This Week in the Market – 14 February 2023

Edition 394

In this week’s Market News:

– Remembering Pat LaManna
– Annual Access Card Renewal
– Valentine’s Day Flowers

Market News

Remembering Pat LaManna

The MMA and Melbourne Market Community are mourning the passing of Pat LaManna.

A veteran of the Victorian Fruit and Veg industry with over 70 years experience. Pat started his first fruit shop in 1953 and went on to have stores in every major shopping centre throughout Melbourne.

In 1972, he started LaManna Bananas, one of Australia’s largest Fruit and Vegetable wholesale companies, with offices and warehouses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.

Not only did he have significant success in the Fruit and Vegetable industry, he was an OAM recipient, inducted into the Papal Knighthood, awarded Senior Australian of the Year in 2009, and one every international Lions Club award on offer. Pat was a truly remarkable individual.

We offer sincere condolences to Pat’s family, friends, and those who knew him.
He will be sadly missed.

A private funeral will be held on Thursday, 16 February, at 9:30am – if you wish to view the service, click here.

Rest in peace.

Annual Access Card Renewal

Prior to 28 February, all businesses should log onto their My MMA Portal account and select any access cards they would like to deactivate to avoid unnecessary charges. A short video explaining how simple it is to complete this process via the customer portal can be viewed below.

All access cards associated with your business will be automatically renewed in your March Tax Invoice/Statement.

The My MMA Portal has been thoughtfully designed to provide your business with a single digital platform to view your business account details and manage interactions with the MMA at your own convenience.

If your business is yet to set up a My MMA Portal account, contact the MMA via info@melbournemarket.com.au to nominate a business representative and read and sign the terms or use.

Restraints required on all market vehicles

WorkSafe Victoria advised that all market-approved vehicles must have an appropriate restraint/s fitted. This requirement applies to all electric vehicles, such as golf buggies, Taylor Dunns and forklifts, regardless of the year of manufacture.

If your business owns any market-approved vehicles, you must contact your preferred service provider to organise appropriate restraints to be fitted to the vehicle.

WorkSafe expects that all market-approved vehicles will be fitted with appropriate restraints by 30 June 2023.

For further information, including available MMA reimbursements click here.

If you have any questions on the reimbursement and MMA registration, please contact Customer Service on 9258 6123.

Have you set up your custom Julie stand?

The custom Julie Goodwin stands are a hit with retailers across the country! Have a look at a few who have got into the spirit with their custom Julie Goodwin stands!

These stands make for a great photo opportunity in your store, and we love seeing more pictures roll in on social media!

Have you got any great photos of your staff or customers hanging out with Julie? Share them with us on socials and tag us @abetterchoiceaus and Julie too!

Toilet block cleaning

To keep the market and our facilities clean and hygienic, toilet blocks are regularly cleaned throughout trade. When cleaning is being conducted in the toilet blocks, and ‘Cleaning in Progress’ signs are in place, you must not enter.

This is for the safety and privacy of both the cleaners and market users.
If you visit a toilet that is being cleaned please wait until the cleaner has completed their job and removed the ‘cleaning in progress’ signs or use other nearby facilities.

Industry News

AUSVEG is celebrating 100 years of serving Victorian Growers

The Victorian Vegetable Innovation event held in April from Thursday, 27 to Friday 28 at the Butler Market Gardens in Catani, Victoria, is fast approaching. Entry for growers is FREE over the two-day event. It includes field demonstrations, learning forums and masterclasses, a wide array of undercover exhibits and the annual AUSVEG VIC Awards for Excellence Dinner.

You can nominate growers for awards such as Grower of the Year, Young Grower of the Year and Women in Horticulture here.

Please contact eo@ausvegvic.com.au or call 0413 760 776 for more information.

Apple variety bred specifically for a hot climate unveiled

Following twenty years of breeding and scientific development, Tutti™, the world’s first specifically bred hot climate tolerant apple variety, has been commercially launched.

Its vital innovative new varieties are developed to withstand high temperatures and enable growers across all major continents to adapt and have sustainable businesses, while providing consumers with great tasting apples

Click here to read more.

Melbourne Market Job Board and Community Notices

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

Louis Melbourne

We currently have a Warehouse Receivable Officer position available for an immediate start.

Highly motivated and organised individual is required for receiving and dispatching stock into our warehouse.
Previous receiving and dispatching experience not necessary but would be highly regarded.
Basic computer skills required and experience using Microsoft office suite.
Current forklift license would be advantageous

Please call Anthony Bekker on 0458 862 245 or email resume to anthony@louismelbourne.com.au

Baxter Valley Produce

We currently have openings for a casual Market Hand and a part-time Delivery Driver.

Both roles must be available to work between 12am (start) and 8am (finish time) with reliability and punctuality being essential. Days to be mutually agreed to with flexibility to cover leave as needed.

Click here to view the full job ad.

Please contact Frank Tropeano on 0438 318 499 for further information.