This Week in the Market – edition 188 – 17 July 2018

In this week’s Market News:

  • See all the pictures from Children in the Market
  • We talk to Tony Gallace in the Fresh Five
  • Get the latest retail data on your product lines through a free online dashboard

Market News

Children in the Market


During the July school holidays approximately 60 children visited the Market. The Children in the Market events, held during the school holidays, allow families to bring their children to experience the workings of the Market and in some cases, expose them to the family business they may one day be running. To see all the happy snaps from over the two days, visit the Melbourne Market website.

The Fresh Five

This week we talk to Tony Gallace from Regal Produce.
1. Your role at the Melbourne Market: I’m the Director of Regal Produce; and believe it or not, the boys here actually let me be the boss sometimes. Our main lines are sweet potato and ginger.
2. If you could only take three fruits or vegetables with you to a desert island, which would you take: That’s difficult because I love all my fruit. I like peaches and nectarines (any stone fruit really) and for a vegetable I’d take baby shanghai which is also known as buk-choy. It’s hard to pick just three.
3. When was the last time you bought flowers for someone:  That’s an easy one, this morning! I bought flowers for my wife which I do every week, this morning I picked her out some tulips. I mostly get flowers from Halit Flowers here at the Market, they’re good people.
4. Tell us something that is on your ‘bucket list’: I was born in Italy, I came out here when I was just two years old, so that’s 68 years ago. I’d like to go back to Italy to see the house I was born in because it’s still there.
I’m actually getting pressure from the better half to go next year, so it might actually happen. I’m a historian, I love history so going to Italy and Europe would be just great.
5. What do you most enjoy about working at the Melbourne Market: The people, everyone in here knows how to have a laugh, it’s diverse and multicultural. I’ve been here 26 years and I just love it.

Improving safety in the breezeway

As reported last week, the MMA is undertaking a project to realign handrails and update the line marking within the breezeway between the trading floor and flower market. The purpose is to improve traffic management and stop forklifts rounding the blind corners at speed.
Yesterday temporary barricades were placed between the existing handrails and the canopy pillar (see picture) on both the north and south end. The temporary barricades will be in place until the project is complete.
MROs will be stationed at each end of the breezeway for the next few days to educate drivers and direct traffic.

Industry News

Get the latest retail data on your product lines through a free online dashboard

The Harvest to Home online dashboard delivers the latest retail data on Australian vegetable sales.
The latest round of monthly data has been uploaded to the Harvest to Home dashboard, including insights on the performance of Asian vegetable varieties, kale and fresh salad.
Bookmark the free Harvest to Home dashboard and check in regularly to see the latest insights about the performance of your vegetable lines.

Could you be eligible for a business grant?

Business grants can provide valuable resources for organisations.  They can help businesses to become more productive, employ more people, improve market access and increase their scale, diversity and profitability.
There are an array of business grants available at any one time that can be found just by doing some internet searching. Below are links to some current grants that may be of interest to Melbourne Market businesses.
Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme – An Australian Government financial assistance program for aspiring and current exporters
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry free grant briefing sessions– Provides information on where to find available grants as well as tips and tricks you need to complete your application
Research and Development Tax Incentive – Opportunities for tax offset for eligible research and development activities
Advanced Manufacturing Early Stage Research Fund – Calling for Australian manufacturers to submit project ideas

Applications to attend Asia Fruit Logistica are now open

Exporting vegetable growers are invited to apply to attend the premier fresh produce tradeshow in Asia. Asia Fruit Logistica will be held from 5–7 September 2018 at the AsiaWorld-Expo convention centre in Hong Kong.
The program will involve the following opportunities:

  • Exhibiting and showcasing your products to international fresh produce buyers
  • Building your knowledge of the local supply chain and participating in a market insights tour
  • Gaining introductions to retailers, importers and wholesalers in the market

Applications close Friday 20 July 2018.
Click here for further information.

What’s the difference between broccoli and boogers? 
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Kids don’t eat broccoli.

Ask the MMA

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

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