This Week in the Market – 20 June 2023

– Hort Connection Award Winners
– Fire EFS 2
– Restraints Deadline 30 June

Market News

Congratulations to our Hort Connection Award Winners!

The winners of the 2023 Hort Connections Awards for Excellence were announced at the Hort Connections Gala Ball in Adelaide on Wednesday 7 June.

The awards celebrate the achievements of those within our industry explains Michael Coote, AUSVEG CEO, “Australia’s horticulture industry is privileged to have some of the world’s most innovative and hard-working growers, businesses and researchers. The Horticulture Awards for Excellence provide an opportunity to celebrate and recognise the incredible contributions of these industry leaders.”

A special congratulations to Melbourne Market members Angela Ruffo, Tripod Farmers Group, and Frank Frappa, Premier Fresh Australia for taking home the Boomaroo Nurseries Women in Horticulture Award and Hort Innovations Exporter of the Year respectively.

For a full wrap-up of the event and a full list of winners click here.

Fire EFS 2

Over the weekend there was a fire in EFS 2, thankfully no one was injured. Fire rescue authorities were quickly onsite to contain the fire and are currently investigating the cause.

As a result of the fire, a water main burst between EFS 2 and EFS 3, which impacted toilet facilities. The issue has been contained and a current workaround means facilities are running as normal, however further work will be completed in the affected area in the coming week.

Further updates to impacted businesses will be sent directly via email.

Restraints Deadline 30 June

Thank you to everyone who has already added a restraint to their electric vehicle/s. If you are yet to do so, please ensure all electric vehicles, such as golf buggies, Taylor Dunns and forklifts, regardless of the year of manufacture, are fitted with an appropriate restraint before 30 June.

WorkSafe expects all market-approved vehicles to be fitted with appropriate restraints by 30 June 2023 and will be visiting the Melbourne Market to check compliance. For any queries regarding the restraint requirement, please contact WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089.

Children in the Market

School holidays are right around the corner so don’t forget to register your kids for the upcoming Children in the Market which will run on Tuesday, 4 and Wednesday, 5 July.

ABC Retailer of the Year, People’s Choice Award

The customer votes are in and this Wednesday we will be announcing the prestigious A better choice! Retailer of the Year, People’s Choice Award for 2023!

This award recognises Australia and Victoria’s favourite fruit and veg shops, as voted by their customers. Additionally, the award serves as a medium to achieve significant media exposure for the A better choice! brand, and the top-ranking stores.

We will be holding an event in the market on Thursday 6 July at 6am. Open to all Market users, the event will celebrate Victoria’s favourite greengrocers in the Market.

Industry News

Banana disease Panama TR4 is spreading in Queensland

The latest positive Panama TR4 test result came from a commercial plantation in the Tully Valley last month. It is a disease that enters banana trees through the roots, causing discoloration in the trunk and leaves. The fungal disease starves banana trees of nutrients, eventually killing the plant.

Click here to read more.

Elders and Harvest Eye make for greater efficiency to Australian root crop growers

A new generation of ag tech has come to Australia thanks to Elders and UK technology business HarvestEye™, offering potato growers access to the unique and innovative HarvestEye™ system. Growers can now collect precise and detailed information about their produce in real time.

Click here to read more.

Melbourne Market Job Board and Community Notices

Ask the MMA

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