Meet your advisory committee members
Over the coming weeks, we will be profiling each of our advisory committee members for you to get to know a little more about them.
This week we spoke to Thanh Truong, from the Wholesalers Advisory Committee.
 Your role at the Market:
I started in the family business seven years ago, and now I’m a director of Aus Asia Produce. How time flies! My primary role is to ensure the day to day runs smoothly, from deliveries on time to produce quality and market pricing. The other side of my role is to manage the relationships with our grower base.
What are you most passionate about concerning the fresh produce industry
My passion is to get people excited about fruits and vegetables! I know that the emotion from an unforgettable aroma, a textural bite or an intense sweet and sour kick from a fruit or vegetable is unmatchable. Unfortunately, this experience is no longer the norm. The commodification of the fresh produce industry has its pros and cons. Availability is now exceptional, yet the notion of the seasonality is lost. Produce shelf life is now extraordinary but arguably at the cost of more intense flavours. Produce is a wondrous creation that I believe consumers take for granted in today’s busy world. Against the grain of commodification and convenience, my hope is for the next generation to be in touch with, excited by and well advised in the fruit and vegetables they consume.
What do you think are important issues for the Market and industry?
Safety. Balancing a healthy work-life. Attracting and keeping talent. Moving forward in the digital age. Technical fresh produce education.
Why did you want to be a member of the advisory committee?
The younger generation who have been in the Market for less than five years are now making up a sizeable portion of the community. They are often tied down in the day to day but don’t realise they also have an important role and a voice in steering the future direction of the Market. It’s our responsibility to make the Market a better place, just like the generation before us. I became a member of the advisory committee to channel the younger voices of the Market.
What’s something most people wouldn’t know about you?
I’m currently completing my Masters of Food Systems and Gastronomy. I hope to complete my minor thesis on social media’s influence on food literacy with a particular focus on fruits and vegetables. My friends nicknamed me ‘The Fruit Nerd’! |
Children in the Market is back these school holidays, giving everyone a chance to bring their kids into the Market to see Mum or Dad in action at work.
As part of the Hort Connections industry conference, a large group of delegates will be touring the Melbourne Market on Monday 24 June. The tour is being split into six separate groups and will be made up of growers and other members of the horticulture industry from all over the country.
