This Week in the Market – 17 November 2020
| Edition 289 View this email in your browser  In this week’s Market News: – Focus on forklift safety – Truck and car wash survey – A better choice! Christmas giveaway Market News Focus on forklift safety There has been an increase in forklifts incidents at the market recently. While forklifts are essential for work at the market, when they are not being used safely, they have the potential to cause serious injury and even death. Remember… Use your headlights! Lights need to be turned on when working outdoors or in dark conditions. Take care when reversing Be aware of your blind spot and look out for pedestrians and other vehicles. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted You need to be aware of your surroundings at all times, so no mobile phone operation (including calls or texts) and no headphones. Use the forklift highways The Melbourne Market was designed to separate vehicles and pedestrians as much as possible. You must stick to designated forklift highways when travelling around the market. Pedestrians have a responsibility too Forklift drivers have a responsibility to operate vehicles safely, but it is also the responsibility of pedestrians to watch for and avoid forklifts. Never assume the forklift operator knows that you are there and always keep a safe distance from a forklift and pay attention at all times. Last year, Jason gave us some great forklift safety tips that are worth hearing again, check out the video below…Thanks for the tips Jason, great common-sense advice! *Please note, video was filmed prior to COVID restrictions Truck and carwash on market site  The MMA is seeking some preliminary feedback from market users and tenants as to whether they would utilise a truck and car washing service on-site at the Melbourne Market. We have created a short 3-minute survey for market users and tenants to complete. The survey is anonymous, and any results may be shared with businesses expressing interest in leasing a potential vehicle cleaning facility at the market. Click here to access the survey and let us know your thoughts. You must continue to wear a fitted face mask at all times while at the market All Victorians must wear a fitted face mask when they leave home, and this includes at all times when on the Melbourne Market site. As restrictions ease and movement across Victoria increases, a face mask is even more important to prevent any potential outbreaks. MRO’s continue to issue warnings and suspensions for those failing to wear a face mask. We ask that you continue to do the right thing and wear your face mask correctly at all times while at the market. Detailed information regarding current COVID restrictions at the Market can be found at www.melbournemarket.com.au/melbourne-market-coronavirus-covid-19-response/.   Christmas Giveaway  To celebrate the festive season, A better choice! is giving customers the chance to win! There are thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes to be won over the coming weeks, with winners drawn daily. The A better choice! Christmas Giveaway will be advertised across social media and in-store via point-of-sale material. Member stores are being sent a promotional pack in the mail which includes a mix of wobblers, A3 posters and stickers to display in-store. Items in the promotional pack include a bar code allowing customers can scan to enter into the prize draws. Want to know more? Email abetterchoice@melbournemarket.com.au. 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. Financial incentives announced for greengrocers to train staff The Government recently announced significant changes to training incentives for businesses, to boost the number of employees undertaking apprenticeships and traineeships. Last week an information session was held for Melbourne Market greengrocers, and many were surprised by the generous incentives the government is offering to encourage training. Retail greengrocers can receive up to 50% of wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,000 per quarter) to support eligible staff in completing the Certificate III in Greengrocery. There are several different course subsidies and incentives employers may be eligible for when staff complete a traineeship via the Certificate III in Greengrocery. Depending on each employees’ individual circumstances and eligibility criteria, different funding scenarios will apply. The best way to find out how it works and who is eligible for incentives is by calling Tracey Mowat from MAS National on 1300 627 628, or click here for further information. Christmas trading  Christmas is just five and a half weeks away! The Market will be closed on the public holidays during the Christmas/New Year period. The market will be open, with regular trading hours, on all other days. 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. 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 Focus on Men’s Health during November  Parenting young children presents many challenges, particularly the effects it can have on mental health. For fathers working in the fresh produce industry, this can be compounded by the long, often overnight hours, and stress of the job. Family Man, by Movember, provides simple, yet effective, tools for mastering the art of parenting. Making “family” your new favourite F-word. The initiative aims to equip dads with the right tools, especially in tough times, to help men live healthier and happier lives. You can read more about Family Man, including useful parenting tools for dads by clicking here and make sure to check out the interactive video series below. Industry News Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program The Seasonal Workforce Accommodation Program (SWAP) supports the safe accommodation and transport of seasonal workers across Victoria during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The $6 million SWAP works with local government, industry, accommodation providers and regional stakeholders to provide accommodation and transport, facilities hire and support services for seasonal horticultural workers that meets COVIDSafe standards. Funding will support local solutions that address the accommodation needs of seasonal workers. To learn more, or to see if your business meets the eligibility criteria, download the fact sheets below. SWAP fact sheet SWAP eligibility checklist Harvest to Home COVID-19 October fresh produce update  Harvest to Home is an interactive online dashboard that provides users with up-to-date retail information and consumer trend data on a range of vegetable commodities on a single platform. The dashboard’s latest COVID-19 fresh produce update analyses the four weeks leading up to 4 October 2020 versus the same period a year ago. Overall grocery sales are still strong, at 10.6% higher than the same four week period last year. Click here to read more. Are you financially prepared for export in 2021? Following a disrupted 2020, what challenges and opportunities does 2021 have in store? Uncertain economic conditions, currency fluctuations, export marketing budget constraints and an increased need to de-risk your export operations. Join a specialist panel as they discuss the outlook for 2021, currency trends, export marketing funding opportunities and practical tips to better manage the financial risks associated with exporting, help protect profits and better prepare your business for exporting in 2021. Date: 18 November 2020 Time: 3:00pm AEDT Location: Virtual (Zoom) Click here to register. 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 new online job board. Office worker – Guy’s Freight Guy’s Freight Service is looking for a person to work in their office Monday to Friday for approximately 6 hours per day. The hours will vary but primarily fall between 6 am-12 pm. The role will be casual to start with a view to permanent part-time. Experience in transport and logistics would be highly regarded. Experience with Con notes/Manifest and Chep movement would be desirable. Please email your CV to admin@guysfreight.com.au Administration, Accounts Clerk and Customer Service Officer – HC Produce HC Produce is looking for an energetic Administration, Accounts Clerk and Customer Service Officer to join our friendly team. You must have initiative and be willing to learn. 4-day working week, hours are 7 am to 2 pm but must be able to work full time when other staff are on annual leave. Email resume to hcproduce@bigpond.com View full online job board Ask the MMA If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. Follow us  Copyright © 2020 Melbourne Market Authority, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are on the Melbourne Market Authority distribution list. Our mailing address is: *Box 1, 55 Produce Drive, Epping, VIC, 3076* update subscription preferences |