareshare closure: 23 Dec – 4 Jan Industry News Fruit and vegetable prices set to rise as competition for labour intensifies Fruit and vegetable prices are expected to rise by up to 25 per cent across Australia this summer as COVID-19 travel restrictions limit labour available for harvesting. A new report has forecast Australia’s farm gate production to reach more than $65 billion this year, as the agricultural sector bounces back following the nation’s second-largest winter crop and promising rainfall outlook despite the horror of bushfires, drought and the coronavirus pandemic. Click here to read more. Ministers postpone decision on cutting health star rating for fresh fruit juice  Any change to the health star rating for fruit and vegetable juices is on hold with the Australia and New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation delaying a final decision until February. Fruit growers and federal Agriculture Minister David Littleproud were furious at the recommendation by the state ministers to press on with a plan to introduce health star ratings [HSR] based on sugar content, giving Diet Coke a higher rating than fresh Australian juice. Click here to read more. Melbourne Market Job Board  Do you have a vacancy to fill in your business? Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au for the position to be placed on our online job board. Looking for a new role? Check out the online job board via the button below. View full online job board Ask the MMAIf you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. Follow us  |
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