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BML’s Results Released

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) recently announced its results for the 2012/13 financial year.

The result was an overall net profit after tax of $9.912 million. The operating result, net of the impact of revaluations, was a net operating profit after tax of $7.267 million. These are record results for the company and a significant improvement on the previous financial year.

Year in Review

In this, the final edition of Fresh Source for 2013, we review the year that was. The company maintained its ongoing focus on site upgrading with major projects progressed in relation to road works, fire detection upgrading, the replacement of electricity meters and electrical distribution board upgrading. Stage 1 of a major project to replace and raise a number of flood affected switchboards is underway, with this project to be ongoing well into 2014.

A number of major projects also progressed.

Work continued on the upgrade of the Commercial Centre with a new outdoor dining area established in addition to improvements in car parking and traffic flow.

South Gate West civil works were completed with the installation of all services infrastructure.

We also laid the groundwork for a number of projects to be progressed in 2014 with emergency lighting, early warning detection systems and a major switchboard replacement project due to commence in the New Year.

This year saw Brisbane Markets launch its online Training HUB, moving all of its papers based inductions to electronic. This has provided the ability to take inductions 24/7 anywhere, anytime.

Our state-of-the-art commercial demonstration kitchen in the Fresh Centre, which secured a five star rating by the Brisbane City Council in 2012, continued to grow from strength-tostrength with a recent FoodWorks exhibition held in the facility.

2013 saw BML enter into a Platinum Partnership with Diabetes Queensland. This partnership saw Brisbane Markets donate almost $40,000 to Diabetes Queensland as a result of funds raised at this 2013 Mango Auction.

50 years

Next year the Rocklea based Brisbane Markets site turns 50!

BML will be hosting a number of events throughout the year to celebrate this significant milestone.

Board of Directors

This year also saw changes to the Brisbane Markets Limited Board of Directors.

The Hon Mike Ahern announced his retirement effective from the close of the company’s November Annual General Meeting and saw Stuart Lummis joining the Board (see page 12).

Mike was appointed as an Industry Director in 2002, prior to the acquisition of the Brisbane Markets from the State Government.

BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED ABN 39 064 983 017

PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets, Rocklea, Queensland 4106

e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au

w: www.brisbanemarkets.com.au

ADVERTISING AND EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES

The Editor

Brisbane Markets Limited

p: 07 3915 4200 or 1800 631 002

e: admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au

He was a strong advocate for industry based ownership of the Markets and a passionate supporter of BML.

Mike played an extremely important role in helping to guide the Board, offering strategic advice and insights, working to give the company profile and recognition and being a mentor.

He has been a tremendously valued contributor and dedicated member of the BML Board. I thank Mike for all his contributions over the years.

Mandatory Horticulture Code of Conduct

The Federal Government’s support for the recently announce Voluntary Retail Code of Conduct should signal a preparedness on the part of the Federal Government to move to fix the broken and discredited Mandatory Horticulture Code of Conduct. If there ever was an argument to remove existing Federal Government red tape, the Horticulture Code of Conduct is it – poorly written, unworkable and costly to implement.

Season’s Greetings

On behalf of BML and Brismark, I wish everyone a safe and happy festive season, and after the challenging year that we have had, above all, a healthy and prosperous 2014.

Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer

FRESH UPDATES

FRESH FROM THE MARKETS

Changes to BML’s board members p6

New Brisbane Markets board

member welcomed p6

Solid performance in 2012/13 financial year p7

About Brisbane Markets p7

Call to repeal unworkable horticulture code p8

Ag Minister hears of cracks in Code p9

Meet our new partner –

Diabetes Queensland p10

A fruity start to the relationship p11

Take the symptoms seriously p11

MANGO AUCTION FEATURE

A king’s ransom for a tray of mangoes p12

FRESH WHOLESALING

We wish you a very Cherry Christmas. p16

A fruity Christmas surprise p16

FreshTest program a ‘clean’ approach ......... p17

FRESH EXPORT

Australia must look to Asia for export ......... p18

Who is the AHEA ............................ p18

Hong Kong Trade Commissioner briefing p19

Second Trade and Market Access Forum p19

FRESH INDUSTRY

A focus on trade and market access p20

Bundaberg told to “Get Ready” p20

Finalised Systems Approach called ICA-48 p21

Industry news bites p22

FRESH BUSINESS

Asset protection a serious consideration ...... p24

Managing safety in your workplace ........... p25

FRESH FOR KIDS

Great report card for school visits ............. p27

FRESH RETAILING

Retailers of the Month winners p28

How capsicums coloured our winter p29

FRESH EVENTS

What’s in the calendar? p30

Holiday season trading hours. p30

Foodbank readying for Christmas p30 p4

Markets’ shopping centre upgrade

The Brisbane Markets shopping strip, known as the Commercial Centre, on Sherwood Road, is a hive of activity downstairs and up.

The shopping area was refurbished this year with outdoor eateries, new lighting and even a new flow for traffic ensuring safer pedestrian access. The work is now concentrating on the upstairs offices and the roof.

An elevator has been installed and the 49-year-old building’s first level and roof is having an overhaul to spruce up the level of office accommodation that will be offered to tenants.

The work should be completed in early 2014.

Safe work week celebrations

Safe Work Week 2013 was celebrated in October with Brisbane Markets tenants and visitors taking part in a range of competitions, safety demonstrations and promotions.

It was a statewide event aimed at encouraging all working Queenslanders to get involved in health and safety practices in their workplace and become better educated on the issue.

The event was great timing, consolidating much of the information that has been presented in workshops and bulletins leading up to the week with work health and safety a Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) priority.

A number of forklift drivers were given LPG refresher training from gas supplier, Origin, while others learned how to keep safe on site through reading flyers and TV safety reminders at the Site Service Centre and the BML/Brismark reception.

Competition winners were:

Forklift Safety Competition – Dan Green, H E Heather

Safety Quiz Competition – Steve Nicholas, Alfred E Chave Tenant Initiatives Competition – Fresh Produce Group (FPG), Favco and Gollagher Bros

One of the entries to the Commercial Centre’s level one where refurbishment works are underway.

Emotional reunion for Market dad

Brisbane Markets employee Damon Bruun will be one of the happiest men on the planet this Christmas after a mercy dash to the Philippines helped unite him with his missing wife and young family caught in Typhoon Haiyan.

His search for his family, listed missing for more than six days was an emotional one, with the last words heard from his four-year-old boy, Hayden, before all contact was lost: “Daddy I’m scared”.

The Australian media, including Channel Nine’s A Current Affair, documented his flight to Manila, the wait to find transport and his eventual reunion with wife Maria and children Keesha, eight, Hayden and one-year-old Carter.

Mr Bruun’s Brisbane Markets colleagues rallied around him to provide additional leave and funds to make the mercy dash. His family has been living in the Philippines while they try to save money for a permanent move to Australia.

