This Week in the Market – Edition 71

In today’s This week in the Market, Advisory Committees are announced, Labour Day and Easter holiday trading hours confirmed and donate don’t dump, find out more about how you can help Zoos Victoria. 

At the Market

Advisory committee members announced!

Congratulations to the new members of the Market advisory committees.
 

Advisory Committees work with the MMA to advise on matters relating to Market operations and the fresh produce industry. They are your voice in the Market, so be sure to say hi and have a chat.

The MMA looks forward to a productive year ahead working with the Market advisory committees.   



Pooling equipment enforcement now in place
 
Have you lost your access to the Market this week? Chances are your business hasn’t registered their pooling equipment account or statutory declaration with the MMA.
 
To have your access reinstated, you must:
 

• Register for a pooling equipment account following the steps listed on the MMA website, or
• Complete at Statutory Declaration stating you do not use pallets and submit this to the MMA via the Customer Service Centre.

Pooling equipment (pallet) accounts are required as the theft of pallets is estimated to be costing the Market community millions of dollars annually, increasing the cost of doing business at the Market.

Opening an account is free.
 
Contact the Melbourne Market Customer Service Centre on cashiers@melbournemarket.com.au for more detail.   


Labour Day and Easter Trading Hours

Fruit and Vegetable Market

Labour Day Monday, 14 March – CLOSED
Tuesday, 15 March – 3:30am to 7:30am (one hour earlier than usual)

Thursday, 24 March – 3:30am to 7:00am (normal for a Thursday)
Good Friday, 25 March and Easter Monday 28 March – CLOSED
Tuesday, 29 March 3:30am (one hour earlier than usual)

Flower Market

Labour Day Monday, 14 March – CLOSED

Thursday 24 March – 3:30am to 7:30am (normal trading hours)
Good Friday, 25 March – CLOSED
Easter Saturday 26 March – 4:30am to 7:30am (normal trading hours)
Easter Sunday, 27 March and Easter Monday 28 March – CLOSED
Tuesday 29 March 3:30am to 7:00am (normal trading hours)

Warehousing access over Easter

Warehouse access remains unchanged over the Easter period. The Easter trading hours only apply to the trading floor. Access for warehouse tenants is 24 hours 7 days a week. 

Office accommodation available for lease

Enjoy the benefits associated with having office accommodation at the Market.
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. 

Industry News 

Donate don’t dump! Zoos Victoria need your help. 


Do you have organic waste that’s headed for the recycling station? Before you dump your organic waste, consider whether it’s suitable to donate to Zoos Victoria. 

Zoos Victoria visit the Market four times a week collecting valuable donations of produce to feed the animals at Melbourne Zoo, Werribee Zoo and Healesville Sanctuary.

Colin from the Zoo is in charge of sourcing fresh produce for the animals. They use all types of produce but he’s on the look out for more exotic items such as, micro greens, herbs, edible flowers, exotic fruits, berries, figs, stone fruit and more. “These items enrich the lives of our animals giving them new smells and tastes”.  

How you can help

If you’ve got produce at your store or warehouse that is not salable, but still fit for consumption, give Colin a call and he can swing past your store to collect the goods between 6:00 – 8:30am. If possible, keep the produce in its original packaging, and please no garlic or rhubarb leaves. 

Not only will you be helping our Zoo animals, you will also avoid paying disposal fees for organic waste!

To arrange a pick up call Colin on 0400 893 843. 



Banana Point of Sale now available – make your store sing!

Don’t forget to pick up your banana point of sale kit from the collect point outside the Customer Service Centre. 

The pack includes posters, recipe cards and a shelf wobbler.







Melbourne Market Golf Day

Registrations are now open for the Melbourne Market Golf Day to be held on Friday 15 April 2016 at Heidelberg Golf Club. If you’re still deciding whether or not to sign up, check out these great features planned for the day:

• Chance to win a BMW and Toyota forklift with not one, but two hole in one competitions,
• Play alongside AFL legends Brock McLean and John Platten,
• All players receive a showbag including a polo shirt and cap,
• Great prizes to win on the day, plus the winners of the monster raffle, including a BMW, will be drawn at the dinner,
• Registration includes course fees, carts, lunch and dinner, and
• All proceeds donated to DEBRA Australia.

So what are you waiting for? Download a Golf Day Registration Form today. 


New Zealand Study Tour for Vegetable Levy payers. 

Vegetable levy payers who are practicing or interested in precision agriculture are encouraged to express their interest to attend a study tour of New Zealand.

From 22-31 May 2016, a delegation of growers will be traveling to New Zealand to attend the 2016 LandWISE conference, leading vegetable growing operations such as Vida Farms, A.S Wilcox & Sons, Drumpeel Farms and a range of research sites on the North Island.

For further details or to register your interest, contact Ian Layden, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland at ian.layden@daf.qld.gov.au or 0409 495 737.

This tour has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia using the National Vegetable Levy with co-investment from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Queensland and funds from the Australian Government. Please note, there are limited places available and expressions of interest close on 10 March 2016.

Key dates

Melbourne Market Golf Day

Friday 15 April, 2016. Book now.