This Week in the Market – 5 February 2019

– Stores looking great with A Better Choice branding
– Details of forklift training courses
– Access search tool for business grants and support

Market News

Stores looking great with A Better Choice branding

It’s exciting to share that A Better Choice is heading towards 200 members across Australia! Victoria has had a strong take up, with new members joining the program each day.
Over the last few months, we’ve been busy decking out stores in the A Better Choice branding and they look great! The in-store branding creates a visual connection for the consumer, so what they are seeing online is then replicated in-store. And speaking of online, have you heard we have reached 40,000 Facebook followers!

To book an experienced visual merchandiser to come out to your store and help show you how the A Better Choice branding can work with your own in-store branding email theresa.hunt@melbournemarket.com.au.

Not a member yet? Click the link below to complete your application form, or if you still have some questions about the program click here to book one of our team to come and visit you in your store.

Search tool for business grants and support

Did you know that business.gov.au is a great web resource designed to help businesses easily find tools and services to help them succeed? The website has search functions allowing you to input your business details to find programs that might work for you.
There are three search functions available:
Grants and assistance programs – Find grants, funding and support programs from across government to help your business grow. Click here to access.
Business experts and advisors – You don’t have to do it alone — working with an experienced business adviser or expert can help solve business problems, connect you to funding and grow your industry networks. Click here to access.
Business events & training – Business workshops, networking events, conferences and webinars can help you to improve your business skills and grow your network. Click here to access.

Is your forklift licence up to date?

To help ensure all Market forklift drivers are compliant, the MMA have engaged our training partner, Melbourne Polytechnic, to deliver forklift licence training courses on-site at the Market for your convenience.

Course Structure:
Participants have the option of either morning or evening classes with the course spread over four days. Each ‘class intake’ runs from Thursday to the following Wednesday with a total of 11.5 hours of training and assessment for each person.

Click here to download a flyer which outlines forklift training course dates and times.

For further information or to book a place on the course please contact the Melbourne Polytechnic Short Course Office on 03 9269 8615 or email: shortcourses@melbournepolytechnic.edu.au

Market Charity Golf Day

Funds raised from the Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day go toward supporting DEBRA Australia, a charity that supports individuals, families and carers affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa – the worst disease you’ve never heard of.

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare disease whereby the skin blisters and peels at the slightest touch. Living with EB has been likened to living with third degree burns. It is very painful, and sufferers must be bandaged every day with dressings to protect and medicate their wounds.

Click here to read baby Alexis’ heart-wrenching story of living with EB.

You don’t have to play golf to support DEBRA Australia, raffle tickets will soon be on sale from various locations around the Market, so everyone will be able to support this worthwhile cause, and maybe even win a prize for themselves!

There is still time to register your golf team. To download a registration form, or for more information visit the Fresh State website or contact kate@freshstate.com.au.

Fresh Five

This week we talk to Zenab El Korch.
1. Your role at the Melbourne Market: 
I’m the sales assistant at Art & Style, assisting people around the Market with their uniforms and signage. I also do filming and photography for the Melbourne Market’s social media channels, so if you want to get involved in a video or have new produce lines you’d like featured, feel free to stop me or call into the store.
2. If you could only take three fruits or vegetables with you to a deserted island, which would you take:
I love watermelon, very hydrating for an island. Blueberries are one of my favourite and last would be pineapple.
3. When was the last time you bought flowers for someone (or had them bought for you):
I buy my own flowers pretty much every week, I love making flower arrangements at home, it’s a hobby of mine, so I head over to the flower market all the time. My husband actually said to me “You never leave me a chance to buy you flowers”, I told him that just means he has to get me something else like jewellery.
4. Tell us something that is on your ‘bucket list’:
I want to travel around Europe.
5. What do you most enjoy about working at the Melbourne Market:
I love the atmosphere, it’s like a small community full of friendly faces who love a chat.

Get involved in City of Whittlesea’s Open Farm Day

Expressions of Interest 
City of Whittlesea are inviting local businesses to get involved in an open farm day by:

• Offering a special Open Farm Day menu
• Providing take away picnic hampers
• Offering a farmer’s breakfast, ploughman’s lunch or Sunday Roast
• Conducting tours/talks of particular farming related practices.

Benefits include:

• Social Media promotion
• Listing on event trail map and passport
• Listing on event website
• Mentions in PR program

For more information call 9217 2549 or email tanaya.preece@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

Chinese New Year celebrations

To celebrate Chinese New Year the Chinese Dragon and dancers will be coming through the Market on Thursday 7 February.
The dancers will begin at the South loading dock at 4:00am making their way through the Market and finishing at the Flower Market at approximately 6:00am. Email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au to register your interest in a blessing or to find out more.

Industry News

Consumers go mad for Aussie mangoes

The Australian Mango Industry Association claims this season’s crop of mangoes is the tastiest on record.
Mangoes each year are measured by the industry for flavour ratings, and year-on-year mangoes continue getting tastier.
This season, the mangoes have scored consistent ratings as high as 18/20. In 2018, the industry introduced a new procedure enabling growers to measure the fruit while still on the trees without damage. Using a sophisticated scanner, growers can measure the starch content of mangoes during the ripening process – and the higher the starch levels, the greater the taste profile of the fruit. Read more at Good Fruit and Vegetables.

Key Dates

Thursday 7 February – Chinese New Year Market Celebrations

Ask the MMA

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