A tasty expo for FoodWorks

Brisbane Market’s Fresh Centre training rooms and its five-star Market Kitchen were transformed into a busy food and equipment hub in November with the staging of the FoodWorks Queensland Fresh Food Expo.

Guess who is turning 50?

No one likes missing a 50th celebration, so get your pens out now and mark Friday, 7 March 2014 in your diary for the Brisbane Produce Market 2014 annual gala dinner

Most in the Markets community know this to be a fun night where they can raise their glasses and enjoy an evening out. However, the 2014 event will offer even more to celebrate, being 50 years since the Brisbane based markets moved to the Rocklea site.

While the anniversary date will be in August, the celebrations will last all year with the first major event acknowledging Brisbane Markets past, its growth and its present.

There is even more to celebrate at this year’s gala dinner. Each year the Brisbane Produce Market uses the event to announce the winner of the coveted Fresh Tastes Retailer of the Year Award.

The event attracted 30 FoodWorks suppliers and more than 100 visitors who watched demonstrations, sampled foods, signed up for special buys and rubbed shoulders with other franchisees.

It’s the first retail expo of its type held in the Fresh Centre and not the last, with another FoodWorks event expected in 2014.

Part of the Fresh Centre foyer is transformed for the FoodWorks Queensland Fresh Food Expo.

David Bruun with his family back on Australian soil after a heart rendering search for them in the typhoon devastated Philippines.

markets

Changes to BML’s board members

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has paid tribute to long serving board member and former Queensland Premier The Hon Michael Ahern AO, who retired his directorship at the company’s November annual general meeting.

BML Chairman Tony Joseph thanked Mr Ahern who he called a “guiding light” to his fellow board members.

Mr Ahern was appointed as an Industry Director on 6 June 2002, prior to the acquisition of the Brisbane Markets from the State Government. He became a strong advocate for industry based ownership of the Markets and a passionate supporter of BML.

Mr Joseph paid tribute to Mr Ahern saying his vast experience as the former Queensland Premier and Treasurer, Minister for Industry, Small Business and Technology and Minister for Primary Industries provided BML with extensive contacts at all levels, and on both sides of the government.

“He played an extremely important role in helping to guide the Board in its formative years and has acted as a mentor and elder statesman in the Boardroom,” Mr Joseph said.

“Mr Ahern has fulfilled his role admirably as an industry appointed independent director and has been able to provide a diverse range of viewpoints with respect to the strategic direction of the business.

“He was a strong advocate of BML’s entry into the contestable energy market and also made significant contributions to the establishment of an exporter’s forum in the earlier years of ownership to which he was appointed Chairman.”

Mr Joseph said it was not an understatement to say that Mr Ahern has been a “tremendously valuable contributor and dedicated member of the BML Board”.

In reply, Mr Ahern paid tribute to chairman Tony Joseph, his fellow directors and a ‘great’ CEO, who have shown enormous leadership through the global financial crisis and the devastation of the 2011 flood.

“It has been a privilege to be here,” Mr Ahern told the meeting. “I can still see changes coming for this City Market which has become a Market City”.

New Brisbane Markets Board Member welcomed

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has welcomed a new board member at the November Annual General Meeting with the appointment of Stuart Lummis to take up the independent director’s role.

He will join BML Chairman Tony Joseph and fellow directors Bruce Hatcher, Simon George, Noel Greenhalgh, Tony Kelly, Peter Tighe and BML CEO Andrew Young in guiding the BML’s operations and growth.

Mr Lummis brings to the board more than 30 years’ experience as a senior executive

with 15 years as a non-executive director on several boards.

He has extensive experience in both large publicly listed groups in addition to notfor-profit organisations. He is currently the Director for Building, Planning, Facilities and Property with a not for profit organisation.

Mr Lummis holds a Bachelor of Economics, a Diploma in Project and Construction Management in addition to Post Graduate Diplomas in both Accounting and from the Securities Institute.

Former long serving BML board member and former Queensland

Premier The Hon Michael Ahern AO, who retired his directorship at the company’s November annual general meeting.

New Brisbane Markets Limited Board Member Stuart Lummis.

Solid performance in 2012/13 financial year

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) went back to basics to deliver services and consolidate its position in the 2012/13 financial year, achieving a net profit after tax of $9.912 million.

This is more than double last year’s $4.336 million result.

BML Chairman Tony Joseph said it was in strong contrast to the 2010/11 financial year where BML made a $3.344 million loss as a direct result of the January 2011 flood and a decline in property values.

“It is a credit to the company that its ongoing prudent decision making and sound investment strategies have played a big part in softening

the effects of a number of external influences which have been a drag on the economy and business confidence,” Mr Joseph said.

“Such a recovery must be commended, particularly in a year where the focus was to ramp up services to our tenants.

“The BML Board believes that providing the best facilities and services possible to our tenants provides them with an environment in which they can perform at their most productive capacity, strengthening both their businesses and our industry as a whole.”

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) CEO Andrew Young said BML

performed strongly and delivered a solid result, reflecting the company’s robust business strategy, ongoing commitment to progressing development and back-to-basics focus on service delivery to our tenants and stakeholders,” Mr Young said.

“BML rarely boasts about the work it undertakes on a day-to-day basis to keep this 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operation running like clockwork. Yet the BML Board and my management team take our mission of operating a world-class marketing and distribution hub seriously.”

About Brisbane Markets

More than 4,000 people do business at the Brisbane Markets daily, using the fresh produce from up to 7,000 Australian growers.

More than 600,000 tonnes worth of fresh produce worth more than $1 billion enters the Brisbane Markets annually.

The Brisbane Markets comprises more than 37 buildings with over 250 leases and tenancy agreements in place.

The overall site has approximately 157,699 square metres of lettable area and is also home to a thriving commercial centre that services the local area.

The 77ha Brisbane Markets, located at Rocklea.

What is the Retail Code?

The major retailers recently signed off their support for a draft voluntary Retail Code of Conduct, which has subsequently been endorsed by the Federal Government. The major retailers were instrumental in drafting the code and they have agreed to its provisions.

markets

What is the Horticulture Code of Conduct?

The Horticulture Code is an unworkable mandatory industry code that was imposed on fruit and vegetable wholesalers in 2007. Without support or endorsement by wholesalers, and with warnings that it was unworkable, it has bound the industry sector with red tape, additional costs and worse still, made wholesalers anti-competitive against their rivals.

Supermarkets and exporters are not covered by the Code.

Call to repeal unworkable horticulture code

Australia’s fresh produce wholesalers are demanding the repeal of the anticompetitive and costly mandatory Horticulture Code of Conduct.

The Australian Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Industries is making the call in the wake of news that the retail chains have been successful in having Federal Government support for a voluntary code, which the retail chains assisted drafting.

