This Week in the Market – 21 December 2021

Edition 339 View this email in your browser
In this week’s Market News:

– New 40-year inductees honoured at celebration wall launch 
– $1000 worth of prizes up for grabs when you complete the market survey
– Christmas trading hours

Market News



40-year celebration wall official launch

Last Thursday, we officially launched our 40-year celebration wall, where the latest inductees were proudly presented with their 40-year gold card and certificate. The wall honours all market users who have been part of the community for over 40 years, making the market what it is today.
We were privileged to have 64-year market veteran Luis Gazzola speak at the event, to talk about what the market community means to him and how he felt when he received his gold card several years ago. 
Congratulations to the latest inductees, and to all of those who are celebrated on our 40-year wall.
If you are approaching 40 years in the market or have already reached the milestone, we’d love to hear from you. Download and complete the 40-year service award form from the website. 

Missed the presentation on Thursday?
The event was filmed, so if you couldn’t make it on the day, you can watch the presentations below. $1000 worth of prizes to win when you complete the market survey
Every year the MMA distribute the market satisfaction survey to get feedback and insights on how we’re going, what’s working, what can be improved and how we can assist your business. The survey takes approximately 7 minutes to complete. 

This year, in the spirit of Christmas, all valid access cardholders who complete the survey will go into the draw to win one of three fantastic prizes. **T&Cs apply. 

1st prize: Hisense A6G 50″ 4K UHD LED Smart TV (valued at $695)
2nd prize: 
Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 3 Portable Bluetooth Speaker (valued at ($299)
3rd prize: 
Homedics Handheld Physio Massager (valued at $99) 


Already completed the survey? No worries! All respondents who meet the terms and conditions will be entered into the draw. 

Be quick, and breakfast will be on us*
As a bonus, the first 75 people to complete the survey will receive a $15 voucher to use at participating Market cafes!
Click here to complete the survey

Please note: each person can only complete the survey once.
*You must enter your Market access card number to be in the running for a café voucher.
**Competition runs from 10/12/2021 until 31/12/2021 and is open to valid Melbourne Market access cardholders. Entrants must have a valid access card with up to date payments to enter the draw. Excluding MMA staff, contractors and their relatives. Winners will be drawn at the Melbourne Market Authority office on 10/01/2022. Winners will be notified by email (or SMS if email is unknown) by 14/01/2022. In the event a winner cannot be contacted after 7 days another winner will be drawn. 

Santa Claus is coming to town



Be on the lookout for a special visitor in the market this Thursday morning, who will be giving out some sweet treats and spreading some festive cheer with his helper elves.  
Santa will be rattling donation tins again this year, collecting funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital. 

Christmas trading hours

Thursday 23 December – 3:30am – 7:30am, regular trading
Friday 24 December – 2:00am – 7:30am, – extended trading hours
Saturday 25 December – MARKET CLOSED, public holiday
Monday 27 December – MARKET CLOSED, public holiday
Tuesday 28 December – MARKET CLOSED, public holiday
Wednesday 29 December – 2:00am – 7:30am, – extended trading hours
Thursday 30 December – 3:30am – 7:30am, regular trading hours
Friday 31 December – 2:00am – 7:30am, – extended trading hours
Saturday 1 January – MARKET CLOSED, public holiday
Monday 3 January – MARKET CLOSED, public holiday
Tuesday 4 January – 3:30am – 7:30am, regular trading hours

Buyers will have access to the Melbourne Market on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 December to collect pre-arranged produce orders only.  It is important to remember the buyers’ walk, trading floor, and flower market will be closed, as these are not mandatory trading days. Some wholesalers and warehouse tenants may allow access to their premises for buyers who have made individual arrangements to collect produce. 


The final day for Market donations to food charity FareShare in 2021 will be 23 December. Collections from back of Store 6 (northern end) will resume on 3 January 2022.

The final day for Market donations to food charity Foodbank in 2021 was 17 December. Collections from back of Store 148 (southern end) will resume on 10 January 2022.

Are you on the My MMA Portal?



Email Amanda Flannery to set up a username and password



A better choice! team visiting stores around Victoria
Zac from the Victorian A better choice! team has been out and about this week, visiting some of the runners up stores from the Retailer of the Year award to present them with certificates. 
These stores were nominated by their customers through the ‘shop and win’ promotion earlier this year. 

Retailer of the Year
Alexandra Fruit and Veg
Runner Up
Toscano’s of Hawksburn
Toscano’s of Kew
Cranbourne Market
Tunstall Fresh
Big Watermelon
La Bella Rocca Fruit

Well done again to all the stores who got involved in the promotion. 

Zac will continue to visit A better choice! member stores over the months ahead and looks forward to getting out to see you all.

 



From the A better choice! team in Victoria, we wish the market community a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. 

We look forward to bringing you some exciting campaigns and new initiatives to support the fresh produce supply chain in 2022!
First intake of Certificate III in Greengrocery students graduate 


The first group of students have graduated from the Certificate III in Greengrocery and were recently celebrated with a small presentation and lunch.
Anthony Natoli (pictured) was one of the graduating students and has gained a lot from the program. “Having been in the industry for a while, I found the course to be informative and a great way of affirming the things I do. It was a refresher but also assisted me to think of new elements to my business.  The course covers content for all areas and helps existing workers in the industry and would be an amazing head start for those new to the business. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed it.” said Anthony.

Melbourne Polytechnic is grateful to the industry for its support and looks forward to continuing the program in 2022 with more businesses enrolling students in the course.   

There is still generous funding available for businesses that enrol students into the program, but these opportunities will end soon. Speak to Theresa Hunt to find out more, email greengrocery@melbournemarket.com.au

2022 Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day



To find out about sponsorship opportunities or to register a team, to download a registration form.

Industry News
Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement now signed 

The Australia–United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA) was signed on 17 December 2021. 

Key A-UKFTA horticulture market access outcomes are:

• Immediate elimination of tariffs on most fruits and vegetables, including tariffs on almonds, macadamias, and other nuts; avocados, cherries (except sour cherries); dried fruits, citrus fruits, carrots, and table grapes.0
• Elimination of tariffs on other key interests over three years, including tariffs on apricots, nectarines, peaches, strawberries, asparagus, beans, tomatoes, apples (except cider apples) and pears (except perry pears).
• Elimination of tariffs over 7 years for the remaining products.

Click here to find out more. 

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. 

Scicluna’s
Scicluna’s is hiring! Come and join one of Melbourne’s most respected and growing food merchants and work for a company that cares about its people!
We are now hiring customer focussed full-time Delivery Drivers to deliver fresh produce to the hospitality industry, Pick Packers and more! 
For more information on these or other roles or to apply, please visit our new look website! www.sciclunas.com.au/careers 
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 © 2021 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 

For all enquiries call 03 9258 6100

7AM - 3PM, MON - FRI