Fresh Source Spring 2018

Spring 2018 Issue

64

BML announces p6

annual results

Gala dinner A jazzy celebration p10

Safest Forklift Operator Competition p18 The magazine of

Your source of fresh information for the fruit and vegetable industry Print post approved pp 100001181

COLD STORAGE

PALLET RACKING

BUILDERS

PROTECTION

FULL DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION

BOLLARDS, ARMCO & CONCRETE KICKERS

PH 1300 272 254

info@sbpa.com.au

CHILLERS, FREEZERS & RIPENING ROOMS

DRIVE-IN, SELECTIVE & FASTCOOL SYSTEMS

CEO comment BML has wrapped up another financial year with a sound result and a healthy final dividend declared.

The company has announced an annual underlying net profit before tax of $14.99 million and a final dividend of 8.25 cents per share fully franked for fully paid shares and 4.125 cents per share fully franked for partly paid shares.

This latest result builds on BML’s lengthy record of achieving a strong financial performance.

Capital raising The company completed its heavily oversubscribed capital raising in early September raising $38.4 million to fund the ongoing development of the Brisbane Markets site.

This is a great outcome and reflects investor confidence in BML’s industry-based ownership structure and the established performance of the company.

Development underway A number of major projects are underway on our 77ha site that are drawing national attention.

The $17.5 million Montague Fresh benchmark-setting warehouse is taking shape on the north east corner of the site.

Global Fresh Australia, trading under the name J.H. Leavy & Co., has entered into a memorandum of understanding with BML for the design of a new state-of-the-art refrigerated warehouse, to be located on the corner of Sherwood Road and Martin Taylor Drive.

Find out more on page 8.

Keeping it safe It’s heartening to see the commitment toward a safe-work culture at the Brisbane Markets® site.

We received our largest number of registrations for the Brisbane Produce Market Forklift Operator of the Year competition in August, and are well into preparations for Safety Month, held in conjuction with National Safe Work Month, during October.

Congratulations go to our Forklift Operator of the Year finalists and the winner, Soolefai Fale. You can read more about the competition on pages 18 and 19.

Topical Codes of Conduct Look out for the Codes of Conduct feature from page 14, which reports on the recent review of the voluntary Food and Grocery Code, which has come under some criticism from those calling for it to be made into a mandatory regulation.

The Food and Grocery Code covers the large retail chains, who have managed to avoid any form of mandatory Code of Conduct, such as the Horticulture Code of Conduct, which regulates the fresh produce wholesaling industry.

The main difference of course being that under the Horticulture Code of Conduct, heavy monetary penalties are in place for those found to be non-compliant.

Under a voluntary Code, no such penalties apply.

The big dry A common theme in the reports from growing districts this quarter has been the dry conditions, with scientists indicating the possibility of an El Nino which will bring further drought conditions into the warmer months.

While we are seeing some rain appearing on the radar, we would certainly need much more to reverse the drought conditions in some of our growing regions.

Read more in our Industry pages, from page 24.

Strawberry Contamination Our thoughts are with all those businesses throughout the supply chain who have been impacted adversely by the recent food contamination scare.

I share the view and hope that those who engaged in this sickening act are identified and brought to justice.

While the initial impact was devastating for strawberry sales, more recently it has been heartening to see the level of community support for the strawberry industry and sales again picking up.

Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer, BML and Brismark Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE

3

10

18

22

Contents 6 Fresh Updates 6 6 6 7 7 7

Mango Auction royalty rumours Brisbane Markets Limited continues to bear fruit Fresh Source refresh Once around the block Snapshot of Markets’ history A recipe for great promotion

8 Fresh Markets 8 8 8 9 9

Transforming the Brisbane Markets® site Capital raising an investor confidence indicator Tenant development demands Freshmax hosts its growers Express CHEP return site opens

10 Feature: Gala dinner 10 A jazzy night of celebration 10 The rhythms of a great night 11 Lead act Lawrence Mooney 11 Selfies on a whole new level 12 Raffling up support 12 Forty Year Service recipients

14 Feature: Codes of concern 14 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 17 17

Industry calls for a mandatory Grocery Code Current Grocery Code signatories Mandatory versus voluntary Codes When Good Faith simply isn’t shown Key recommendations include Who owns what?

