This Week in the Market – Edition 70
In today’s This week in the Market, Pooling equipment deadline is approaching – don’t get caught out, plain pallet disposal fees and for green grocers, banana point of sale is now available.
At the Market
Don’t get caught out – Pooling equipment enforcement commences this Friday 26 February
As you should be aware, part of the Market Operating Rules, all fruit, vegetable and flower related businesses that use hardwood pallets need a ‘pooling equipment account’.
Over the last few weeks, you have been reminded to open and register your pooling equipment account with the MMA. Find out how to open an account and download relevant forms on the MMA website or contact the Customer Service Centre between 4.00 am and 11.00 am Monday to Friday on 03 9258 6123.
If you haven’t registered your pooling equipment account or statutory declaration by Friday 26 February your access to the Market will be suspended.
Don’t use pallets?
You can sign a statutory declaration stating that you do not use pooling equipment. Full details are available here. We will have a Justice of the Peace available in the Customer Service Centre on the following days:
Wednesday 24 February – 5:00 am to 7:00 am
Friday 26 February – 5:00 am to 7:00 am
Statutory declarations are also required by Friday 26 February or your access to the Market will be suspended.
Plain pallet disposal – only $10!
Did you know that you can now dispose of plain pallets at the recycling transfer station for only $10 per pallet?
If you leave a pallet anywhere on Market Land you will be charged a $50 (ex GST) disposal fee. If the pallet disposal includes other waste such as boxes of produce, you will incur an additional cost of $200 (ex GST) for rubbish dumping.
So avoid this fee and take your plain pallets to the recycling station.
For more details view the recycling page on the MMA website.
Office accommodation available for lease
A range of office accommodation options are available in the Administration Building at the Market. Please contact Matt on 0448 908 821 to discuss your requirements.
Hit a Hole in One to kick off 2016 at the Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day
The popular Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day is heading our way on Friday 15 April 2016 with a brand new venue and a chance to win over $140,000 in prizes! All proceeds going to theDebra Foundation.
Head over to the website for full details or download a registration form now! Keep your eyes peeled for the Melbourne Market Lions Club who will be in the Market selling raffle tickets in the coming weeks.
For more details contact Sally Piper at Fresh State on 03 9408 6627 or sallyp@freshstate.com.au.
Industry News
Banana Point of Sale now available – make your store sing!
Australians number one selling fruit, bananas, are in season and a popular staple in lunchboxes for young and old. There’s no better time to promote Aussie bananas in your store!
The popular banana media campaign is kicking off on 6 March and for the first time, this campaign is supported by great banana point of sale available free for green grocers.
The pack includes posters, recipe cards and a shelf wobbler.
Collect some for your retail store from the Point of Sale collection point outside the Customer Service Centre.
2016 National Horticulture Convention
AUSVEG, Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) and Central Markets Association of Australia in partnership with Fresh Markets Australia (CMAA-FMA) are excited to announce that Queensland’s horticultural body Growcom and industry representativePersimmons Australia Inc will be joining the team to co-host this year’s National Horticulture Convention.
The Convention will be jam-packed with events, inspiring speakers and a large trade show targeted at vegetable, potato, apple, pear and persimmon growers along with wholesalers and market traders.
Whether you’ve attended the Convention previously or if you’re looking to attend for the first time this year, the 2016 Convention will have something for everyone and we encourage all industry members to get involved.
To download the Delegate Registration Brochure simply click here to find out all the exciting details of this year’s Convention.
To register online, please click here and follow the prompts.
Have your business featured in FreshPlaza – open field vegetable special!
FreshPlaza are looking for businesses to feature in their Australia and New Zealand Open Field Vegetable special in March.
For more information on how you can feature, contact nicky@FreshPlaza.com.
Fruit and Vegetables transformed into art
Check out what Sydney artist Dangling Xiao can do with a few pieces of fruit and vegetables. View more of these amazing food scultupes on her Instagram page. 
Market Business Highlight
Market Espresso Bar- Drive up window
Have you visited the Market Espresso Bar located in the Flower Market? If you’re on the go and in a rush, they’ve installed a handy drive-up window in the breeze-way between the fruit and vegetable stands and the Flower Market for your convenience.
Nice one!
The Northern LPG station is now equip with three printers. Increased capacity for printing receipts will now make it easier to reconcile business expenses.
Key dates
Pooling equipment accounts enforcement
Commences Friday February 26
Melbourne Market Golf Day
Friday 15 April, 2016. Book now.