This Week in the Market – 15 December 2020

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In this week’s Market News:

– Cooking demonstration big hit with market users
– Greengrocery course starting 19th Jan
– Tell us what you think in the market survey

Market News



Cooking demonstration to celebrate A better choice!

Last Thursday the market was abuzz with the A better choice! team ‘cooking up’ something special to thank the Melbourne Market community for their support of the program. The market’s own celebrity chef, Thanh Truong, whipped up a Vietnamese water spinach stir fry served with steamed rice, that everyone agreed was delicious. 

The dish Thanh cooked earned him three perfect 10/10 scores when he prepared it in the grand final of Channel 7’s Plate of Origin, and it seemed market users were equally as impressed as the reality show judges, with many coming back for second and even third helpings!

Thanh has shared the recipe on his ‘Fruit Nerd’ Instagram page so if you missed out, or just want to taste the amazing flavours again; you can cook it up for yourself at home. 

During the morning the A better choice! team also gave away some delicious individual serves of fruit salad, and coffee vouchers to use at market cafes, showcasing true market flavours. A big thank you to those market wholesalers who generously donated produce for the fruit salads. 

The MMA and Fresh State live-streamed much of the morning via social media channels and you can re-live the event by visiting the pages via the links below. 

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



Where people are pictured without face masks they were conducting on-camera interviews or consuming food.

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
Last Friday a communication was sent to the market community detailing changes to market COVID restrictions and operational procedures.
You can read the full communication by clicking here; alternatively, the changes are summarised below:

As of 9:00 am Friday 11 December, the following changes came into effect:
Temperature screening – The requirement to have your temperature screened upon entry to the site ceased. 
Entry gates – Gates 2, 3 and the pedestrian turnstiles have re-opened, and market users can enter and exit the market via these points. 
Face masks – It is strongly recommended that you wear a face mask when you are unable to consistently keep 1.5 metres distance from other people (e.g. on the Buyers’ Walk, trading floor); however, there is no longer be a mandatory requirement to wear a face mask in the market (both indoors and outdoors). You should continue to carry a face mask with you at all times, and you should put it on when you are not able to maintain social distancing. 

As market COVID restrictions are rolled back, the importance of adhering to social distancing rules is essential. You must remain at least 1.5 metres from other Market users wherever possible; Market Relations Officers will issue warnings and suspensions to market users who do not follow social distancing rules. Social distancing will remain an essential part of life at the Melbourne Market for the foreseeable future, and we thank those in the market community who continue to do the right thing. 

Detailed information regarding COVID operational changes at the Market can be found at www.melbournemarket.com.au/melbourne-market-coronavirus-covid-19-response/.

First intake of Certificate III in Greengrocery commencing 19 January, but it’s not too late…
The first intake of students into the Certificate III in Greengrocery is starting on 19 January, and it’s not too late to enrol and secure up to $28,000 in government funding*.
 
As well as the benefits of putting your staff through a world-class traineeship, the government is currently offering a wage subsidy of up to 50% or $7,000 per quarter for eligible students. 
The earlier you apply, the more funding you can access, so if you have staff moving from casual to part-time or part-time to full time, click here to email, or call Theresa on 0438 830 052, to find out if you’re eligible for funding or to learn more about the course.

To enrol visit www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/certificate-iii/greengrocery/, and don’t forget limited scholarships are still available by clicking here

The Happy Apple has enrolled one of their employees on the course, listen to Graham Gee and David Whitchelo talk about the program in the video below. 
 
Don’t miss out on the amazing opportunity; call to find out more today!
*For students eligible for the Boost Apprenticeship Commencement

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

It’s time to celebrate with Flowers! 
It’s time to drop over and see our friends, catch up with loved ones, celebrate the special occasions and show them how much we missed them with fresh flowers.

As Melbourne opens up from lockdown, the MMA and Flowers Victoria have launched a fun-loving social media campaign to remind people to celebrate with flowers.
 
The campaign celebrates our family and friends, all the new additions, the special occasions and especially time together.  But most of all it reminds us to stop and enjoy the special things and show the ones you love how much you care.
 
This campaign, encouraging people to buy fresh flowers is now live across Facebook and Instagram and will run through to Christmas; you can check it out for yourself below.“Santa Claus is coming to… the Market” 



Keep an eye next Tuesday morning when a special visitor with two helper elves will be visiting the Market to spread some Christmas cheer!
Santa will be giving out some goodies and taking the opportunity to collect money for The Royal Children’s Hospital, so if you are feeling generous, you can place your spare change in Santa’s tin.
 
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
White strawberries just one of the new varieties being developed in Australia



Australia’s leading strawberry breeder is on a delicious quest to release a striking pure white fruit that is ripe when the seeds on its skin turn red. Senior scientist Jodi Neal and her team have already perfected the colour of the stunning strawberry, which is white-fleshed to its core.
Read more on ABC News.

A short video guide on Harvest to Home data

Harvest to Home, funded by Hort Innovation, is an interactive online dashboard that enables you to understand wider trends in produce, identify key consumer trends, and engage in informed conversations with retailers. 

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.

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