ACCC investigation results Hort Code fine a reminder National Grower Hotline Hort Code education

18 Feature: Forklift Operator of the Year 18 18 19 19

Brisbane Produce Market’s safest forklift operator Seconds from the win Top competitors Rare competition treats

20 Fresh Retailing 20 “Free food” the healthy way 20 Local Foodies Live Here campaign 20 Seasonal flyers on hand 22 ‘A Better Choice!’ Masterclass advice 22 What is ‘A Better Choice!’?

24 Fresh Industry 24 Drugs and alcohol in the workplace 24 Fruity reason for lockdown 25 Weather watching explained 25 Hungry kangaroos attack the crop 26 Dinners, drought and a stunning video 26 Bundaberg’s growing harvest history 27 Lockyer Valley thirsty for rain 27 WA spuds get the all-clear 27 Drought commissioners appointed

28 Fresh Business 28 Effectively managing teams in the workplace 29 Murray Bros partners with CHEP 29 Queensland produce award winners

30 Fresh Calendar 30 Public holiday trading hours

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 DESIGN Effigy Creative P 07 3040 4343 | PRINT Buckner Printing P 07 3865 9677

4

FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

Fresh Source is the magazine of Brisbane Markets Limited. New editions of the magazine are printed quarterly. Advertising and editorial inquiries are welcome and media outlets are invited to use material without acknowledgement. Fresh Source is printed on Australian made recycled stock.

IF LIFE IS LIKE A FRUIT SALAD, THEN GOOD HEALTH IS THE CHERRY ON TOP!

With your help 240,000 Queenslanders living with diabetes have the support and information they need to live well.

To learn more about ways you can help, contact Diabetes Queensland.

Phone 1800 177 055 or visit diabetesqld.org.au

Mango Auction royalty rumours Rumour is stirring that musical royalty could be appearing at this year’s 2018 Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction, as the search begins for our Mango King or QUEEN. This year’s festivities of all-things-mango, with the tag “Mango Rhapsody”, will feature the same rumoured musical royal serving up mango shakes to entice the Brisbane Markets® community to get a taste for bidding.

As in past years, emcee, Ben Davis, and celebrated charity auctioneer, Haesley Cush, have confirmed their attendance.

The event has been set for Thursday, 4 October 2018 at the Brisbane Produce Market, with fundraising plans in place to raise much needed funds for Diabetes Queensland, and new charity partner, the MND & Me Foundation.

Brisbane Markets Limited continues to bear fruit

Fresh Source refresh

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML), has announced its results for the year ended 30 June 2018, with a net profit after tax of $13.02 million.

For those who love the quarterly publication and look forward to it arriving in their inbox or being delivered in their mailbox, you’ll notice it’s had a refresh.

The company recorded an underlying operating profit before tax of $14.99 million, representing growth of 3.6% when compared to the prior year.

We love the look of our magazine and have attempted to keep it as close to our regular recipe of short stories, colourful photos, interesting contributor columns and snippets of news as possible.

Ongoing development and upgrading of BML’s Rocklea site has been a priority for the company, which recorded total asset growth of 9.4% and net asset growth of 4.8% over the past year.

At 30 June 2018, total assets stood at $361.8 million with net assets of $155.5 million.

The company has declared a final dividend of 8.25 cents per fully paid share, fully franked, which will be paid to shareholders on 19 October 2018.

6

FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

Notice anything different about this edition of Spring Fresh Source?

For those wanting a copy direct to your inbox or thinking of advertising, visit https://tinyurl.com/yc7h5kew.

Once around the block The Brisbane Markets® Commercial Centre is to be highlighted on Channel Seven’s ‘The Great Day Out’ lifestyle program after filming on site in August.

The travel and lifestyle show has a segment called ‘Once Around The Block’ that focuses on the hidden treasures in Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts, and the Toowoomba region.

Viewers will see great footage and interviews at the Brisbane Flower Market, Brisbane Market Stationers Packaging Tape and Supplies, Rocklea Meat Market and Market Organics.

While a screening day isn’t known as yet, the show broadcasts on Sundays at 5.30pm.

‘The Great Day Out’ film crew interview Kate Sorby at Market Organics during their morning shoot.

