This Week In The Market – 19 January 2021

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In this week’s Market News:

– Latest COVID information
– Valentine’s 2021
– Office space available

Market News
Latest update on COIVD and impacts on Market Operations

As of 11.59 pm Sunday 17 January, face masks rules in Victoria were rolled back, and there is now no longer a mandatory requirement to wear a face mask in the market (both indoors and outdoors); however, you should continue to wear a face mask when you are unable to keep 1.5 metres distance from other people. 
You must carry a face mask with you at all times, and you should put it on when you cannot maintain social distancing.

Importance of Social Distancing
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 continue to issue warnings and suspensions to market users who do not follow social distancing rules.

Should COVID risk factors in Victoria change, or social distancing in the market is not adequately followed, restrictions, including the wearing of face masks, may be re-implemented to keep the market community safe and businesses operational.

With positive COVID cases continuing to be identified in return overseas travellers in hotel quarantine, the risk is not eliminated. This is why 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/.

Tenancy 105 – Expression of Interest



Moon Bean Cafe has been exploring alternate locations within the market to relocate their cafe. Should Moon Bean Cafe move to a new location within the market, tenancy 105 would become available on the highly sought-after Buyers’ Walk.In this scenario, the Melbourne Market has a vision for Tenancy 105 to be converted and to operate as a wholesale fruit and vegetable trading store and is now inviting expressions of interest in the space. 
You can download an information pack and complete your online expression of interest form now on the Melbourne Market website.
 
Valentine’s Day 2021
Give Fresh Flowers. Can you even Valentine without them?

This year’s Valentine’s Day campaign is designed to drive people to ‘Do it Right’ and give fresh flowers.
A play on words has been used and implies that flowers are essential; there is no point doing Valentine’s Day without them.
The campaign includes:
– Four different point-of-sale posters in A2 size ($1 charity donation per poster)
– Radio ad campaign
– A targeted social media campaign with ads on Instagram and Facebook
 
The point-of-sale posters will be available for collection in the Flower Market, on Thursday 21st and Thursday 28th January or from Customer Service. As well as florists, greengrocers who sell flowers are encouraged to pick up some point of sale material for your retail store.

There are four styles of the poster to choose from, including;
– A couple kissing behind flowers
– A couple walking hand-in-hand holding flowers
– A person with surprise flowers behind their back
– Same-sex couple admiring flowers


 

YUCK Ice Cream


INVITATION TO ALL BUSINESS!
Join us, Yuck Ice Cream, on Thursday 28th January from 3 am – 8 am on the Buyers’ Walk

Come along and try our delicious raw vegetable ice cream.
Five flavours to choose from all consisting of two veggies each. 
(Your customers and diners will love It!)

Everybody loves ice cream, and raw veggies never tasted so good!
yuckicecream@gmail.com  
Contact: Jimmy Dioguardi

Office space available 



Prime office space is available to lease in the main administration building at the Melbourne Market.
The spaces are close to the Gate 1 main entrance and have glass frontage.
This unique location gives exposure to both the internal market community as well as having public access. 
Do you know a business who’s offering would appeal to market users? With access to the market community and the ability for public access, the space offers a unique opportunity for the right tenant.
Spaces available range from 74 m2 – 150 m2, with the rent approximately $260 – $300/m2 per annum. 
The spaces also have shared kitchen and amenities, secure access pass entry and visitor car parking. 
Give us a call to discuss the possibilities on 9258 6100 or email property@melbournemarket.com.au 

 Outstanding fees


The MMA are reviewing unpaid fees, particularly those relating to the yearly access card charge. If you have not yet paid the 2020 access card charge, you will receive correspondence from the MMA in the coming weeks with details of amounts owed and next steps. 
After correspondence is sent, a process to cancel unpaid access cards, restricting access to the market, will be undertaken,
If you have any questions about outstanding fees relating to the access card charge contact the MMA finance team on 9258 6100.

Is your business ready for a hot, covid-affected summer?  
A message from The Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action



2020 was a tough year, full of changes, and many businesses focussed on surviving and adapting. As we head into the hottest part of the summer, it’s a good time to consider whether your business is ready for hot weather, bushfire smoke, and other disruptions, and how these might interact with a ‘Covid-safe summer’. The Northern Alliance for Greenhouse Action is undertaking a research project that will feed into the Victorian Government’s Regional Adaptation Strategy for Melbourne. We are looking at how businesses are adapting to climate-related risks and impacts. 
Do you have 5 minutes to answer this survey about how your business could be affected and what would help you prepare?  The survey will  be open until Wednesday 3 February and will feed into an online workshop/webinar later on Thursday 18 February. To find out more: sally@naga.org.au

Australia Day public holiday




The Melbourne Market will be closed on the upcoming Australia Day public holiday, Tuesday 26 January. 
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 flower market 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.

Industry News
Digital Harvest – a training program to take your agri-food business online
La Trobe University is inviting farmers, agri-producers, distributors and sellers to apply for Digital Harvest, a free online program designed to help adapt and grow, as a response to the events of 2020.Digital Harvest is part of a $1.5m e-Commerce and New Marketplace Transition Package announced by the Victorian Government, as part of an Agricultural Workforce Plan. This plan aims to support agriculturists to transition to new markets and new ways of doing business.Delivered fully online and at no cost to participants, the program will support a wide range of agricultural sectors, including farming, cropping, broadacre, farmgate, community growers and distributors.Over twelve weeks, participants will receive insights from experts in agribusiness development, sales, retail, eCommerce and digital marketing. They’ll gain access to toolkits and learn how new digital tools can help attract customers to grow into the future. Participants also gain access to a growing virtual library of expert-led resources on key topics including Digital Strategy, Analytics, Email Marketing, SEO & SEM, Social Media, Storytelling and more.

The program starts week commencing Monday 1 February with registrations closing on Thursday 28 January 2021, 11:59 pm.Click here to visit the La Trobe University website to learn more and to register.

New Agriculture Minister knows the country


Mary-Anne Thomas was recently promoted to the front bench as agriculture minister following a cabinet reshuffle, with former minister The Honourable Jaclyn Symes now serving as the Attorney-General.
Ms Thomas, who represents the central Victorian seat of Macedon, also picked up the regional development portfolio.

The newly-minted minister grew up in north-east Victoria, where one side of her family were beef and dairy farmers, while the others were general storekeepers.
You can read more about our new Minister for Agriculture by clicking here

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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