This Week in the Market – 5 April 2022

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In this week’s Market News:

– Register now for Children in the Market
– Melbourne Market Open Day: Volunteers needed
– Toyota Forklift Special Offer

Market News
Register now for Children in the Market

 
We are very excited that after two long years, we are finally welcoming children back into the market these school holidays! Children in the Market is a favourite event for many market users and we can’t wait to welcome families back into the market for a fun morning! 

The Children in the Market event will be held on Tuesday 12 and Wednesday 13 April. Children must be pre-registered before the event and accompanied by their parent or guardian at all times. To register please complete the registration form here and print and return to customer service. 

As well as ensuring children enjoy their time at the market our biggest priority is safety. We ask all market users to be especially vigilant and be conscious that children will be onsite over these two days. 

Melbourne Market Open Day – Volunteers needed
The MMA will be hosting a Melbourne Market Open Day on Thursday 8 May 5am – 8am.
The Open Day is a chance for those working in the hospitality and fresh produce industry to come and experience the Melbourne Market and learn how they can access the widest range of fresh produce and cut flowers in Victoria. 

We are currently looking for volunteers to help us showcase the market to its fullest potential.  

3 – 4 Fruit and Vegetable wholesalers who stock an exotic line, that you would be happy to speak about and donate roughly 30 pieces of produce for taste testing (depending on the group size)
1 – 2 Flower Wholesalers who would like the opportunity to speak to the groups for 10 minutes about their business, as well as make a donation to participants
1 – 2 Provedores who would like the opportunity to speak to the groups for about 10 minutes about their business, delivery catchment, order process etc

If you fall into one of the above categories and would like to get involved, please contact Zac Egan

Easter Trading Hours
 
The Melbourne Market will be closed on public holidays during the Easter and Anzac Day period as follows:
– Thursday 14 April – regular trading hours
– Friday 15 April (Good Friday) – Market Closed
– Saturday 16 April – Flower Market Open
– Monday 18 April (Easter Monday) – Market Closed
– Tuesday 19 April – regular trading hours
– Wednesday 20 April – regular trading hours
– Thursday 21 April – regular trading hours
– Friday 22 April – regular trading hours
– Saturday 23 April – Flower Market open
– Monday 25 April (ANZAC Day) – Market Closed

MMA board visits Fresh Berry Co.
Last week the MMA board and management team travelled to Fresh Berry Co. in Coldstream. Hosted by John, Tony, Robin Westmore and Tony’s daughter Chantelle Pettinella, the day was spent viewing the operations of the farm and packing sheds, to gain a better understanding of the business operations. 

The group toured the farm which included, the sorting, grading and packing lines as well the crops themselves. The team learnt about the unique compostable packaging used for snacking, tomato and berry lines, and rode the Pettinella Express. 

The MMA board and management team are keen to do more external site visits to better understand the needs and challenges facing the industry. If you are interested in hosting the MMA board and management team for a tour, please email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au.



Toyota Forklift Special Offer

Toyota are currently running a special offer for the Melbourne Market. Purchase any new forklift from Toyota and you’ll get a chance to WIN 1 of 5 LHE150 Electric Pallet Jacks. With a lithium-ion battery, smooth manoeuvrability and ease of use, it’s the freshest forklift deal going around.

Click here for more information.

Henry’s Mercato New Store Opening
Henry’s Mercato celebrated the successful opening of its fourth store at Waverley Gardens over the weekend. MMA’s Chief Operating Officer, David Whitchelo attended the opening to congratulate the Henry’s Mercato team. 

The fresh and vibrant store was well received by locals, drawing in a large crowd who were blown away by the impressive and extensive array of produce on offer.




Upcoming Promotion!
A better choice! is excited to announce its next big campaign will be rolled out to stores very soon. From May, you will be able to reward your customers for shopping at their local greengrocer, in particular, we know Aussie’s love to travel and you can help them get away. Keep an eye out over the coming weeks for further details.If you want to be one of the first stores activated with point-of-sale material for this exciting new promotion, please contact Zac

Job Board
With staffing shortages an issue faced by many businesses Australia wide, the MMA job board aims to provide a platform for market users to promote current job vaccines. The job board is open to all A better choice! retailers to utilise. 