Snapshot of Markets’ history Ever wondered what the Brisbane Markets® looked like when it traded from the Roma and Turbot Street Markets in the city some five and a half decades ago?

The Arch Martin Brisbane Markets History Room gives you the opportunity to step back and take a look with the opening of its new exhibition, ‘A Moment in Time’.

There are dozens of donated items on display, received from the Brisbane Markets® community to help showcase the past, contained in a four-piece exhibition that spotlights four eras of trade.

The history room is free to visit and is located on Level 2 of the Fresh Centre. It is open from 8am to 3pm on business days.

A look at the Turbot Street Market in the 1950s, before the move to Rocklea – part of the ‘A Moment in Time’ exhibition.

A recipe for great promotion Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) media front man, rugby league great Sam Thaiday, was caught on camera speaking with fruit shop owners on the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor recently.

Thaiday is well-known for his love of cooking, and has worked with the YLFS program to produce a range of recipes and a great promotional video.

The film has been used widely in cinema campaigns and on social media.

Fresh Sensations’ Harry Nicolaou (centre) is interviewed by rugby league legend Sam Thaiday during filming on the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE

7

Capital raising an investor confidence indicator Brisbane Markets Limited has completed a two-stage capital raising, securing $38.4 million to fund ongoing growth.

BML successfully completed a $22.4 million Placement, which was followed by a Rights Issue and Public Offer underwritten

by Morgans Corporate Limited, to raise a further $16 million.

The Placement, Rights Issue and Public Offer were all priced at $3.20 per share.

A small section of the Montague Group’s Building C1 project, rising from the ground in the North East corner of the Brisbane Markets®’ site.

Transforming the Brisbane Markets® site Over the past 16 years, Brisbane Markets Limited’s (BML) has transformed the Brisbane Markets® from the long-held rigidity of being Queensland Government-owned.

It is owned, managed and developed by an active industry-based company with a focus on meeting the needs of Tenants and the industry, site safety and responsible management of the site.

Since taking industry-based ownership in 2002, it has been guided by a Master Plan that has resulted in state-of-the-art facilities to meet its Tenants evolving requirements.

In recent months, work has progressed on new warehousing across the Brisbane Markets® site, delivering temperature controlled facilities that surpass industry standards.

Building C1, also known as the Montague Warehouse, is under construction, while the expansive J. H. Leavy & Co. warehouse, to be built near the Brisbane Markets® entry, is in its planning stages.

Both the Building N and Building D1 temperature controlled warehouse redevelopments were recently completed.

The development has met industry demand and developed alternate revenue streams for BML. 8

FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

As a result of the capital raising, the number of shareholders in the company will increase with 137 new investors taking the total number to just over 300.

The capital raising will support the ongoing development plans of the company, including investment in new refrigerated warehouses and ongoing site upgrading.

The Public Offer was heavily oversubscribed, highlighting the confidence which investors have in the strong performance and future prospects of the company.

Tenant development demands Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) Chairman, Tony Joseph, said that the company’s successful capital raising would assist it in a number of development projects to continue the upgrading and development of the Brisbane Markets® site.

“That includes the recently commenced construction of a new 5,578m2 refrigerated warehouse in response to ongoing demand for warehouse space,” Mr Joseph said.

He said that in the past decade, BML had invested more than $150 million in new buildings and site upgrading work in response to Tenant demand for new and upgraded facilities.

“By any measure, BML is a business that is delivering financially for its shareholders, while also meeting its responsibilities to service its clients and plan for the future,” he said.

Express CHEP return site opens Those iconic blue pallets, bins and crates used by more than 500 Buyers to conveniently transport tonnes of fresh produce from the Brisbane Markets® site need to be returned, and now it’s been made easier.

Growers sending to Freshmax explore the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor.

Freshmax hosts its growers

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has entered into an agreement with CHEP to provide an express location for the return of the equipment, aimed at Buyers with less than 50 at a time to return.

The new facility is located behind Building D, to the north of the Brisbane Produce Market.

Brisbane Markets Wholesaler, and one of the largest marketing and distribution operations in the Southern Hemisphere, Freshmax, took its growers on a fact finding tour of the Brisbane Markets® in August. ®

The Growers and agriculture consultants learned more about Australia’s Central Market System, along with the hands-on wholesaling and logistics behind Freshmax’s Rocklea-based facilities.

