This Week In The Market – 27 July
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| In this week’s Market News: – Do your part, follow COVID restrictions – Customer portal trial already providing valuable insights – Moon Bean cafe relocating Market News Current COVID restrictions The Melbourne Market is still operating under stage 4 restrictions. The following rules are currently in place. – Fitted face masks are mandatory and are required to be worn at all times while on market land, in both indoor and outdoor locations. – Market cafes are providing a takeaway service only; therefore, no cafe seated areas are available for use. – Gates 2 and 3 and the P1 pedestrian turnstile are closed, with all vehicle and foot traffic required to come through Gate 1; this allows Market Relations Officers to ensure that all market users are wearing a face mask. – Only one person per electric vehicle or buggy, no passengers. – Non-essential market visitors are restricted from entering the market We ask you to be vigilant and continue to follow COVIDSafe practices. – Social distancing must be strictly adhered to; you must keep 1.5 metres from others wherever possible. – Do not attend the Melbourne Market if you are feeling unwell. – If you are experiencing COVID symptoms, get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result. Later today, we expect the Victorian Government to announce either an extension or easing of current stage 4 restrictions. The MMA will distribute a separate COVID communication to the market community if there are any changes to Melbourne Market COVID rules. Change to COVID penalties As communicated last week, the MMA has increased the severity of penalties for non-compliance for mask-wearing and social distancing. 1st offence – official warning recorded on users file 2nd offence – 24-hour suspension 3rd offence – 14-day suspension Please do your bit for the market and wear your face mask correctly, and call out those who are not doing the right thing – we’re all in this together. Customer portal trial already providing valuable insights  As reported a few weeks ago, the trial of the new ‘My MMA Portal’ is underway, with 14 market businesses currently using the system. Those using the portal have provided some key insights and valuable feedback to the MMA to improve the system before it is rolled out market-wide. Since the trial began, the MMA has already: – Improved the visibility of online statements – Linked a Glycol usage portal for each relevant business Some businesses taking part in the trial have already used the portal to ensure business details are correct. For example, they have updated employee contact details and deleted unused access cards with just the click of a button. We have received some other great suggestions from those taking part in the trial. We will continue to look at the ongoing improvement of the portal, adding new features to improve efficiency for market users over the life of the system. If you are interested in joining the trial and providing the MMA with valuable feedback, please email aflannery@melbournemarket.com.au Moon Bean relocating to central location  In another exciting transformation project, construction has begun in the vacant commercial tenancy on the Buyers’ Walk, next to Art and Style. The space, which previously housed a wholesale deli store, will become the new home of Moon Bean cafe. The new cafe location will have access from both the Buyers’ Walk and the trading floor, offering seating for up to 40 patrons. Several forklift parking bays will also be added to the north courtyard close by the new cafe location, providing continued easy access for forklift drivers. Joel and the team at Moon Bean are using the relocation as an opportunity to diversify some of their offerings, and they will begin selling wholesale fresh bakery lines. Construction is already underway and scheduled to finish in just a few weeks at the start of September. Moon Bean will operate for a short period from a pop-up cafe in front of their new location during the transition. So what is happening to Moon Bean’s current tenancy? Just like tenancy 51 was transformed for Barkers in 2020 (old Food Fellas cafe), the space will be converted into a fruit and veg trading store. Preist Bros have already secured the location and will be expanding their market footprint into the newly renovated store by the end of October.  Canopy update Construction has progressed on the solar canopy project this year through rain and shine, and we’re now halfway through the build. Getting to this point has taken three months, but with the power of timelapse cameras, you can see the build unfold in just 50 seconds on the video below! While there is still a little way to go to complete construction, we have begun thinking about permanent use of the new undercover bays. If you are a market buyer looking to access a parking bay under the new canopies, please register your interest by emailing customer service at customerservice@melbournemarkets.com.auWe’re at the half-way point. Watch the three-month build unfold in 50 seconds. Next Certificate III in Greengrocery intake beginning September  We’ve been delighted with the number of enquiries coming through from people looking to enrol in Certificate III in Greengrocery. The great news is that the course’s next intake is not too far away, commencing in September. So if you haven’t enquired already, now is the time to secure your spot. What will you learn? The course is delivered over nine months, with fortnightly three-hour online training sessions and seven days of face to face delivery. During the course, you’ll refine your skills in a range of areas, including produce knowledge, health and workplace safety, customer service, cash sales and advice, floristry requirements, and communications and interpersonal skills. Benefits for business owners When business owners invest in their employees learning, it brings a range of benefits to the business. Supporting your staff to achieve a recognised qualification will help increase employee morale and engagement, and chances are, your employees may bring back fresh and innovative ideas to implement in-store. Don’t forget, as an added bonus, the Government subside wages up to 50% of an employees wage for 12 months (up to $28,000)* for eligible employees enrolling in the course. Email Theresa for more information and to find out how to register. It’s never too late to get qualified; find out more at www.melbournepolytechnic.edu.au/study/certificate-iii/greengrocery/ Industry News Citrus yields and quality high but soured by labour shortage and glut  The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has taken its fight for fruit pickers to be guaranteed minimum wage to the Fair Work Commission. Currently, fruit pickers are being paid “piecework rates”, with pay based on the volume of a crop picked. The union supports these arrangements continuing, but wants the award rate set to guarantee the minimum wage of $25.41. Read more on ABC News. 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. Fresh Produce Delivery Drivers – Sciclunas We are seeking enthusiastic full-time Fresh Produce Delivery Drivers to join our lively team. You will be based at our Dandenong South warehouse and deliver fresh produce to our customers in the hospitality industry whilst providing exceptional customer care. Excellent product knowledge and strong experience in a relevant industry and/or role are essential. You will hold a current valid driver’s licence and be responsible for delivery runs around Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula, starting between 3am and 5am. For more details on this or other vacancies with Scicluna’s Real Food Merchants, please visit https://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  |
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