Australian Chamber spokesman and Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young said wholesalers within the Central Market system are smarting at the inequities of the Federal Government’s approach with repeal of the mandatory horticulture code the only way to make things right.

“The Central Market system is operating under a Mandatory Code which wholesalers did not draft and which the government was told was unworkable,” Mr Young said. “Greengrocers, provedores, restaurateurs and smaller retailers who source their fresh produce from a Central Market must endure this anti-competitive code as additional costs and red tape continue to place a burden on their bottom line.

“This, in turn, reduces their ability to offer consumers competitive prices.

“Our message is simple,” he said. “We simply want the same treatment as the retail chains in being afforded the opportunity to develop a new voluntary code.”

Mr Young said he wanted a code which the wholesale sector has been a party to drafting and which had been endorsed by the wholesaling sector’s representative organisation, the Australian Chamber. “This is not a big ask!” he said.

Who is the Australian Chamber?

Central Markets are located in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Newcastle and are the main mechanism by which independent greengrocers and foodservice businesses source their supplies of fresh produce.

The Australian Chamber represents 430 Market wholesaling businesses, with a combined turnover in excess of $7 billion annually.

Central Market wholesalers are asking the Federal Government to facilitate an industry based approach to the development of a new Horticulture Code of Conduct which promotes good commercial practice, but which is workable, flexible and cost effective in how it is implemented.

Ag Minister hears of cracks in Code

Recently appointed Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce dropped into the Brisbane Markets in November to press the flesh with wholesalers.

The former senator, who was raised on sheep-and-cattle farm and who has lived in regional NSW and Queensland most of his life was keen to hear the issues affecting the Central Markets.

His meeting with Brismark board members soon turned to our industry’s hottest topics – the mandatory Horticulture Code of Conduct, an unworkable piece of legislation that was imposed on fruit and vegetable wholesalers in 2007.

Mr Joyce heard fact after fact of how the inequities of the Horticulture Code have hurt the industry before he offered his advice: Lobby, lobby, lobby to get what the industry wants.

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From left, Brismark chairman Gary Lower welcomed Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce during a Markets’ visit.

Meet our new partner – Diabetes Queensland markets

Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark have established a Platinum Partnership with Diabetes Queensland to promote understanding, communication, collaboration and cooperation in the months ahead.

With such a close alignment between Diabetes Queensland’s and Brisbane Market’s objectives to promote healthy eating, it was a natural ‘fit’ between the organisations.

Who is Diabetes Queensland?

Queensland’s Healthy Shopping website for the advice and tools to get you started.

Diabetes Queensland is making the switch to healthy eating easy, not just for people with diabetes but for everyone!

With so many products being sold as high-this or low-that, Diabetes Queensland believes in arming consumers with the information needed to make smarter choices is essential.

Diabetes Queensland helps thousands of people live well with diabetes by providing much needed information and support.

Around 300,000 people in Queensland are currently diagnosed with diabetes. Each day, an extra 62 people are diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. That’s an extra 22,000 people needing its support every year.

Are you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?

Many Australians are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. While family history and genetics play a role, your lifestyle can also have a significant effect on whether you develop type 2 diabetes.

Taking the pain out of healthy shopping

If your family is ready to embrace a healthier lifestyle, visit Diabetes

The food you put into your trolley goes into your body, so making the right choices in the supermarket is a big part of living a healthier life.

Healthy Shopping is a one-stop online information centre containing all you need to know about nutrition, planning a healthy grocery shop and understanding food labels.

There is even free advice from dietitians, tips to planning the perfect pantry and a guide to physical activity and living well.

On the site you’ll even see the organisation bust some of the popular food myths and test your knowledge with fun, interactive quizzes.

Healthy Shopping is a small and practical way we can help people shop smarter and healthier. Visit the website at www. diabetesqld.org.au/healthy-shopping.

You can assess your risk of developing diabetes by completing a short online screening tool: Visit www.diabetesqueensland.org.au/healthy-living/who-is-at-risk/ assess-your-risk

A fruity start to the relationship

Regular visitors to this year’s Brisbane Markets Mango Auction would have seen some new faces in the crowd stirring up the bidders and staffing an information table designed to check our Brisbane Markets community risk factors for developing diabetes.

Diabetes Queensland joined Life Education Queensland as the recipients of this year’s Mango Auction proceeds with more than $68,500 being divided between them.

It was the start of a new relationship between the Markets community and the busy Queensland based charity.

Over the next two years, watch out for at least two “Are you at risk?” Diabetes Days being held on the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor. There will be quick and easy tests along with information on healthy eating and lifestyles.

The Diabetes Queensland experts will weave a stronger, more targeted

Take the symptoms seriously

The symptoms of diabetes are often not taken seriously. They are subtle and include tiredness, feeling lethargic, feeling thirsty and blurred vision.

These symptoms are often put down to normal daily stresses, age, or

general wear and tear.

Getting people diagnosed early remains a key priority for Diabetes Queensland.

Find out more at http://www.diabetesqld.org.au/

healthy eating message into the Brisbane Produce Market’s Kids Go Fresh and Healthy kids program.

There will also be plenty of cross promotion, and along the way, loads of encouragement for people to eat up their fresh fruit and vegetables.

Diabetes Queensland’s CEO Michelle Trute samples a mango at the 2013 Brisbane Markets Mango Auction.

The Nicolaou family from Fresh Sensations Carindale celebrate their Brisbane Produce Market Retailer of the Year win.

Footballer Ben Hannant launched the Brisbane Produce Market Healthy Lunchboxes book, now sold at greengrocers around South East Queensland.

2013 Mango Kings, Carlo Lorenti, of Clayfield Markets Fresh, and Harry Nicolaou, of Fresh Sensations Carindale, paid $42,000 for the symbolic first tray of mangoes at the annual Brisbane Markets Mango Auction.

Visitors to the Brisbane Markets History Room explore its memorable and memories. The room drew visitors and requests for speakers at Probus and Rotary Clubs throughout the year, all eager to learn more and tell their Markets’ stories.

AUSVEG CEO Richard Mulcahy (left) speaks with Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young during the launch of a Federal Government National Food Plan workshop, held at Brisbane Markets.

“Yassou!” The Channel 7 news and weather team helped turn the Brisbane Markets Trading Floor into a Greek party to welcome in the Paniyiri Greek Festival in mid May.

From left, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland inspectors Tony Sheean and Warren Stackman talk about safety issues on the Brisbane Markets site. 2013 became a year to focus on safety, with tough government regulations an incentive to keep safety top of mind.

Brisbane Market Stationers, Packaging, Tape and Supplies return more than 40 pallets of stock to their warehouse after itself evacuated its Brisbane Markets Commercial Centre shop front after ex-tropical cyclone Oswald landed with force on Brisbane.