It’s open on trading days from 5am to 10am, when Buyers are most likely to be on site.

This initiative was put in place following CHEP customer feedback to provide Market Buyers a convenient option for the return of smaller quantities of its equipment, allowing faster turnaround for equipment returns in a convenient location.

An estimated 7,000 Growers send to the Brisbane Markets® each year with about 600,000 tonnes produce worth up to $1.5 billion.

A

y s m dne a Te Sy e & c h i rv ert e P S , ed rne c u n ie lbo r pe Me ex e, n d an isba r e rg , B La ide la de

Put Your Fresh Produce in Our Hands Full support 24 hours, seven days a week

Ripening, Pressure Cooling, Gassing & Venting, Large-Scale hydro-cooling, General Storage of Fruit and Vegetables

1300 731 699

www.oomiak.com.au customerservice@oomiak.com.au Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE

9

F E A T U R E

From left, John H his wife Dini, and (Qld), and Chris catching up.

Sporting journalist and radio host Ben Davis hosted the evening.

From left, Vince Mailli, of BG Brisbane, his wif e, Bernadette, son Charli e, of GNL Produce, and their friend, Frank Occhino.

A jazzy night of celebration There was plenty of modern style and celebration amid the jazzy 1920s themed 2018 Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner in July, with guests dancing out the night at the Brisbane Entertainment and Convention Centre.

About 500 Wholesalers, Buyers, Grower representatives and Brisbane Markets®’ sponsors were treated to a night of wining, dining, music and comedy.

The event was emceed by renowned sports journalist and radio personality, Ben Davis and as in past years, included the annual Brisbane Markets® Fun in the Markets video along with a raffle to aid Diabetes Queensland.

The rhythms of a great night From the moment guests arrived, there was plenty of foot stomping, crowd pleasing music on show throughout the 2018 Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner spectacle.

Guests arrived to the melodic notes of a pianist before moving inside the 1920s themed ballroom where jazz band, The Jazz Trio, brought the 1920s theme alive and got the room toe tapping.

However, the dancing is always a highlight of the annual event, and after the formal part of the night, nine piece band, Oz Hornz, had people up on their feet, boogieing along to their favourite dance tunes.

A special presentation of 40 Years’ Fresh Produce Industry Service Awards was supported by Queensland Minister for Agricultural industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, who honoured the recipients and the Brisbane Markets® community.

The night was presented by Brisbane Market Limited and Brismark who thanked major sponsors Toyota Material Handling, Origin, Motorama, HopgoodGanim Lawyers, SBP Australia, Suez, Crisp Power & Control and RBC/HP. The Jazz Trio got toes tapping and cemented the 1920s theme of the night.

10 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

cer Group.

The team from the Carter and Spen

llis and Tamara ers, left, Cathy Ho Suez team memb eme. into the 1920s th Lanigan, getting

hards and Hunter, retired Mack Ric gue Fresh nta Mo of r, rte Ca ott d Elli Bros enjoy her llag Go of s Gollagher,

The audience enjoying comedian Lawrence Mooney, during the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner.

Enjoying the night were Pa ul and Bernic of O’Toole’s Pr e O’Toole, oduce.

Lead act Lawrence Mooney Comedian, Lawrence Mooney, turned on his Upper Crust Australian accent, mimicking now former Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, for some great impersonation and laughter as the lead act during the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner.

The popular radio personality, actor, writer and television performer produced 30 minutes of humour, based on Australian politics and his general insights on life.

Selfies on a whole new level

Lawrence Mooney’s often naughty commentary on politics and life kept the room laughing.

Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner guests took the selfie to a whole new level, with lines of people opting for a humorous likeness of themselves in the hands of caricaturist Rodolfo Almeida.

Mr Almeida cheekily drafted up images of people with big noses, super hero chins or over accentuated ears to reveal likenesses that were unmistakably recognisable.

For those preferring the opportunity for a themed photo while they were looking so glamourous, both professional and amateur photographers modelled in front a bespoke 1920s theme silhouette media wall that was created especially for the night.

The professional photos are online and found at https://brisbanemarkets.com.au/event/2018-gala-dinner/.

