This Week in the Market – 24 January 2023

– Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Market today!
– Australia Day BBQ
– Trading Floor Stand Availability

Market News

Celebrate Lunar New Year in the Market today!

We’re celebrating the Year of the Rabbit today from 4am, starting in the Flower Market, continuing through the Trading Floor with a performance at the top end near Customer Service and finishing along the Buyers’ Walk.

The lion dancers from the Chinese youth Society of Melbourne are hard to miss. However, for everyone’s safety, please remain vigilant during their performances throughout the Flower Market, Trading Floor and Buyers’ Walk.
MROs will be directing traffic to ensure the safety of performers and market users.

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 be unavailable. Please see a Market Relations Officer on arrival for alternative arrangements and further directions.

Please join us for an ‘Aussie BBQ’ tomorrow from 4am under the breezeway between the Flower Market and the Trading Floor.

Gourmet sausages will be on offer, as well as Halal sausages cooked on a separate barbeque for everyone to enjoy. In addition, we will be accepting any donations people wish to contribute towards our flood-affected growers fundraiser.

Custom Julie Goodwin Store Advertisements are here!

Retailers and customers still have a chance to win Victorian Strawberries prizes!

Remember, until the end of January, customers still have a chance to win the following:

• Luxury escape in the Yarra Valley, including a hot air balloon ride and strawberry picking experience and tour
• 5 x $200 vouchers at local A better choice! fruit and veg shops

Retailers can still win!
By posting about this promotion on social media, your retail store will also have the chance to win a $200 gourmet hamper, simply:

1. Take a photo or video including Victorian Strawberries
2. Post to the store’s Instagram or Facebook
3. Use the hashtag #ilovevicstrawberries and tag @vicstrawberries and @abetterchoiceaus

Click here for more information and terms and conditions.

Trading Floor stand availability

Are you or someone you know looking to grow your stand presence for 2023?

The Melbourne Market has stand availability on the Fruit and Vegetable Trading Floor.

This is a fantastic opportunity for any small to medium Victorian growers.

To register your interest, please fill out the Stand Enquiry form, and a property team member will be in contact with you.

Valentine’s Day

This year, we have continued the retro theme and taken inspiration from the buzzword ‘OG’.

OG is an original or the originator, and we all know Flowers are the OG love note for Valentine’s Day.

The campaign will go live on Wednesday, 1 February and includes the following:

• Radio advertising on Nova 100, Smooth FM
• Social media video showcasing flowers being created with a love note
• Social vox pops
• Vintage style poster print for instore promotion – limited number of A2 posters available

Get on board with the campaign by picking up one of the A2 posters, which will be available for collection from the Flower Market and Customer Service Centre from Tuesday, 24 January.

Keep an eye out on our social media channels and get involved!

1. Use the hashtag – add #FlowerTheOG to all Valentine’s Day posts
2. Share social media videos from the Melbourne Market Facebook or Instagram page on your socials
3. Use “Give Flowers The OG Love Note” imagery on your socials
4. Make your own fun posts with the “Give Flowers The OG Love Note” theme
5. Remember to include #melbourne.market and #nationalflowercentre in all your posts

For all enquiries, please contact Theresa on 9258 6191

FareShare and Foodbank have begun accepting donations for 2022

Both FareShare and Foodbank are back at the market after the Christmas break and are accepting donations at their respective drop-off points.

Drop off points
Foodbank: Behind store 148
Fareshare: Behind store 6

The MMA, along with Foodbank and Fareshare thank the market community for their continued generosity.

Family of Quolls returned home to North Queensland

If you come across wildlife in the Market, you can report it to the DELWP Conservation Regulator on 136 186.

Alternatively, you can email portphillip.cr@delwp.vic.gov.au directly with information about where you saw the animals.

Please make sure you also notify the MMA on 0438 513 894, so they can give access to the site upon the arrival of wildlife rangers.

Industry News

Global Market Overview – Lemons

The Australian citrus industry is expecting record numbers of lemons to be harvested this summer.

Growers conducted spot picks from October through to December, with full harvest underway from January to March. Australian growers are hoping volumes continue to grow in coming seasons, to replace imported ones from the USA and Egypt over summer to meet consumer demand.

Click here to read more.

Melbourne Market Job Board and Community Notices

Natoora Melbourne

Natoora Melbourne is seeking a passionate and energetic Fresh Produce Buyer.

This role is a night shift starting at 11:30pm. Reporting to the Director, the Fresh Produce Buyer is responsible for daily produce purchases within the Melbourne Market.

Click here to view the full job ad.

To apply, please forward your resume to kim.driver@natoora.com

Ask the MMA

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