The MMA will be reaching out to external job networks to see where opportunities between job seekers and retailers can be matched. If you are currently recruiting, please submit details of current job vacancies here to be advertised on our job board and passed onto external job networks. 

Tote Bag Order

A reminder we are currently seeking expressions of interest for the purchase of A better choice! branded tote bags. A better choice! have been able to secure the low price of approximately $1.30 + GST, depending on total order quantity.
Delivery is expected for June 2022.

To commit to a tote bag order and secure this extremely low price, please contact Zac.

Government Grants – Webinar
Federal and state governments are currently offering a wide range of grants and financial assistance programs to small and medium sized businesses.

On Tuesday 12 April 2022, 2.00pm – 3.00pm, Melbourne’s North Food Group are hosting a webinar via Zoom to discuss government grants that could benefit your business.

Topics include:
– AusIndustry R&D Tax Incentive Program (RDTI)
– Capital Equipment Grants for Victorian manufacturers
– Austrade Export Market Development Grant (EMDG)
– AusIndustry Entrepreneurs Program (EP)

Register here.

Government Grants for Training Extended
Great news! The Government has extended the apprenticeship and trainee program funding until 30 June 2022. 

Act now and you can still be eligible to receive a 50% subsidy on an employee’s wage, up to $7,000 per quarter when you enroll your staff in the Certificate III in Greengrocery. 

The next program course starts in May 2022.
 
Call Theresa on 9258 6191 to discuss the eligibility of your current and new staff.

Industry News
Vietnam joins the Australian Agriculture Visa Program


Australia has signed with Vietnam the first bilateral Memorandum of Understanding under the Australian Agriculture Visa Program. Vietnam’s participation in this program strengthens and extends the already rich people-to-people links our two countries share. Click here to find out more. 

Expected increase in Australian citrus output will necessitate strong export strategy


The Australian citrus industry is bracing for a high increase in fruit production. Several speakers at the Citrus Technical Forum 2022 at the Sunshine Coast in March pointed to big crop volumes in years to come, which necessitate a strong export strategy.
Click here to find out more. 

Australian mango season finishes around a million trays up on last year

Australian mango production has recovered significantly from the low year last season, with better than expected volumes and quality, matched by a growing demand for the fruit.

With the 2021-22 season now finished, Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) CEO Brett Kelly says the previous season was around 7.2 million trays, and this year, while final numbers are being finalised it will be between 8-8.2 million.
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. 
View full online job board

Emilio’s Finest
Accounts Assistant

Duties include:
– Entering invoices and data entry;
– Accounts Receivable and Payable;
– Monitoring emails and responding to queries in a timely manner;
– Filing, photocopying and scanning documents and storing them appropriately;
– Answering and redirecting inbound phone calls when necessary;
– Liaising with Business Managers;
– Supplier Statements & Transport;
– Office Hours 6am-2pm Monday-Friday. 

Our Ideal Candidate:
– Literate in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel)
– Excellent written and verbal communication skills
– Ability to work in a team and autonomously with high attention to detail

Interested applicants should contact Mark Featherston on 0421 887 510.

G&M CAMMARANO & SONS
Forklift Driver
G&M CAMMARANO & SONS are seeking a forklift driver two – four nights a week.
Must have knowledge of market and regulations.
Please visit Tony on stand 715/716 or contact on 0400 551 795.

Scicluna’s
Start a new career or progress as a Delivery Driver with Scicluna’s! Training provided. Pay review after 3 months.
 
We also have vacancies for Drivers and Pick Packers in Dandenong South and a Deli Manager, Deli 2IC, Café Supervisor and Barista in Mentone. 

Come and join one of Melbourne’s most respected and growing food merchants and work for a company that cares about its people!

For more information or to apply, please visit our new look website!ShareTweetForward

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

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