This Week in the Market – 22 January 2019

– Major changes to forklift licencing
– Early buyer trial extended
– Social media results exceeding expectations

Market News

Major changes to forklift licencing

Do you operate a forklift or employee people that operate them in your business?
Forklift licence requirements have undergone extensive changes, and it affects every Market business that uses a forklift.
In recent years WorkSafe Victoria made changes to Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (OHS) 2017 in relation to forklift licences, where operating a forklift is now classified as high-risk work.
Previously, when you obtained your forklift licence it never expired, however to operate a forklift you must now hold a high-risk work licence, and these must be renewed every five years.

What does this mean for you?
If you or your staff have an outdated forklift licence (pictured below) you will need to upgrade to a high-risk work licence by 30 April 2019. Worksafe Victoria dictate that to upgrade to the high-risk work licence and continue to legally operate a forklift, each forklift operator must complete a certified training course and pass a competency-based assessment.
The table below indicates what you, or your staff, are required to do based on the type of licence you currently hold.

We will be holding an information session where you can ask questions and find out more about the licence requirements and training course.
Information session:
Wednesday 30 January
6:00 – 6:45 AM
Ground floor conference room, Melbourne Market administration building

The MMA strongly advise that a representative from businesses that operate forklifts attend the session, to ensure you are aware of your legal and OHS obligations.

Social media results exceeding expectations

In just a few short months, A Better Choice has been well received by consumers, with posts being viewed by over a million people and notching up over 30,000 followers and growing rapidly. Consumers are especially loving the fun facts, tips and recipes.

During January, A Better Choice social media channels will focus on a back-to-school campaign, featuring delicious and creative ways to encourage children to eat fruit and vegetables.

Check out @abetterchoice on Facebook, @abetterchoiceau on Instagram and now also on Pinterest. Make sure to ‘like’ and ‘follow’ to see what everyone is talking about.

Not a member yet? Click the link below to complete your application form.

Early buyer permit trial extended

The concept of an early buyers’ permit was introduced in October 2018 in response to feedback received during the Market trading hours consultation. All revenue generated via the early buyers’ permits is going to the A Better Choice program to influence consumer behaviour to shop at their local greengrocer.
Originally the three-month trial was scheduled to conclude in January 2019.
What has become apparent is that the initial time frame was insufficient to fully operationalise the concept within the Market community. More time is required to collect data and insights to inform decision making about the merits of the Early Buyers’ Permit.
As new Market Advisory Committees are currently being formed and are forecast to have their first meeting in early March, the MMA would also like to engage with them about the concept going forward, sharing the data and insights currently being generated.
Therefore the MMA is extending the trial period until 31 March 2019.
Buyers can apply for an early buyers permit by downloading an application form.
As always, the MMA welcomes your input into this concept – you can provide feedback by sending an email to submissions@melbournemarket.com.au.

Calls for nominations to join the new advisory committees

The Melbourne Market has four advisory committees who work with the MMA to advise on matters relating to Market operations and the fresh produce industry.
The three year term of the current advisory committees has reached an end and therefore nominations are now being called for interested individuals to hold office for a period of three years commencing 1 March 2019 for the following committees:
– Fruit & Vegetable Wholesalers Committee
– Fruit & Vegetable Growers Committee
– Fruit & Vegetable Retailers Committee
– Flower Industry Committee

Past and current advisory committee members are eligible to reapply.
Nominations should be submitted in writing no later than 3.00pm on 1st February 2019 to the Chief Executive Officer, Box 1, 55 Produce Drive, Epping VIC 3076.
Nomination Forms and Terms of Reference are available from the MMA Administration Office or can be downloaded from the Melbourne Market website by clicking here.
For any questions please call David Whitchelo on 9258 6100.

Chinese New Year celebrations

February 5th, 2019 will mark the start of ‘the year of the pig’. In the Chinese zodiac the pig represents luck, overall good fortune, wealth, honesty, and general prosperity.
To celebrate Chinese New Year the Chinese Dragon and dancers will be coming through the Market on Thursday 7 February.
For those businesses wanting a blessing during the dance please email submissions@melbournemarket.com.au and be sure to have your offering for the dragon ready on the day!

Australia Day Public Holiday

The Market will be closed on Monday 28 January for the Australia Day public holiday. To celebrate Australia Day the MMA are hosting a free sausage sizzle for the Market community on Friday 25 January. Make sure to head to Loading Bay North from 3:30am where you’ll find David Whitchelo and the team personally cooking your breakfast!

Market Charity Golf Day

Have you registered your team yet for the Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day?
There is still time for teams of four to register before the early bird cut-off on February 1, and all teams that register before this date will receive two free drink cards per player.
If golf is not your thing but you’d still like a great night out and support this wonderful cause, there is also a dinner and entertainment ticket option you can purchase.
It’s sure to be a great night with plenty of laughs, particularly with Sam Kekovich hosting as MC and comedian Gabe Rossi performing.
To download a registration form, or for more information visit the Fresh State websiteor contact kate@freshstate.com.au.

Fresh Five

This week we talk to Tony Pettinella.
1. Your role at the Melbourne Market: 
I’m the director of Fresh Berry Company, we’re a family business that my father started in 1967. Our main lines are berries, mainly strawberries, raspberries and blueberries but we don’t just sell berries. We also specialise in cherry tomatoes, mini roma tomatoes and carrots. I believe we sell the best variety of carrot in Australia, it’s really juicy and tender, with a bright orange colour all the way through, it’s worth a try.
2. If you could only take three fruits or vegetables with you to a deserted island, which would you take:
I love white nectarines, they’d be first on my list. Being a deserted island I’d assume it will be quite warm, so I’d take mangoes and watermelon, my two other favourite summer fruits.
3. When was the last time you bought flowers for someone (or had them bought for you):
I buy them pretty regularly for my wife. When my nephew heads over to the flower section I get him to pick some up for me to take home. When I give them to her she always says the same thing “who bought these for you this time”, she knows I don’t pick them out myself.
4. Tell us something that is on your ‘bucket list’:
Well I don’t know what I’d like to do, but I know what’ll probably happen, I’ll probably win Tattslotto the week before I die!
5. What do you most enjoy about working at the Melbourne Market:
I don’t think you’ll find another industry where you’ve got such a good group of people. In an office you might have people climbing the career ladder, playing politics; in construction there can be a lot of rough characters. The quality of the people in this industry is second to none.

Industry News

Extreme temperatures burn stone fruit from inside out

Extreme heat in South Australia is leading to heavy losses for stone fruit growers, with their produce burning from the inside out. Read more on the ABC website.

Key Dates

Friday 25 January – Australia Day BBQ
Monday 28 January – Australia Day public holiday Market Closed
Thursday 7 February – Chinese New Year Market Celebrations

Ask the MMA

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