Paul Joseph, of Alfred E Chave, sorts through more than 55 tonnes of fresh produce donated by wholesalers and sent to the Bundaberg region to assist after ex-tropical cyclone Oscar wreaked its devastation in January.

Former wholesaler Ern Wood (left), of J E Tipper stands with BML Chairman Tony Joseph on behalf of the Brisbane Markets long service community members, who received awards for 40+ years service at the Brisbane Markets annual gala diner.

in review A year

Rewarding year for Brisbane Markets community 2013

Another immensely rewarding 12 months has passed by the Brisbane Markets, with the outcome from this year’s efforts something to be proud of. This feature takes a look at the year that was and celebrates the milestones that have made the Brisbane Markets community so successful:

PERFORMANCE

• BML posted a net profit after tax of $9.912 million in the 2012/13 year.

ACCOLADES

• The Queensland Business Leaders Hall of Fame announced BML the winner of the 2013 Queensland Business History Award – an acknowledgement to reward businesses that cherish, protect, value and share their corporate story.

DEVELOPMENT

• Completion of the Commercial Centre refurbishment/upgrade project. Works included new concrete footpath, creating covered outdoor dining areas, toilet refurbishment, and lightemitting diode (LED) lighting, improved traffic flow and bin corrals for central waste management.

• The former bottle shop, in the Commercial Centre, was gutted and its footprint increased from 120m2 to 206m2, extending the previously recessed shopfront to be in line with other Commercial Centre tenancies.

• The former Commonwealth Bank building was demolished to make way for a wider entrance to the Brisbane Markets, new parking areas, a safer pedestrian access way, covered outdoor dining area and an extended cafe footprint.

• Completion of the South Gate West site as part of a flood mitigation strategy, involving raising the height of the land with building platforms, construction of a new roadway connecting to South Gate East and Sherwood Road, retaining walls and building pads.

MARKET HAPPENINGS

• BML welcomed Stuart Lummis to the board of directors at the November annual general meeting but farewelled former Queensland Premier and BML board member Michael Ahern AO who retired his position.

• Establishment of two new committees: Brisbane Markets Tenants’ Advisory Committee, and the Brisbane Markets Safety Advisory Committee.

OPERATIONAL

• BML completed 3,516 maintenance jobs and asphalted more than 20,000m2 of roadways.

• Introduction of a Markets intranet information service, known as the Tenant HUB, improving access to maintenance requests, training, forms and general information.

• Introduction of online training courses, available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, including forklift induction courses, and general and buyer induction courses.

• Replacement of all electricity meters in selling floor tenancies (Buildings A, B, C, D and E) with digital meters installed.

• Introduction of an automatic boom gate exiting system at key access points around the site.

MEET THE SPONSORS

The 2013 Mango Auction was sponsored by the Brisbane Markets major mango marketers:

Alfred E Chave Pty Ltd

Don Alroe & Sons

Favco Qld Pty Ltd

GNL Produce

H E Heather & Co

J H Leavy & Co

LaManna Group

Montague Fresh

R W Pascoe Pty Ltd

Romeo’s Marketing Pty Ltd

The Australian Mango Industry Association also supported the

THE KING OF FRUIT Mango Auction Thank you very much 2 0 1 3

A king’s ransom for a tray of mangoes

Carlo Lorenti, of Clayfield Markets

Fresh, and Harry Nicolaou, from Fresh Sensations Carindale, together bid a king’s ransom to be crowned at the 2013 Brisbane Markets Mango Auction in October.

The new Mango Kings bought the symbolic first tray of mangoes for $42,000, with the funds donated to Diabetes Queensland and Life Education Queensland.

On stage with the smiling greengrocers, Mr Lorenti in a cape and Mr Nicolaou in a crown, Mr Lorenti said, “It’s been harder than normal in retailing, so together we thought up a way to come up with the money that wasn’t going to put too much of a hole in our pockets but still help two great causes.”

Also announced at the early morning event in Rocklea was Clayfield Markets

Fresh as ‘South East Queensland’s Kindest Greengrocer’ – the top shop

It raised $2,270 towards a total of $10,100 for both charities across all 34 participating stores. Mr Nicolaou’s store, Fresh Sensations Carindale, was hot on its heels and in second place.

More than $68,500 was raised by the Brisbane Markets community in total.

It was Mr Nicolaou’s first time sitting on the winner’s thrown. However, Mr Lorenti is no stranger to charity work having been crowned Mango King six times since 2006.

The highly competitive auction was held in the heart of the Brisbane Produce Market trading area, with Haesley Cush as auctioneer.

Although this fundraising is serious work, it’s still about having a good time. This year’s theme was ‘The King of Fruit’, so it was fitting that an Elvis impersonator and Las Vegas Showgirls took to the stage to entertain the crowd.

Since 2002, Brisbane Markets Limited has raised more than $770,000 for Queensland charities by staging the annual event.

The tray of mangoes from this year’s auction was donated by Arnhem Packhouse in the Northern Territory.

Dressed in his cape, Carlo Lorenti of Clayfield Markets Fresh, and wearing his crown, Harry Nicolaou from Fresh Sensations Carindale are congratulated by the Las Vegas Showgirls after paying a king’s ransom for the tray.

The King, Elvis, gets cosy with the King of Fruits.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh (left) shares a joke with BML Director Bruce Hatcher.

Rugby league player Ben Hannant (left) chats with celebrity news reader MC Bill McDonald during the event.

“Thank you…thank you very much”. Brismark’s Stephen Hunt shows he knows his Elvis moves when collecting money for the charity barbecue.

Celebrity auctioneer Haesley Cush, of Ray White New Farm, works up the crowd to dig deep to take home the tray.

Brisbane Markets buyers discuss a bid during the heat of the auction.

The first symbolic tray of mangoes arrives on a Toyota Material Handling forklift.

Australian Mango Industry Association’s Trevor Dunmall shows the quality of this season’s mangoes to a feathery mango lover.

The $42,000 tray of mangoes, donated by Arnhem Packhouse in the Northern Territory.

We wish you a very Cherry Christmas

The cherry season is upon us and Brisbane Produce Market has joined forces once again with Cherry Growers Australia to run a very cherry campaign. Activities began in late November, with cooking shows, radio advertising, social media activities and cherry samples send to major media identities across South East Queensland.

Keep an eye out for some advertising in the Courier Mail and Brisbane News’ Christmas gift guides. If you are in the Brisbane CBD, head to Alchemy Bar and Restaurant for a very cherry Soufflé, thanks to restaurateurs Brad and Ange Jolly who have placed it on their menu for December.

Wholesalers who have contributed to the cheery cherry marketing campaign to make it happen include Carter and Spencer Group, Favco Queensland, Keith Lind, Montague Fresh (Qld), Murray Bros, Ross & Co Fruit and Vegetables and RW Pascoe.

