This Week In The Market – 9 April 2019

Edition 222: Register for Children in the Market

In this week’s Market News:

– Meet your advisory committee members
– Register for Children in the Market
– Free strawberry promotional packs available for retailers

Market News

Meet your advisory committee members

Over the coming weeks, we will be profiling each of our advisory committee members for you to get to know a little more about them.
This week we spoke to Ricky Mazaris, a new member of the Growers Advisory Committee.
Your role at the Market:
I look after sales at Mazcorp as well as overseeing that everything runs smoothly from the farm to the retailer’s shelf.
What are you most passionate about in the industry?
Making good relationships with people and making sure customers are satisfied. I’m also passionate about the quality of fruit and veg as at the end of the day it ends up on someone’s plate.
What do you think are important issues for the industry and Market itself?
The Market and the entire industry need a focus on trying to influence buying behaviour. Getting people out of the habit of buying from supermarkets like Coles and Woollies and back to their local fruit shop
What are you positive about for the future?
Seeing future change. I think and hope we will see less supermarket dominance and more greengrocer dominance, but we as a Market community need to support and push that to make it happen.
Why did you want to be a member of the advisory committee?
To try an influence change and make it happen. It’s our future, so it may as well be in our hands. We have a great group on the grower’s advisory committee, with some of the older blokes who have the experience to guide us, but with some young blood coming through, it’s a good balance.
What’s something most people wouldn’t know about you?
Not much, I’m an open book. I like fishing, Queenscliff and Portarlington are favourite spots.

Advisory committees work with the MMA to advise on matters relating to Market operations and the fresh produce industry and committee members are a great source of information and advice for Market users. To find out who all the members of the advisory committees are, please visit the MMA website.

Children in the Market

Children in the Market is back these school holidays, giving everyone a chance to bring their kids into the Market to see Mum or Dad in action at work.
Children will be allowed to enter the Market on Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 April, however it is essential you register any children planning to attend by no later than Monday 15 April by handing in a completed registration form to the Customer Service Centre.
Click here to download a registration form.

Free giveaway for your customers

Strawberries Victoria has an exclusive offer for A Better Choice members with free in-store gifts for customers.
When your customers purchase two punnets of Victorian Strawberries, they will receive a free magnetic shopping pad for the fridge.
You can pick up promotional packs from the Customer Service Centre which contain 50 of the magnetic shopping lists as well as posters and point of sale material to promote the in-store giveaway.
But hurry, there are only 30 available for our A Better Choice members!

Still haven’t joined A Better Choice? With over 100 Victorian greengrocers on board, what are you waiting for?
Click the link below to book a personalised appointment and find out everything you need to know about the program.

Click here to book an in-store appointment

Reap the benefits by entering into a Warehouse agreement

Have you considered the benefits of securing a warehouse on site at the Market? Entering into a warehousing lease agreement can allow businesses to consolidate operations at the Market to enhance efficiency; as well as providing 24/7 access.

Warehouse 7 still has a small amount of vacancy with two of the 292 sqm modules, and eight of the 55sqm internal + 60sqm module warehouses remaining.

Don’t miss out, for further information about Warehouse 7 download an information pack or contact Sally or Rowena from the MMA property team on 9258 6142 or property@melbournemarket.com.au.

Catherine Velisha: Business owner on the rise

Well done to Catherine Velisha from Velisha Wholesalers who featured in the latest AUSVEG grower profile. Catherine speaks to AUSVEG about the challenges, opportunities and the future direction of her business. Be sure to read this great article on an up and coming industry leader via the AUSVEG website.

Easter and Anzac Day trading hours

The Market will be closed on public holidays during the Easter and Anzac Day period as follows:

Thursday 18 April – regular trading hours
Friday 19 April, Good Friday – market closed
Saturday 20 April, Easter Saturday – Flower Market to remain open
Monday 22 April, Easter Monday – market closed
Tuesday 23 April – regular trading hours
Wednesday 24 April – regular trading hours
Thursday 25 April, Anzac Day – market closed
Friday 26 April – regular trading hours

If your parking permit only allows access on a day that falls on one of the public holidays, and you would like to come to the Market on an alternative adjacent day, you will not be charged for parking and can enter the Market. However please note, your regular bay may not be available. Please see a Market Relations Officer on arrival for instruction.

Industry News

Vegetable export data shows strong growth

Strong international demand saw Australian vegetable exports lift by more than 15 per cent last year. The export figures, recently released by Ausveg, show fresh vegetable exports grew to $281 million in 2018 on the back of healthy growth in key export markets in Singapore (7.5% value growth), Japan (8.7% value growth) and Thailand (54% value growth).
Read more on the Good Fruit and Vegetables website.

The humble white potato is set to become the next big wellness trend

For years they’ve been seen as a bad carb, but the humble white potato could be making a comeback!
A good source of vitamins C and B6, as well as folate, potassium and magnesium amongst other things, white potatoes are also one of the easiest foods to digest.
With this latest wellness trend gaining traction, don’t be surprised if you see social media influencers soon giving the Keto diet the thumbs down and the potato diet the thumbs up. And let’s face it who wouldn’t prefer a roast potato over steamed kale…
Read more by clicking here.