This Week in the Market – 11 January 2022

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In this week’s Market News:

– COVID Update 
– Market featured on Channel 9 Mega Zoo
– 2022 Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day

Market News
COVID Update

Mandatory Masks Indoors

A reminder that in line with the recent government mandate, the following COVIDSafe rules have been reinstated in the Melbourne Market as of 11:59pm Thursday, 23 December:

Fitted face masks are required to be worn at all times while inside the market, with mask-wearing outside on market land highly recommended.

Mandatory Third Dose Vaccination 
Under new pandemic orders coming into place at 11:59pm Wednesday 12 January, workers in key sectors in Victoria, Australia, who are already required to be fully vaccinated must get their third booster dose before being permitted to work onsite.  
 
This will apply to food distribution workers, who will need to receive their third dose by 12 March.Food distribution workers includes manufacturing, warehousing and transport (freight/port) workers involved in food distribution. Retail supermarket staff are not included in the mandate.

You can book your third dose vaccination here

We ask you to be vigilant and continue to follow COVIDSafe practices
Do not attend the Melbourne Market if you are feeling unwell. If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.

Exposure sites 
The MMA has a list of exposure sites within the market which you can view here.

In the event of a positive COVID case
In the event of a positive COVID case in the business, you must notify the MMA immediately via the 24-hour security line on 0408 334 555, so we can quickly put measures in place to reduce the risk of a COVID outbreak within the market. 

Did you see the Market on Mega Zoo?
Almost every day, Zoos Victoria visit the market to pick up produce for their animals. This produce is kindly donated by our Market community and this process was captured on the popular Channel 9 show Mega Zoo. If you missed it, you can watch the clip below. 

The segment not only showcased the generosity of our community but gave a little insight into how the market works. Thank you to everyone who kindly donates produce to Zoos Victoria, it was so great to see how grateful the Zoos team is and where the produce ends up. 

2022 Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day



The highly anticipated Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day is right around the corner.

The golf day raises much-needed funds for not-for-profit organisation DEBRA Australia, who work tirelessly to support those living with a rare skin blistering disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). EB is a rare disease whereby the skin blisters and peels at the slightest touch. Living with EB has been likened to living with third-degree burns. It is very painful, and sufferers must be bandaged every day with dressings to protect and medicate their wounds.

DEBRA Australia assists in improving the lives of children and adults living with EB, by providing necessary support services, medical supplies, aids and equipment, assistance with transition to independent living and research focusing on different aspects of EB. 

To find out about sponsorship opportunities or to register a team, click here to download a registration form.

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. 

Are you on the My MMA Portal?




Email Amanda Flannery to set up a username and password



Retailer Survey
This is the final week to go into the draw to win a $500 Gold Class voucher by completing the A better choice! retailer survey. By completing the survey, retailers have the opportunity to provide valuable feedback on the recent Youth Sports Initiative promotion and shape future promotions. Click here to complete the survey.  Australian Mushroom Growers Association collaborationA better choice! has partnered with the Australian Mushrooms Growers Association (AMGA) to promote their summer campaign ‘Mushrooms + Mince = The Blend’

We are looking for 30 A better choice! stores to participate in this campaign, which allows your customers the chance to win one of four Weber Family Qs! Participating A better choice! stores will be merchandised with point of sale material including posters, tear-off pads and wobblers. If you would like to participate in the campaign, then click here to register.

Retailer of the Year
Awards for all of the A better choice! Retailer of the Year runner up prizes should now be with, or on the way to our retailers. Congratulations again to the full list of award winners below:
 
1. Retailer of the Year – Alexandra Fruit and Vegetables
2.           Toscano’s of Kew
3.           Toscano’s of Hawksburn
4.           Greavesy’s Fruit n Veg
5.           Henrys Mercato Stud Park
6.           Big Watermelon
7.           Cranbourne Market
8.           La Bella Rocca Fruit
9.           Tunstall Fresh
10.         Sculli Bros

Nominations for the Young Business Achiever
The City of Whittlesea is calling for nominations for the Young Business Achiever Awards. If you know an employee that deserves recognition for their outstanding work and commitment to your organisation, nominate them for the 2022 Young Business Achiever Awards by completing an Expression of Interest.

Register a young achiever here!

Industry News
New interactive website to help manage widespread pests in Victoria



A new free and accessible website has been launched to assist land managers, pest controllers and community groups to manage rabbits, gorse and serrated tussock on their properties.

The Virtual Extension Officer website (VEO) was developed by the Victorian Gorse Taskforce (VGT) in collaboration with the Victorian Rabbit Action Network and the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party, to help people take control of pests.

Click here to find out more. 

Slight drop off in Australian mango numbers but still plenty of fruit this season



More than 159,000 trays of mangoes were produced in the week leading into the New Year, according to the most recent crop data from the Australian Mango Industry Association as the national production season begins to gradually slow down towards the end of January.

Click here to find out more. 

Colourful cauliflowers are trending in Australia
Fresh Select grow purple cauliflowers in the Werribee food bowl. According to Chief Executive John Said, consumers want to try something different, and supermarkets are accepting that different colours would attract sales.

“Everyone is looking for that different product, and the rainbow is one way to start,” he said. “Breeders around the world have looked at it as a novel process, but now it’s becoming mainstream. Colours are fun, they attract attention and awareness.”

Click here to find out 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. 

Zhuang Orchard 
Zhuang Orchard is seeking a qualified forklift driver to work 1:30am – 7am, Monday – Friday at the Market, stand 333. Please email expressions of interest to John: zhuangorchard@yahoo.com.au. 

View full online job board

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

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