This Week In The Market – 28 September 2021
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| In this week’s Market News: – Second Pfizer doses, your questions answered – Keeping the Melbourne Market Community COVID safe – Moon Bean relocation delay Market News Melbourne Market second dose vaccination hub  The countdown is on, with Austin Health returning in just under two weeks, administering second jabs to help ensure the people and businesses of the Melbourne Market are protected from COVID. Austin Health will be onsite for a one-week ‘mega-blitz’, with the Vaccination Hub to operate each morning from 5 am – 12 pm from Monday 11 October to Friday 15 October. When the Vaccination Hub reopens, the priority will be for market access card holders to receive their second doses. With COVID cases rising across Victoria, nursing resources are in high demand. The number of nurses available for the Melbourne Market vaccination hub will impact the number of vaccinations able to be administered. Please read our FAQs below and if you have further questions, please send them through to submissions@melbournmarket.com.au for us to include in future communications. FAQs I have received my first Pfizer dose; however, it wasn’t at the market vaccination hub. Am I able to get my second dose when the hub returns? If you are a market access card holder, you are eligible to receive your second dose at the upcoming vaccination hub, regardless of where you received your first dose. Can market access card holders receive their first dose at the hub? With limited doses available per day and nursing resources limited, priority will be given to those receiving their second dose. There may be an opportunity to receive your first dose at the hub if demand quietens, however, this is not guaranteed. We would highly recommend those looking to secure their first vaccination do so at one of the state-run vaccination hubs. You can make a booking here. Does it matter if you had your first dose? The second dose of Pfizer is effective when administered at least 21 days after the first dose. Can the Vaccination Hub open earlier? Unfortunately, Austin Health only have scope to operate the hub between 5 am – 12 pm for five days. Can I bring in non-market staff (retail staff) for their second vaccination? As the hub will be operating for a shorter period and with doses in high demand, the vaccination hub will most likely only be open to access card holders. Any person who received their first vaccination at the Melbourne Market can book in for their second Pfizer dose at any state-run clinic. Keeping our Melbourne Market community COVID safe There are currently six known active COVID cases who attended the Melbourne Market over the past fortnight. Since the onset of the pandemic in 2020, the MMA has had plans in place, as part of our business continuity plan, to deal with any COVID outbreaks in the market, all with the aim of keeping the market open and businesses trading. An email regarding the MMAs plans to keep the market COVID safe and operating was sent out yesterday. In case you missed it, you can view this email here. A reminder, the most effective way to reduce transmission is to follow COVID safe rules. – If you feel unwell, do not attend the Melbourne Market. Get a COVID test and isolate until you receive a negative result – Get your COVID-19 vaccination – Wear your face mask over your mouth and nose at all times – Ensure you are keeping 1.5 metres from others – Do not shake hands or come into close contact with others – Inform the MMA on 0408 334 555 if you, or a member of your business, tests positive for COVID-19 Moon Bean relocation delay Last week we announced the relocation of Moon Bean Café. Due to the current construction industry closure, Moon Bean Café will no longer relocate on Tuesday 28 September. Moon Bean will continue to trade at its current location until further notice and we will update you as soon as a new moving date has been determined. New mural celebrating fresh produce journey Market users would have seen the amazing mural on the back of the Melbourne Market administration building. The once drab grey wall has been transformed into a colourful celebration of fresh produce. Painted by Justine McAllister, the mural has been designed to capture the journey of produce and flowers from paddock to the consumer. Timelapse of the MMA mural located on the back of the Melbourne Market administration building.  A better choice! Youth Sport Initiative The next A better choice! campaign starts this week on Friday 1 October! Through the campaign, retailers will be helping local kids and sporting clubs get back on their feet. To be part of this amazing initiative that will see $25,000 given away to youth sports clubs across Australia, you must register your store and collect your point-of-sale pack from the Customer Service Centre. Packs are limited, so make sure you register as soon as possible to ensure your store is able to give back to the local community! Each state will be giving away 10 x $500 sponsorships to selected entrants, to contribute to new equipment, uniforms, or whatever they need! Customers nominate their team/club/individual in-store, simply by scanning the QR code on posters and flyers. To participate in the campaign and to receive point-of-sale kits please register here. For more information on the campaign, be sure to check out the video below. A better choice! Youth Sports Initiative – How it works Advertise your business around the market Want to tell the market community about your new products, what’s