This Week in the Market – 17 January 2023

– Lunar New Year
– Australia Day BBQ
– Market Survey Prize Winners

Market News

Lunar New Year

2023 is the year of the Water Rabbit, symbolising longevity, positivity, auspiciousness, wittiness, cautiousness, cleverness, deftness and self-protection.

To celebrate the new year, the Chinese Youth Society of Melbourne will perform the traditional lion dance and blessings next Tuesday, 24 January, from 4am.

The lion dancers are hard to miss, however, 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.

Market Satisfaction Survey Winners

Thank you to everyone who completed the 2022 Market Satisfaction Survey. Your feedback is crucial for us to continue to improve the operations, facilities and opportunities for businesses at the Melbourne Market.

Our lucky prize draw winners picked up their prizes last week. Pictured below, we have Past picking up his brand new smart TV and Marlon receiving his new Sennheiser headphones.

Australia Day

Please join us for an ‘Aussie BBQ’ on Wednesday, 25 January, from 4am under the breezeway between the Flower Market and the Trading Floor.

Gourmet sausages will be on offer for everyone to enjoy, and we will be accepting any donations people wish to contribute towards our flood-affected growers fundraiser.

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.

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.

Immediate flood relief grant

Businesses directly impacted by the Victorian floods beginning in October 2022 can access a one-off grant of $5000 to cover immediate expenses. Businesses must be located within an eligible local government area and incurred significant direct damage to their place of business, business assets, stock or equipment.

Eligible businesses can apply for the grant to cover expenses, including (but not limited to):

• qualified tradespeople to conduct safety inspections, repair premises and internal fittings
• equipment, materials and services needed for clean-up
• removal and disposal of debris, damaged materials or damaged stock
• equipment, stock and materials essential for immediately resuming operations.

Applications close at 4pm on Tuesday, 7 February 2023 or earlier if funds are exhausted. Applications will be assessed on a first-in, first-served basis.

Click here for more information and to apply for the grant.

Industry News

International backpackers return to farms for fruit harvests, boosting rural workforce

Backpackers have returned to Australia in force and farmers are happy with the boost to the rural workforce.

A total of 135,000 Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa holders arrived in Australia in 2022, helping fill the estimated 172,000 worker shortfall in the food supply chain.

Click here to read more.

Delayed cherry harvest results in larger fruit with ‘best and sweetest’ about to hit shelves

Cherries are usually harvested before Christmas, but low temperatures during spring and December led to a delay.

After a season “full of unknowns”, growers say they have harvested some of the biggest cherries they have ever seen.

Click here to read more.

Melbourne Market Job Board and Community Notices

Louis Melbourne

We currently have the following opportunities available for an immediate start:

• Picker/Packer
• Truck Delivery Driver

Availability requirement is between Sunday to Friday for a 12am onwards start. The position starts as casual with the potential of ongoing in the future.

Click here to view the full job ad.

Please contact Anthony Bekker on 0458 862 245 or at anthony@louismelbourne.com.au for more information.
Alternatively, come for a chat at Stand 35.

Ask the MMA

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