The campaign is encouraging people to pick up some sweet and juicy cherries from their local greengrocer.

For more information about cherries or

A fruity Christmas surprise

With Christmas just around the corner, Brisbane Produce Market has again spread the fruity, sweet gifts of the season to more than 3,000 special and disadvantaged children.

Brisbane Markets Limited and Brismark staff members handed out fruit and joined in the fun of the 4KQ Variety Special Children’s Christmas Party, held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Wholesalers from throughout the Brisbane Produce Market donated carton after carton of festive fruit for the event, doing their bit to help make the one day of the year a special one for kids who are terminally ill, intellectually handicapped or physically impaired.

Brismark’s Puji Astuti (left) hands a mango hedgehog to a hungry child at the special children’s Christmas party.

Brisbane Markets Vanessa Kennedy with some fruity goodness to hand

FreshTest program a ‘clean’ approach

BY BRISMARK GENERAL MANAGER GAIL WOODS

The Australian Chamber of Fruit & Vegetable Industries established FreshTest Australia in December 2001, in direct response to the number of requests from industry to manage and collate the results from all the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) and Microbial testing of produce.

These tests were being conducted as part of the verification of various Quality Assurance and Food Safety Programs.

While Australia was recognised around the world as a provider of ‘clean, green’ produce, a more extensive database of information was required to protect that image in the future, especially as consumer awareness and demand for ‘clean’ food was increasing.

FreshTest soon became the largest, most comprehensive testing program in Australian horticulture for wholesalers and growers.

How does FreshTest work?

Samples are sent to NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities) accredited laboratories to be tested for either chemical residues, microbial contamination or both.

The FreshTest program:

Testing costs have been minimised through high volumes being tested, a streamlined laboratory reporting process and simplified program administration.

In the event of a breach of the MRL, the business requesting the test will be advised as soon as possible.

If it is the wholesaler, then they must contact their grower immediately. In some instances, the grower is also contacted directly — this will be advised at the time.

The grower, wholesaler or both parties must investigate and identify the cause of the breach.

A corrective action must be put in place to prevent a recurrence of the breach and another sample tested to show that the problem has been rectified.

In this way the market applies pressure to ensure that causes of violations are addressed.

Brismark administers the program on behalf of The Australian Chamber.

The data collected by FreshTest can be made available to other parties only as far as the collective test results are concerned (i.e. no individual names or contact details are revealed).

• is owned and managed by industry

• is a national program covering all states and central markets

• is the overall lowest cost option for produce testing in Australia today

This is enforced under strict guidelines. The data is useful in providing factual information about the safety of Australia’s fruit and vegetables and is useful in promoting and protecting the viability of the industry.

The overall compliance rates are pleasing and comparable to the rest of the world. The big difference is that FreshTest brings together the growing and wholesaling sectors of horticulture to solve the few problems that are found.

The FreshTest program results prove that we do indeed have the best fruit and produce in the world.

• handles the largest number and variety of produce samples in Australia today, testing over 55,000 samples across 240 products since 2001

• is the only program to regularly test for microbial contamination on a large scale

FreshTest is the largest, most comprehensive testing program in Australian horticulture for wholesalers and growers.

Australia must look to Asia for export

Australian Horticulture Exporters Association (AHEA) Executive Director Michelle Christoe said export must be part of Australia’s strategy and we should be looking to Asia as our prime market.

Ms Christoe’s comments follow the release of the ‘What Asia Wants’ report on food consumption trends in Asia from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

The report maps long term trends in food consumption across China, India, Japan and South Korea, as well as other South Eastern nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

“As a nation we need to understand

what the future food needs and preferences are in Asia to adapt production, sell produce and capitalise on the Asian opportunity,”

Ms Christoe said.

“By 2050, world demand for agrifood products is projected to increase by 75%.

“Demand for food in Asia is likely to double between 2007 and 2050 with China accounting for almost half.”

Ms Christoe said Australia exported 60% of its farm products; out of which 90 fresh fruit and vegetable products were exported to more than 60 countries - worth $672 million in 2012/13.

The largest destinations are Hong Kong, Japan, USA and Singapore; although many other countries and

regions such as Middle East, Pacific Islands and Europe are also key markets.

Market access restrictions are wide and vary according to the product and range from quarantine access for many fruits to high tariff restrictions into potentially high volume markets.

“The new government has committed to conclude key free trade agreements and spending $15 million to assist small business with market access restrictions and cut red tape,” Ms Christoe said.

“AHEA is working with the Agriculture Minister and government departments on behalf of horticulture to ensure some of these monies end up in horticulture.”

Who is the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association?

The Australian Horticultural Exporters Association (AHEA) is an independent and autonomous association of Australian horticultural exporter organisations.

Its goal is to act on behalf of the horticultural industry as a peak body, provide leadership, support Australian Horticulture exports and influence decisions affecting the industry. For more information, www.ahea.com.au.

Hong Kong Trade Commissioner briefing

Brisbane Markets exporters have met with the Queensland Government’s Hong Kong Trade Commissioner during a visit to discuss opportunities and market access to Hong Kong.

Angela To, Trade and Investment

Queensland Commissioner for Hong Kong was accompanied by Edith Gomez, Senior Trade Officer, Food and Agribusiness, Trade and Investment Queensland for a briefing, held in the Brisbane Markets Limited boardroom.

The meeting’s key message was to consider doing business in Hong Kong, a growing market that is hungry for fresh produce but be sure to visit and understand the market first.

Ms To said there were well developed consumer tastes and expectations that needed to be understood to be successful in this part of Asia and many more markets opening up that are currently untapped.

Brisbane Markets Limited’s chairman Tony Joseph and CEO Andrew Young met with Ms To at Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong in September.

Second Trade and Market Access Forum

Growers, marketers and wholesalers moving into horticulture export, or already riding the roller coaster of red tape and legislation to move fruit and vegetables out of the country are being called to a forum in the New Year.

It will be hot on the heels of a Trade and Market Access Forum, organised in October and arranged by the Australian Horticultural Exporters Association (AHEA)

The event drew up to 30 exporters, transporters and government officials to the Brisbane Markets’ Fresh Centre training rooms for a half day workshop.

Organiser Michelle Christoe,

AHEA’s Executive Director, said a second workshop would be held on 12 February 2014 for interested exporters, with changes to her organisation’s charter also welcoming importers to take part.

Representatives from Austrade, the Federal Office of Transport Security, Federal Department of Agriculture and Queensland’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry departments joined AHEA Deputy Chairman Joe Saina in discussing the access and legislative issues confronting exporters.

Anyone requiring more information can contact Michelle Christoe on MichelleC@ahea.com. au or 0413 200 404.

From left, Edith Gomez, from Trade and Investment Queensland, BML Chairman Tony Joseph and Angela To, Trade and Investment Queensland Commissioner for Hong Kong chat after a Hong Kong trade briefing session.