in season or a special offer? Why not advertise on the TV screens around the market? TV screens are a key communication tool, delivering messages to thousands of buyers daily. If you are interested in learning more please contact Theresa Hunt, Marketing Specialist, Melbourne Market Authority. Email: theresa.hunt@melbournemarket.com.au Phone: (03) 9258 6191 Certificate III Greengrocery Program The first round of students have almost completed their Certificate III in Greengrocery. The Certificate is a great opportunity to upskill and reward staff with a nationally recognised qualification. The MMA still have scholarships available for those wanting to undertake the upcoming Certificate III in Greengrocery. There is also generous government funding (up to $28,000 per year) available to businesses with team members enrolled in the course. With the next course starting soon, now is a great time to register and upskill your staff. For expressions of interest please contact Theresa Hunt, Marketing Specialist, Melbourne Market Authority. Email: theresa.hunt@melbournemarket.com.au Phone: (03) 9258 6191 Office space available  Prime office space is available to lease in the main administration building at the Melbourne Market. The unique space is close to the Gate 1 main entrance, has glass frontage and offers exposure to both the internal market community as well as having public access. The space available is 76 square metres in size with shared kitchen and amenities, secure access pass entry and visitor car parking. Do you know a business whose offering would appeal to market users? If so, please call us to discuss the possibilities on 9258 6100 or email property@melbournemarket.com.au M80 upgrade road closures Edgars road Altona-bound entry ramp closure The Edgars Road Altona-bound entry ramp will be closed from Monday 27 September to mid-November. This will include closing an Altona-bound lane between Edgars Road and the Hume Freeway so that work can be undertaken safely.Detours will be in place via Mahoneys Road to access the M80 Ring Road and via Edgars Road to access the Hume Freeway. Please refer to the map for recommended detour routes.  Text M80 to 0499 073 073 to sign up for SMS updates. Industry News New on-farm accommodation plan to boost workforce Farmers across Victoria can now invest in worker accommodation on their farms without the need for a planning permit, under a new streamlined planning approval process adopted by the Victorian Government. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas announced an amendment to the Victoria Planning Provisions that exempts farm businesses from requiring a planning permit for on-farm accommodation for up to 10 people. Read more on Victorian Farmer. Supporting the next generation of farmers to succeed The Victorian Government is calling on young farmers to take their careers to the next level, with expressions of interest open for the 2022 Young Farmer and New Entrant Mentoring Program. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas announced that eight positions are available in the 2022 program which pairs young farmers with experienced farmers in a mentorship, overseen by a skilled farm business consultant. The Program is open to farmers aged 18 to 35 years to develop the skills they need to better manage their farm businesses, identify risks and develop strategies to build resilience and achieve their business goals. Read more on Victorian Farmer. Supporting mental health in our farming communities The Victorian Government is supporting the mental health of farmers across the state, rolling out projects to build resilience in more than 25 local government areas. Programs will be run from the Bass Coast to Buloke, from the Gippsland Lakes to the Grampians – and Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas was at Elmhurst Bush Nursing Centre in western Victoria to see the benefits of the initiative. Read more on Victorian Farmer. 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 Picker Packer – Simon George & Sons Simon George & Sons is a family run business serving high-quality fruit and vegetables to Australia’s leading hotels, restaurants and institutions. We currently are looking for experienced Pick Packers at our Epping warehouse to work Full Time and Part Time (30 hours) The job requires you to collect items from our cool rooms and warehouse from pick lists as well as maintain cleanliness of the cool rooms and warehouse area. You must be physically fit to perform correct packing techniques. Early starts (12am-2am) Monday to Friday with regular Saturday shifts. Applicants must be reliable, keen and hard-working and will be eligible for a sign-on bonus. Please submit your resume to rbolge@simongeorge.com.au Are you a Fruitere or a Foodie? We are seeking enthusiastic full-time Drivers and Pickers to join our lively team in Dandenong South. You will either pick and pack customer orders with great care and precision or deliver fresh produce to our customers in the hospitality industry, whilst providing exceptional customer care. You will need strong product knowledge and experience in a relevant industry and/or role. We are also seeking Baristas in Mentone and Retail Assistants in Sorrento. For more information on any of these roles or to apply, please visit www.sciclunas.com.au/careers Come and join one of Melbourne’s most respected and growing food merchants and work for a company that cares about its people. Ask the MMA If you’ve got a question for the MMA email it to: submissions@melbournemarket.com.au. Follow us  |