This Week in the Market – 16 January 2024

Edition 439

In this week’s Market News:

– MMA New Chief Operating Officer Appointment
– Market Community BBQ
– Lunar New Year 2024

Market News

Welcome to 2024!

Happy New Year, and welcome back to the first newsletter of 2024!

Keep an eye out for updates on community events, market developments and updates from programs such as A better choice!.

We’re always keen to hear what individuals and businesses are up to and share it with our market community. Feel free to drop us a line and tell us your story at submissions@melbournemarket.com.au.

Here’s to a prosperous, safe and happy 2024!

MMA New Chief Operating Officer Appointment

The Melbourne Market Authority is pleased to announce the appointment of Syed Shahed to the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Many market users would already know Syed, who has worked with the MMA as a Project Manager since 2018.

With an extensive engineering and project management background and his experience with the MMA, Syed has a thorough understanding of the Melbourne Market and its operations and has kicked off the new year by seamlessly stepping into the role.

Market Community BBQ

Please join us for an ‘Aussie BBQ’ on Thursday, 25 January, from 4am. The location will be confirmed in next week’s newsletter.

Gourmet sausages will be on offer for everyone to enjoy. There will also be alternate options available to suit a range of dietary requirements.

Public Holiday – Market Closure

The market will be closed on Friday, 26 January for the Australia Day 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.

2024 is the year of the Dragon, and to celebrate, the market is welcoming back the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne to perform the traditional lion dance and blessings on Thursday, 15 February 2024.

Please send an email to submissions@melbournemarket.com.au if you would like to receive a blessing. In order to ensure that every business seeking a blessing on the day receives one, blessings can only be granted to those who have submitted their requests via email.

Market Satisfaction Survey Winners

Thank you to everyone who completed the 2023 Market Satisfaction Survey. We had a huge response, with everyone’s feedback providing great insight that will enable the MMA to continue to improve the operations, facilities and opportunities for businesses at the Melbourne Market.

Congratulations to our lucky prize winners who have received and are enjoying their prizes:
1st Prize Weber Q BBQ – Joey Mowbray (Brescia)
2nd Prize: Nintendo Switch – Joseph Duggan (Freshmax)
3rd Prize: Nespresso Coffee Machines – David Lucke (Luckes Fresh Food Market)

Welcome to the Market Ayse Halil

A better choice! are pleased to share that Ayse Halil has recently commenced as Victorian Program Coordinator for A better choice.

Ayse will be working closely with retailers to assist in the delivery of partnerships and the A better choice! program to Victorian Retailers.

Ayse has hit the ground running, coordinating the rollout of the latest A better choice! partnership with the Perfection Fresh back to school campaign.

Please make Ayse feel welcome and be sure to say hi when you see her in-store or in the market.

A better choice! Perfection Fresh and Sesame Street Campaign

A better choice! are excited to announce they have partnered with Perfection Fresh, who are celebrating the back-to-school period with their friends from Sesame Street!

The campaign will feature beloved characters of Sesame Street to inspire both kids and adults to embrace a healthier lifestyle by incorporating more fresh produce into their diets.

From January to March, you can expect to see limited edition pack designs on Qukes, Little Gem Bananas, Petite Tomatoes and Perfection Berries. A better choice! will be rolling out POS materials such as posters, display bins and plush toys to promote the campaign.

To be one of the first retailers to have this exciting campaign activated, please reach out to Ayse at ahalil@abetterchoice.com.au.

The latest edition of the ‘A better choice!’ Magazine is out now!

The Summer edition of the A better choice! consumer magazine has hit Victorian retail stores just in time for back to school shoppers to grab a copy.

Featuring over 55 recipes, summer feasting ideas, editorials and advertisements from growers and partners, the magazine is a fantastic way to showcase exciting fruit and vegetable products.
There is a limited number of magazines still available, please contact Ayse if you would like additional magazines for your store, alternatively the A better choice! team will be handing out copies around the market.

With 50,000 copies printed nationally, it’s a great opportunity to have your brand promoted on a national scale. For advertising opportunities in future editions, email Zac Egan on zegan@freshmarkets.com.au.

Industry News

Australian government announces Food and Grocery Code of Conduct review

The Australian government has appointed Craig Emerson to lead the 2023–24 review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (AFGC) to ensure that the supermarket sector is working as it should.

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