Caricaturist Rodolfo Almeida produces a fun but remarkable likeness of his willing models.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 11

Raffling up support The Brisbane Produce Market community has long been known for its generosity, and the Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner was no different, with a raffle to aid Diabetes Queensland.

About $6,600 was raised, with emcee Ben Davis, renowned sports journalist and radio personality, making a personal plea to be generous having had the experience of a child living with Type 1 Diabetes.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK: MAJOR

SPONSOR S

The money from the many raffle prizes on offer goes toward education, advice, ongoing support and advocacy to Queenslanders living with diabetes, and those at risk.

The Diabetes Queensland team got in the groove selling raffle tickets for some great prizes throughout the evening.

Forty Year Service recipients

S P O N S O R S

Five Brisbane Markets® community members were honoured for more than 40 years of service, and join a long list of people who have centred their lives and careers around the wholesale fresh produce industry.

Craig Chard, Spiro Charchalis, Robbe Mann, Mark Moore and Peter Tighe were congratulated by Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, with mentions of absent recipients, Geoffrey McIlwaine and the late Col Follett.

S U P P O R T E R S

The Fun in the Markets video featured reflections and snippets of wisdom from some of the recipients, who have seen enormous change under industry-based ownership over the years.

Quality ISO 9001

Environment ISO 14001

Smart Approved WaterMark CMYK Logo

CMYK 100/50/0/30

40 Years’ Fresh Produce Industry Service Awards recipients, from left, Peter Tighe, Mark Moore, Robbe Mann, special guest Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, and recipients Mark Furner, Spiro Charchalis and Craig Chard.

12 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

CMYK 56/0/0/0

SUEZ and Brisbane Markets are putting your waste to good use We provide smart and reliable solutions to collect recover and recycle paper and cardboard into valuable resources

For information on best practise waste management solutions, contact SUEZ today

01161 Brisbane Markets Bin Ad_Fresh Source Mag Advert.indd 1

15/09/2015 5:32 pm

Feature

Codes of concern Industry calls for a mandatory Grocery Code Leading industry bodies dealing with supermarkets under Australia’s voluntary Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (Grocery Code) have used a review of the regulation to call for a mandatory Code to be imposed.

Public submissions closed in August, with the review considering whether the federal regulations should remain in voluntary form or become mandatory and therefore enforceable.

In an initial consultation phase, the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC), Mediation and Arbitration Centre and the NSW Small Business Commissioner claimed that the regulation will only be workable if all the Retailers sign up to it.

A mandatory Code would include appropriate penalties such as fines for non-compliance, in a similar fashion to those found in the Horticulture Code of Conduct (Code) that covers the fresh produce Wholesaling sector.

Grocery Code history The large supermarket chains managed to avoid being covered by a mandatory Code when the mandatory Horticulture Code was introduced in 2007 and again when a refreshed Code was introduced in 2017.

This was despite the supermarkets directly sourcing fresh produce from suppliers on the same playing field as Australia’s Wholesalers, who are bound by the Code.

During the Code’s design before its 2015 implementation, the National Farmers Federation called for the Grocery Code to be mandatory, and promised to maintain a close watch on its progress and implementation of the voluntary version.

Former ACCC Chair and National Competition Council Professor Graeme Samuel has lead the review.

14 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

Current Grocery Code signatories ALDI, Coles, Woolworths and About Life Pty Ltd - based in Sydney and Port Melbourne - have become signatories and are bound by the Grocery Code, enforced by the ACCC. Metcash (IGA and Foodland IGA) has declined to sign up.

Woolworths has previously urged Metcash and Costco to sign up to the Grocery Code and follow the lead of the major supermarkets.

Mandatory versus voluntary Codes A mandatory industry Code prescribes that all the industry participants are covered by the regulation, which often includes specific ways of doing business, additional red tape and in the case of the Horticulture Code, monetary penalties for those breaking the rules.

In contrast, voluntary codes are a set of industry standards of conduct that include how to deal with its members and customers. However, they only apply to those who sign up to them. They are less onerous and are easier to gain industry support.

Under the voluntary Grocery Code, its standards become mandatory only for all those who sign up to it.

Furthermore, while significant financial penalties can apply for breaches of the mandatory Code, there are no financial penalties that apply for breaches of a voluntary Code.