A focus on trade and market access

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Grower’s (BFVG) Executive Officer, Peter Hockings has welcomed the focus from both levels of government trade and market access throughout the year.

Mr Hockings said the topic was always on his agenda, for both domestic and international markets.

In addition, BFVG had conducted additional advocacy and representation since early in the year to protect its members’ interests after the disastrous January floods, including co-hosting a Trade and Market Access Forum in August.

Mr Hockings said key messages were reinforced back to industry that should be heeded:

• Horticulture needs better scientific data in relation to biosecurity to succeed in future trade negotiations;

• Horticulture needs to be more united at the international level, even unite with other industries; and

Bundaberg told to “Get Ready”

Bundaberg growers are being targeted as part of a community campaign to remind Wide Bay residents what to do if they are hit by tornados or flooding again with the start of 2014 soon upon them.

Queensland Police, Fire and Emergency Services Minister Jack Dempsey has launched a Get Ready program as a way of ensuring Queenslanders remain safe and secure. There is particular focus on Bundaberg after it suffered a disastrous start to 2013 with storm and tempest damaging the region.

Mr Dempsey said that during the floods, emergency

• Even though the world seeks our products, Australian industries need to market ourselves better.

“It is also important to remember that some markets require commitment and solid business relationships, not just the ability to provide the quality and volume of produce the market desires,”

Mr Hockings said.

For export markets, particularly Asian markets, a commitment and solid relationship can be crucial.

“Loyalty’ to a marketplace and having access to a diversity of markets can prove extremely beneficial,” he said.

crews were forced to conduct one of the largest evacuations in Australian history, work which could have been dramatically reduced if basic preparations were in place and residents heeded the advice of emergency authorities.

He said one of the first steps in developing an emergency plan was for residents to make contact with their local council and familiarise themselves with their local risks.

For further information and tips on how to Get Ready and to register for your own personalised step-by-step plan visit www.qld.gov.au/getready.

BFVG’s Executive Director Peter Hockings keeps market access for Bundy produce top of mind.

Finalised Systems Approach called ICA-48

BY SARAH SIMPSON, BOWEN GUMLU GROWERS ASSOCIATION

During this season the weather in the Bowen and Gumlu region has been good to crops, resulting in good quality and quantity. However, with prices low and remaining low for the majority of the season, it was a disappointing year for many.

A silver lining was the finalisation of the Systems Approach for Bowen and Gumlu. This is now officially, ICA-48 Pre-Harvest Treatment and Postharvest Inspection of Tomato and Capsicum in the Bowen and Gumlu Region.

This is a regionally and seasonally specific protocol, which was accepted by all States and Territories in Australia, except Western Australia.

This marks the end of a long process spanning some seven years, from the start of the research project in Bowen to the official release of the protocol.

This would not have been possible without a range of people, with a special mention to the local Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries (DAFF) and Forestry Research Station and local Bowen and Gumlu growers whose support and dedication to the project were vital.

It is hoped that with time, ICA-48 can be utilised as an option to maintain export market pathways.

In late September, Bowen and Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) welcomed Bianca Fullarton to the position of Regional Workforce Development Officer (RWDO).

This is a new position to help support the implementation of the Queensland Production Horticulture Workforce Development Plan 2013-15.

Locally this role will be addressing regional issues, within the production horticulture industry, in order to attract new employees, retain and up-skill existing employees, with the overall goal of improving productivity and profitability.

There will be four RWDO positions across Queensland, as well as a statewide coordinator, will all working collaboratively to deliver the plan statewide. These positions are funded by DAFF.

Mango season is now upon us with Gumlu and Bowen with growers now picking. There was good fruit setting on trees and so far good news has followed, with good quality fruit coming off the trees.

Bianca Fullarton, Bowen and Gumlu’s Regional Workforce Development Officer.

The original R2E2 mango tree at Bowen Research Station where the Systems Approach research began.

Industry news bites

With something always happening in our industry, the following are some fast and furious news bites to keep you updated as 2013 draws to a close:

Innovative 1800 hotline for growers

AUSVEG has launched a 1800 Agronomist hotline for vegetable growers, an industry-driven initiative which will be introduced on a national basis to provide technical information and address gaps in knowledge across the industry.

It works like this: a hotline provides vegetable growers with unparalleled access to technical agronomy information, benefiting many vegetable growers across Australia by providing them with technical insights relevant to their circumstances.

It’s free to vegetable levy payers, who simply call 1800 247 666.

A range of information, from pest control and identification of pest problems, weed control, nutrition, postharvest, seed/genetic selection and protection cropping through to on-farm technical support is available.

New APAL boss

Apple and Pear Australia Limited (APAL) has welcomed former tobacco and advertising industry head John Dollisson as its new chief executive.

Mr Dollisson stepped into the role after APAL managing director Jon Durham retired in October after 20 years with the organisation.

APAL chairman John Lawrenson said Mr Durham would leave behind big shoes to fill and was confident Mr Dollisson, who has more than 30 years experience in leading organisations, was up to the challenge.

Growcom welcomes a new chairman

Growcom has a new chairman with blueberry grower, agricultural consultant and active member of the Australian Blueberry Growers Association, Jonathan Shaw taking up the position.

He replaces long time chairman John Bishop who has served his full terms under the constitution.

Fellow director John Brent has also stood down after serving his full term.

Mr Shaw joins fellow board members Derek Lightfoot (deputy chairman), a managing director of Tropical Pine; Susan Allan, a Mundubbera fruit grower; Matthew Hood, a Lockyer Valley vegetable grower; Colin Jeacocke, Gin Gin mango and dragon fruit grower; Les Williams, a Wamuran pineapple grower; Kent West, a Kalbar carrot and beetroot grower; and Lorelle McShane, a Dalbeg zucchini and squash grower.

‘InfoVeg’ in the palm of growers

Vegetable growers are being offered a web-based app called ‘InfoVeg’, a new mobile and tablet friendly research database for vegetable growers.

The tool has been designed to put a wealth of vegetable-related research and development (R&D) in the palm of growers’ to help them bridge the gap between research and growing.

AUSVEG, Australia’s leading horticulture body representing 9,000 vegetable and potato growers, launched the app.

Millions of dollars every year is invested in vegetable R&D projects, and InfoVeg will allow quicker and easier access to that information that will help growers stay informed and help put that research into practice.

It is available on Apple, Windows or Android smartphones and tablets and has been designed to be portable so that growers can access the database when they’re out in the field.

The research project has been funded through Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funds from the Australian Government.

Melon industry fights climate change

The Australian Melon Association (AMA) has joined the fight against climate change, winning a major grant to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions.

The Fruit Salad Project is led by the AMA and will bring together growers from the melon, blueberry and banana industries.

