This Week In The Market – 20 August 2019

– Have you taken the ‘eat or donate challenge?’
– Four reasons to use the A Better Choice website
– Southern states record driest January to July

Market News

Have you taken the ‘eat or donate’ challenge?

You may have spotted people around the Market being filmed trying to quickly ‘scoff down’ a piece of produce and wondered what they are doing!
Market users have been getting involved in the ‘Eat or Donate’ Challenge, which is the brainchild of Jebrail ‘JB’ Elkhatib and Brandon Motta from Market Wholesalers, Fresh Growers.
The boys came up with the idea, where people from the Market are challenged to eat an entire piece of produce in 60 seconds or donate to the Epilepsy Foundation. The boys have a personal connection to the foundation with Brandon and his sister both suffering from the condition.
Our generous Market community has been getting involved with a smile on their faces and their wallets open with the boys raising $25,000 so far through the challenge itself as well as beanie sales and their AFL raffle draw.
Close to 40 challenges have been completed to date with people from all areas of the Market taking part. When asked who has copped the most difficult challenge, JB thinks Frank Buggee from Big Valley got a tough one, attempting to eat a whole rockmelon, skin and all.
The challenge concludes with the Fresh Growers annual White Asparagus Auction where the boys hope to raise even more money towards the cause.
You can check out the challenges on the Fresh Growers Instagram page here: https://www.instagram.com/freshgrowers/ and be sure to get along to the White Asparagus Auction on Thursday 29 August at 5 am.

Upcoming Advisory Committee Meetings

You’ve had the chance to hear from all of our advisory committee members over the past months in our Market profiles, and in three weeks, the groups will each be coming together for a regular quarterly meeting.
Speaking to your advisory committee members is an effective way you can raise key issues with the MMA.
To find out who your advisory committee members click here, and talk to them about the Market issues that affect you before the next meetings in early September.

Weekly words of wisdom

Find out how the City of Whittlesea can help your business

The City of Whittlesea will be delivering a presentation to talk to Market users about how local government can support your business.
Come along to get connected with Council’s online jobs portal, where you can post vacancies to local jobseekers, and to meet Council’s business support officers.
When: Wednesday 21 August 2019, 7:00 am
Where: Conference Room, Ground Floor, Market Administration Building

A Better Choice website jam-packed with sharable content

Just in case you haven’t already checked it out, below are four reasons to check out the A Better Choice website.

1. RecipesA huge drawcard of the site is the recipe section. Whether consumers are on the hunt for a pasta dish, kid-friendly meals, vegan or vegetarian dinner options – A Better Choice has you covered! One of the best parts of the recipe section is that you can filter all the recipes by meal type, season, or category.

2. Seasonal produce

With so much produce available year-round, it can be difficult for consumers to know what’s in season and when but don’t worry, that’s where we come in! The Seasonal Produce section lists all fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts and gives consumers an indication of what months and seasons they’re available in Australia.

3. Articles

From the benefits of particular fruit and veg, right through to advice on how to get little ones to eat veggies, the article section on the A Better Choice website is jam-packed with valuable articles.

4. Find your local store

The A Better Choice program supports over 500 independent retailers and wholesalers across the country who supply more than half of Australia’s fresh produce each year. Consumers can find their nearest retailer, using the A Better Choice directory here.

Jump on the website today and start sharing our content to your social channels.

Melbourne Market is a drug and alcohol-free worksite

The MMA is committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all Market users. When individuals are affected by drugs or alcohol, it impairs their judgement, and this is why, like many other industrial worksites around the country, the Melbourne Market is a drug and alcohol-free worksite.

This means, any person on Market Land must not have a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) over 0.00%, or be under the influence of prohibited drugs at any time.

Our drug and alcohol policy is in place to ensure the safety of all Market users.

Industry News

Indonesian mangoes set to be imported to Australia

Indonesian mangoes will soon be imported into Australia in a move that has divided opinion among North Queensland growers.
The new agreement would allow Indonesian mangoes to be imported into Australia for the first time, but may also pave the way for two-way trade between the countries, thus boosting Australia’s export market.
Indonesian media reports state that the first mangoes could be imported during October after an agreement was reached during an agricultural summit in Melbourne in February.
Read more on the Good Fruits and Vegetables website.

Southern states record driest January to July

Southern Australia just had its driest January to July on record, but parts of Victoria have been arid for much longer.
Rainfall from April 2018 to July 2019 was in the lowest 10 per cent of historic records for most of Gippsland and the Mallee, and parts of the north-central and north.
2019 is currently tracking as Victoria’s (and Australia’s) warmest on record for daytime temperatures.
Read more on the Stock & Land website

Key Dates

• White Asparagus Auction – Thursday 29 August
• Fresh State Gala Ball – Saturday 31 August
• Grand Final Public Holiday – Friday 27 September

Ask the MMA

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