When Good Faith Key simply isn’t shown recommendations include Published submissions to Australia’s voluntary Food and Grocery Code of Conduct (Grocery Code) reveal that supermarkets continue to treat suppliers unfairly, with a lack of good faith from Retailers to improve on what are deemed as poor practices.

Former Australian Consumer and Competition Commission boss, Graeme Samuel, has conducted the review, saying it was important that companies and family-owned businesses behind the brands sold by major supermarkets and grocery Wholesalers to be treated fairly.

Prof Samuel said it was clear the original architects of the Grocery Code (Coles, Woolworths and the Australian Food and Grocery Council) had envisaged good faith and fair dealings to play a major role in strengthening commercial relationships in the grocery sector.

“From the evidence and feedback received during the review, it appears that the current good faith provisions have not lived up to industry expectations,” Prof Samuel said.

DID YOU KNOW? The Grocery Code sets out the rules by which the supermarkets should play when dealing with suppliers – to increase commercial transparency, impose minimum standards of business practice and provide equitable dispute resolution.

The draft report that was commented on during the review process made a total of 14 recommendations to ensure the Grocery Code continues working effectively for the food and grocery industry. These included: • Calling for all significant Wholesalers and Retailers to be bound by the Grocery Code to create further cultural change. In a direct swipe at Metcash, the only national Wholesaler who has not signed up to the Code, the recommendations included creating a separate mandatory Code only directed at the current signatories to the voluntary Grocery Code.

• Strengthening and elevating the good faith provision to allow for a greater application of fairness to be considered.

• Imbalances between the Horticulture Code and Grocery Code should remain. While there is a perceived inequity between areas of the horticulture sector due to having a mandatory Horticulture Code governing some transactions and the voluntary Grocery Code governing others, the review does not believe this difference is creating imbalances, and instead believes the separate codes are addressing different sets of problems.

• There should be an independent Code Adjudicator appointed within every Retailer and Wholesaler business that signs up to the Grocery Code. In addition, the role of the Code Compliance Manager - a key feature of dispute resolution under the Grocery Code - should be enhanced to become an independent adjudicator.

The Code does not however, provide for penalties when breaches occur.

Hard bargaining between the large Retailers and their suppliers can deliver better outcomes for consumers but create a toxic environment for suppliers.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 15

Who owns what?

The supermarket and grocery industry in Australia is highly competitive, yet concentrated.

ACCC investigation results

The four largest businesses, Woolworths, Coles, ALDI and Metcash Ltd (Metcash) make up over 80%of industry revenue, with the two major supermarkets, Woolworths and Coles, holding over 65% of the market combined.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) said it had received 52 contacts relating specifically to the Food and Grocery Code since 1 January 2015 when the Code came into effect.

It has also received a number of contacts relating to the food and grocery supply chain more generally.

Coles unconscionable conduct In 2014, the ACCC took action against Coles Supermarkets Pty Ltd for engaging in unconscionable conduct in its dealings with suppliers.

Other* 15.8% ALDI 9.2%

Woolworths 37.2%

Metcash 7.4%

This resulted in Coles being ordered to pay $10 million in pecuniary penalties and costs.

It also had to undertake a program to provide redress that saw more than $12 million returned to 200 of its suppliers.

Woolworths mind the gap Coles 30.3%

In December 2015, the ACCC instituted proceedings against Woolworths Ltd in relation to its ‘Mind the Gap’ scheme after “asking” more than 800 suppliers to make payments to reduce the company’s half-year gross profit shortfall.

Woolworths sought $60 million in payments but captured $18 million.

Food and Grocery Retail Sector Market Share for financial year 2017-18 *Other includes Costco, Australian United Retailers (including Foodworks brand) and independent supermarkets Source: IBISWorld Pty Ltd, Treasury workings

“It is widely recognised that a significant imbalance in bargaining power exists between suppliers and the major supermarket chains. This is particularly true of the balance of power between the major chains and their many small suppliers — overwhelmingly if not in all cases.”

From the sumbmission of Robyn Hoobs OAM, NSW Small Business Commissioner

DID YOU KNOW? A final report on the Food and Grocery Code Review will be forwarded to the Federal Government sometime in September, although it is expected to be some time before its final results are released to the public.

16 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

The Federal Court found Woolworths’ conduct in obtaining payments from its suppliers under those circumstances did not amount to unconscionable conduct within the meaning of the Australian Consumer Law.