The project, worth a total of $1.42 million, will investigate the role of soil amendments, including biochar and compost to increase soil carbon and reduce nitrous oxide emissions in melon, banana and blueberry enterprises.

Australian Melon Association Chairman Mark Daunt said the industry would be involved in on-farm trials supporting research of such significance.

Demonstration trials will be conducted on farm sites located in Cowra, New South Wales and Bundaberg, Queensland.

The Moraitis Group recognised

Foodbank Australia has recognised the outstanding contribution of wholesaler The Moraitis Group to bring food and hope to struggling Australians.

Foodbank’s Innovation Award went to The Moraitis Group for being at the forefront of helping Foodbank to meet its goal of providing more fresh fruit and vegetables.

The award was presented at the Australian Food and Grocery Council’s Industry Leaders Forum Gala Dinner, held at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra.

Moraitis has opened up new donation channels and become the largest single donor to Foodbank, providing 1.38 million kilograms last financial year.

Foodbank is the largest hunger relief organisation in Australia. Last year alone, it provided enough food for 32 million meals.

award

Plan for doubling agriculture by 2040 released

The Queensland Government has released its agricultural research, development and extension plan to support its election commitment of doubling agricultural production by 2040.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said his government had made agriculture a focus and one of the four pillars of the state’s economy.

He said effective and targeted Research, Development and Extension (RD&E) would steer the next wave of productivity growth in Queensland agriculture in partnership with industry, universities and other research providers.

Mr McVeigh said clever research and development could lead to lower production costs, better yields, greater sustainability, more efficient resource allocation and new market opportunities for Queensland producers.

The RD & E plan is available at http://www.daff.qld.gov.au/research/strategy-and-direction/ research,-development-and-extension-plan

Maroochy Research Facility’s Shane Mulo has received the most prestigious honour in the Australian macadamia industry – the 2013 Norman R. Greber Memorial Trophy. He received the accolade for his outstanding contribution to the industry. Mr Mulo’s pioneering work with the Australian macadamia industry began in 1997.

He went on to develop a number of key industry initiatives that have helped to change the way Aussie macadamia growers farm by providing them with the tools they need to improve their farm productivity and efficiency.

Australian Macadamia Society CEO Jolyon Burnett said Mr Mulo’s impact on the industry has been nothing short of exceptional.

Asset protection a serious consideration

BY ANDREW MALINS – AFFINITY ACCOUNTING PLUS

Are your assets protected?

Due to a number of factors, asset protection has become an increasingly important issue for both business owners and individuals.

Increased litigation, tax office audits, relationship breakdowns, reliance on complex finance and bankruptcy law changes have all contributed to a need for us to protect our assets for the people you want to benefit from them.

When considering asset protection you should consider, your:

• intangible business assets such as goodwill, trademarks, copyrights, etc

• physical business assets such as equipment, vehicles

• real estate assets

• financial assets such as investments, bank accounts, shares

• personal assets such as jewellery, collectables

• future income or earning capacity

The major risks we face and which can be reduced to some extent include:

• business failure or failure of those owing you money

• litigation from employees, tax office, customers, public

• major contract changes or loss

• injury, illness or death

• relationship or family disputes

Few of us would drive around without house or car insurance because it is easy and common knowledge but most people do not have a plan to protect themselves

in the event of less common but more financially devastating consequences.

Insurance is not the only or even the most important means of protecting your assets, it can eliminate particular risks but needs to be cost effective and from a reputable source so it’s there when you need it.

It will never replace correct legal and corporate structures, estate plans (wills, powers of attorney), taxation plans, ownership and control.

You need to take all aspects of your situation into account including your current and future plans to ensure you have the structure appropriate for your plans.

A complete plan will address all the risks and utilise a combination of a number of strategies balanced with a cost/risk ratio that you are comfortable with.

If you are not feeling like all aspects of your finances are sufficiently protected then seek advice from your trusted advisor.

Knowing your risk of financial catastrophe is controlled can help you pursue all your goals with far greater confidence.

Managing safety in your workplace

BY SAL TRUJILLO, BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Under current health and safety legislation every Australian workplace must ensure the health and safety of its workers.

Such a general duty of care requires employers to take reasonable practical steps to ensure the safety and welfare of all people affected by the business.

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 defines ‘reasonably practicable”. However, employers should note that cost is rarely an excuse for not controlling a risk of injury particularly if the degree of harm is high.

To manage health and safety in your workplace and to meet your duty of care you should consider the following:

• Make use of any available advisory services to familiarise yourself with current legislative requirements and resources. Workplace Health and Safety Queensland is a good starting pointwww.deir.qld.gov.au/workplace/index. htm

• Make safety a priority in your workplace by implementing a health and safety management system which addresses safety issues in a systematic and integrated way.

• Develop safety policies and procedures that clarify responsibilities, define acceptable and unacceptable behaviour and show that your business is addressing its health and safety obligations.

• Manage safety risks by having a system to identify hazards, assess risks of identified hazards, implement appropriate control measures, monitor control measures implemented and provide feedback to managers and supervisors.

• Involve employees, since safety is the responsibility of everyone in the workplace. Under current safety legislation employers must have processes in place to facilitate consultation.

• Keep safety records and review statistics to ascertain that safety issues have been dealt with satisfactorily.

• If an accident occurs you must undertake an investigation to identify the underlying cause of any injury or illness. Such information will allow you to take steps to eliminate or minimise any identified risk of injury.

• Focus on continuous improvement of current safety systems already in place.

According to the Health and Productivity Institute of Australia, there are benefits which can be achieved by implementing work health and safety in the workplace. For example, employers benefit through improved productivity, improved staff morale, reduced sickness-related absenteeism, reduced workplace injury and workers compensation costs, improved corporate image, as well as improved employee relations.

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at the Markets

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Great report card for school visits kids

The Brisbane Produce Market’s Kids Go Fresh & Healthy school program has had a big year in 2013.

With a new name and a fresh new logo, there have been 102 visits to primary schools and 25 local greengrocers in the newly decorated “fruit and veg” car.

The program involves a free presentation where students learn how many fruit and vegetables they should eat a day, find out what fennel really tastes like and it dispels that age-old myth of whether a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable.

In the second half of the year, the program created stronger links with the local retailers and tuckshop convenors, delivering the healthy eating message to hundreds of primary school children.

Overall, more than 4,600 primary school students learnt how great it was to eat fruit and vegetables, and were challenged to try new foods.

The year, the Kids Go Fresh & Healthy team also attended

the RNA Rural Discovery Day, Moo Baa Munch and the Toowoomba Ag Show’s “Little Hands on the Farm” program, and the Tuckshop Masterclass to spread the word about healthy eating.

Bookings for 2014 school visits are now open and can be made at www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.

