This Week in the Market – 7 February 2023

– Annual Access Card Renewal
– A better choice! Victorian Strawberry competition winners
– Valentine’s Day Flower Marketing Campaign

Market News

Annual Access Card Renewal

Each year the MMA ask Market businesses to review all access cards linked to the business account and remove those that are no longer required before statements are distributed.

Prior to 28 February, all businesses should log onto their My MMA Portal account and select any access cards they would like to deactivate to avoid unnecessary charges. A short video explaining how simple it is to complete this process via the customer portal can be viewed below.

The My MMA Portal has been thoughtfully designed to provide your business with a single digital platform to view your business account details and manage interactions with the MMA at your own convenience.

If your business is yet to set up a My MMA Portal account, contact the MMA via info@melbournemarket.com.au to nominate a business representative and read and sign the terms or use.

Restraints required on all market vehicles

WorkSafe Victoria advised that all market-approved vehicles must have an appropriate restraint/s fitted. This requirement applies to all electric vehicles, such as golf buggies, Taylor Dunns and forklifts, regardless of the year of manufacture.

If your business owns any market-approved vehicles, you must contact your preferred service provider to organise appropriate restraints to be fitted to the vehicle.

Melbourne Market service providers are now informed of this WorkSafe requirement and can advise and fit an appropriate restraint/s to your electric vehicle.

WorkSafe expects that all market-approved vehicles will be fitted with appropriate restraints by 30 June 2023. For any queries regarding the restraint requirement, please contact WorkSafe Victoria on 1800 136 089.

To support Market businesses in complying with this WorkSafe requirement, the MMA will reimburse the cost of the Electric Vehicle Examination Checklist Fee (up to $99) for the first 100 compliant checklists submitted. Businesses will be required to pay for any restraint/s fitted to their vehicles.

There is no additional MMA registration fee if your vehicle is currently registered with both Vic Roads and MMA; additional registration fees will only apply if registration has expired.

If you have any questions on the reimbursement and MMA registration, please contact Customer Service on 9258 6123

Valentine’s Day Flower Marketing Campaign

The retro ‘OG’ love note campaign is live!

Listen out for radio advertising on Nova 100 and Smooth FM encouraging all lovers to purchase flowers this Valentine’s Day, the ‘OG’ love note.

If you sell flowers in a retail setting, you can get involved in the campaign by:

1. Use the hashtag #FlowerstheOGLoveNote on all Valentine’s Day posts
2. Use “Give Flowers The OG Love Note” imagery on your socials
3. Make your own fun posts with the “Give Flowers The OG Love Note” theme
4. Remember to tag @melbourne.market and @nationalflowercentre in all your posts

Victorian Strawberry Promotion, winners announced!

A better choice! and Victorian Strawberry growers have made plenty of customers happy with some great prizes with our recent campaign!

The Major Prize Winner of a Luxury Yarra Valley Escape went to a lucky customer from Biviano and Sons.

Five $200 Voucher Runner up prizes were gifted to customers at their local store:

• Provincia Food Store
• Gangemis Fruit and Veg
• The Fruit Men
• Finer Fruits Shepparton
• Rosanna Fine Produce

The following retail stores have also won themselves a $200 gourmet hamper for getting involved with the social media component of the promotion:

• La Bella Rocca
• Toscanos
• Coltivare
• Senserricks Fruits and Flowers
• Gippsland Fresh Wholesale

“It was great to have the Victorian Strawberries promotion in La Manna Fresh, supplied by A better choice! The promotional staff member was great with our customers and, most importantly, helped us sell more strawberries!”
Anthony Patti (pictured) – La Manna Fresh

Zac will be in touch over the coming week to organise all prizes with customers and retailers.

Outsource packaging while supporting the local community

Brite has operated in Broadmeadows for over 40 years and employs over 150 people with disabilities. One of the main operating divisions Brite offers is Pak, a manufacturing, packaging and assembly, warehousing, and food packing business providing a range of services to many local and multi-national clients.

To find out more, you can get in touch with Agatha via email or phone on 9301 7300.

Jobs Victoria Business Support

Are you looking for staff? Jobs Victoria offers free recruitment support to connect businesses and employers with new staff. Your business can post vacancies on the online hub or access Tools and Resources on workforce planning, employing staff and hiring options.

Local recruitment providers can be found at Recruitment support in your local area | Jobs Victoria.  If you require assistance locating a local recruitment provider, please email simon.scrase@whittlesea.vic.gov.au at the City of Whittlesea.

Single-use plastics ban

Last week on February 1, the sale and supply of certain single-use plastics, including drinking straws, cutlery, plates, drink-stirrers and sticks, expanded polystyrene food service items, drink containers, and cotton bud sticks, were banned in Victoria.

To help you understand and comply with the new law, the National Retail Association are holding weekly Q&A sessions every Friday at 11am until Friday, 24 February 2023, book your free session.

Roller Door Installation

On Friday, 10 February, from 10am, the existing Rapid Roller Door between Buyer’s Walk stores 85-87 and 88-QBRE will be replaced. Access will be barricaded and, through traffic redirected to an alternate route.

Industry News

BASF launches Efficon insecticide into Australia first

Australia will be the first global market for a newly launched insecticide targeting piercing and sucking insect pests.

BASF has announced Efficon insecticide has been approved for use in vegetables by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and will be available in April.

Click here to read more.

Melbourne Market Job Board and Community Notices

2008 Refrigerated Renault Trafic Van for Sale

2L turbo Diesel Automatic, EV300 Iceman chiller, 322,000km , Long wheel Base: fits 2 full pallets, One owner/driver since new. Full service records and in great condition with new tyres and front nudge-bar

Please contact Graham on 0417 033 098

Ask the MMA

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