Some of the participants in this year’s Kids Go Fresh & Healthy program put pen to paper to say thanks:

“Thank you for giving us the bananas and the packs.”

“Thank you for giving us fennel because now my Mum bought it!”

“Thank you for letting me experience the vegetables and fruit.”

Jessica H

Kai

Jemma

Kids Go Fresh & Healthy presenter, Jane Shea talking to students about vegetables.

Holland Park State School students taste testing fennel.

retailing

Earth Markets, Burleigh Heads a winner

Earth Markets at Stockland Burleigh was named Brisbane Produce Market Retailer of the Month for August 2013.

The store is owned by George and Tsambica Manettas, who also own and operate Earth Markets at Robina, Carrara and Elanora.

Earth Markets is one of the largest chains of independently owned greengrocers on the Gold Coast and the Manettas family are fresh produce specialists with over 22 years experience.

“My husband George selects and buys from

Aland’s

the Brisbane Markets daily so we are confident our customers are getting the freshest, best value produce available at the time,” said Tsambica Manettas.

Earth Markets at Burleigh stocks a wide range of sliced meats, nuts, cut cheeses on-site and selected packaged goods.

“We work on providing an entire ‘foodie’ experience for our customers, from producing specialty recipe flyers with in-season produce as the hero and stocking any extras you need to create that dish,” said Mrs Manettas.

Fruit & Veges’ country charm

Aland’s Fruit & Veges was named Brisbane Produce Market Retailer of the Month for September 2013.

This traditional fruit shop is based in Kilcoy and attracts customers both locally and from surrounding regional areas like Sunshine Coast, Woodford, Dalby and even Toowoomba.

“Our fit out and service is definitely ‘country charm’ but we work hard behind the scenes to make sure the produce we select at the Brisbane Produce Market is top notch,

our goods are varied and that our in-store promotions are appealing to our customers,” said owner David Aland.

The store is running a popular receipt-based promotion where customers receive 10% off their purchase if they save five receipts from their previous visits.

“It is our combination of small town service and product quality which I believe has helped us secure the win,” Mr Aland said.

Fresh Sensations, Capalaba

Fresh Sensations, Capalaba was named Brisbane Produce Market Retailer of the Month for October 2013.

This popular Capalaba Central Shopping Centre greengrocer celebrates 20 years of operation this year and this is the fourth Retailer of the Month awarded to this store since 2009.

With a large and loyal customer base reaching out from Thorneside to Cleveland and down to Victoria Point, the Nicolaou and Mousikos

families jointly own and operate this award winning store.

A bonus for locals, who will often get a passionate family member assisting them on how to select, store and even prepare their fresh produce at home.

The store is also well known for its fully stocked deli and gourmet grocery items to assist the busy home cook by offering a one stop shop of high end products.

How capsicums coloured our winter

More than 30 greengrocers participated in a Capsicum Pilot Promotion in August promoting the colorful vegetables in-store using a range of materials, along with some great capsicum displays.

The industry-led pilot was an opportunity to explore the buying and consumption habits of singles, couples and families.

Some key findings:

• 73% of the greengrocers said that the recipes were the most important information in the leaflet.

• 71% of shoppers said that they at least sometimes look for information like recipe ideas and nutritional information when they shop at their local green grocer. They usually look where the product is located.

• 60% of greengrocers interviewed reported increased sales of capsicum during August.

• Unprompted, three greengrocers suggested that future promotions by capsicum growers could include cooking demonstrations and ‘meet the grower’ days in their stores.

The program had an additional bigger bonus. It allowed Brisbane Markets to work closely with its industry partners in Bundaberg and Bowen and the Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry team facilitating the Horticulture Industry Development Group Supply Chains and Markets Working Group initiative.

Participating greengrocers who made the pilot possible were:

Aland’s Fruit & Veges

Aratula Fresh Fruit & Vegs

Ashgrove Fresh

Brady’s Fruit

Burleigh Village Green Grocer

Charlie’s Fruit Market

Clayfield Markets Fresh

Crispy Carrot

Feast On Fruit

Fresh Extremes Fruit Market

Fresh Sensations Capalaba

Fresh Sensations Carindale

Fresh Sensations Chermside

Harvest on Hamilton

Jeffers Market - Yandina

JJ’s Fruit Market

Kenmore Fresh

Middle Park Fresh

Naturally Fruit

Paradise Fruits

Perry’s Fruit Market

PJ’s Fruit

Rode Fresh

Simon’s Gourmet Gallery

Superior Fruit of Graceville

The Standard Market Company James Street

The Standard Market Company Ferry Road

Tugun Fruit & Flowers

Westridge Fruit & Vegetables

Wrights Bribie Fruit

Foodbank readying for Christmas

Brisbane Produce Market wholesalers will be stepping up their donations leading up to Christmas to aid Foodbank at a time when its warehouse traditionally requires the most donations.

Foodbank is feeding over 65,000 people in need, per week, in Queensland and the number is growing daily.

Over 300 charities are registered with Foodbank Queensland and have the job of collecting from the Colmslie-based warehouse and distributing the food.

Growers receive a tax deduction if they forward any of their surplus crop to the organisation.

To make a donation, contact Foodbank on 07 3395 8422, email foodbank@westnet.com.au or visit www.foodbank.com.au.

DECEMBER

25 December

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - CHRISTMAS DAY

26 December

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - BOXING DAY

JANUARY

1 January

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - NEW YEAR’S DAY

26 January

PUBLIC HOLIDAY - AUSTRALIA DAY

FEBRUARY

5-7 February

FRUIT LOGISTICA 2014 BERLIN Messe Berlin GmbH, Messedamm 22, 14055 Berlin, Germany

For more information contact: The organiser, +49(0)30/3038-0, email central@messe-berlin.de or visit http:// www.fruitlogistica.de/en/

About 58,000 visitors from 130 countries exhibit or go to learn more about fresh produce, including wholesalers, importers and exporters, producers, retail traders, packagers and transporters.

12 February

TRADE AND MARKET EXPORTERS FORUM

Training Rooms, Ground floor, The Fresh Centre, Brisbane Markets, QLD

For more information contact: Michelle Christoe on 0413 200 404 or email MichelleC@ahea.com.au

It is a free event to discuss new regulatory charges, airline security requirements, quarantine protocols and Federal Agriculture Department updates.

MARCH

7 March

BRISBANE PRODUCE MARKET GALA DINNER

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

For more information contact: Jane Shea on 07 3915 4200 or email jshea@brismark.com.au

Annual celebration for the Brisbane Markets community who are wined, dined, entertained and witness the naming of the Brisbane Produce Market’s Retail of the Year award.

Holiday season trading hours

Brisbane Produce Market will be closed to buyers and the public on the public holidays during the festive season.

For further information on fresh produce deliveries and purchases, please contact your wholesaler or check trading hours on line at www.brisbanemarkets.com.au.