Supermarket payment terms for small suppliers In mid-2016 and early 2017 the ACCC investigated allegations that payment terms in Coles and Woolworths’ grocery supply agreements included unfair contract terms.

At the same time, The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsmen conducted its Inquiry into Payment Times and Practices in Australia, highlighting the effect that delayed payment can have on small business.

In March 2017, Coles announced that it would introduce 14 day payment terms for small suppliers that supply less than $1 million of goods to Coles each year. In April 2017, Woolworths made a similar commitment.

The ACCC considered that these changes addressed the unfair contract term issues that it had been considering and closed the investigation.

“The (Grocery) Code should be mandatory. The Code cannot work to achieve better standards of conduct in the industry, if not all industry participants are bound by it.”

From the submission of Derek M. Minus, (Accredited Mediator, Chartered Arbitrator and University of Sydney lecturer in relation to the Food and Grocery Code), Mediation & Arbitration Centre.

Hort Code fine a reminder

Hort Code education

Brisbane Markets Limited CEO, Andrew Young, has issued a reminder to both fresh produce Wholesalers and Growers to have a written agreement in place before trading together, no matter how long and positive their relationships have been.

Wholesaler representative body, Fresh Markets Australia (FMA), was one of the first in Australia to roll out education and documentation to its members to ensure they complied with the updated 2017 Horticulture Code of Conduct.

Mr Young’s reminder follows the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) imposing its first monetary penalty under the 2017 Horticulture Code on a Sydney fruit and vegetable Wholesaler in August.

FMA distributed a Code-compliant Terms of Trade and Horticulture Produce Agreement template documents through its members’ 400 Central Markets Wholesalers to reach an estimated 15,000 Growers.

Stuart Dickson Produce was fined $10,500 for an alleged breach of the Horticulture Code.

In Queensland, Brisbane Markets®’ 52 Wholesalers have rolled out the documentation to more than 7,000 Growers.

The company’s alleged non-compliance came to light following an ACCC compliance check of 15 fruit and vegetable Wholesalers.

Mr Young said Growers needed to: • Understand that Traders and Growers are required to have a Horticulture Produce Agreement (HPA) in place; and • Review, negotiate and agree the terms of HPAs they receive from all Trader’s which they are doing business with.

“It is important that Growers engage with all Traders that they are doing business with and that they move to agree to the terms of Code compliant HPAs. “The Code states that Traders and Growers must not trade in horticulture produce unless they have a Code compliant HPA in place and if they do, a penalty of up to $63,000 can apply for such a breach.”

DID YOU KNOW? Fresh Markets Australia standard documents, including Horticulture Produce Agreements and Terms of Trade, will assist Wholesalers to be confident they, and the Growers they deal with, comply with the Horticulture Code of Conduct.

For more information, visit the ACCC website https://tinyurl.com/y7oyugn6.

National Grower Hotline Every relationship can become strained, even after years of trust.

Fresh Markets Australia operates a National Grower Hotline which operates within Australia’s Central Markets, specifically to investigate issues raised by Growers and others who feel they have a grievance to be heard.

You can contact the confidential FreshCode service by phoning 1800 631 0022 or emailing fma@freshmarkets.com.au.

You will find more information at https://tinyurl.com/y8rln6qs.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 17

Feature Brisbane Produce Market’s safest forklift operator Sutton Fresh Direct’s Soolefai Fale is the 2018 Brisbane Produce Market’s Forklift Operator of the Year after taking out the grand final in a thrilling practical course round on the trading floor in August.

Mr Fale was one of the 10 finalists vying for the title as the safest driver on what is the largest congregation of forklifts found on a worksite in Queensland.

The 23-year-old Goodna resident was determined to improve on 2017’s competition when he placed third.

Seconds from the win There were literally only a few seconds separating this year’s Brisbane Produce Market’s Forklift Operator of the Year with second and third place getters close to receiving the top title.

However, it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm.

Mr Fale said it was more than the trophy, $3,000 prize cheque, Anytime Fitness gym membership and the Toyota goodie bag that drove him on to do his best.

In second place, Na’a Finau, of Nutrano, said he was ecstatic to take home the $1,500 prize money, which has gone to splurge on his whole family, including his four kids, siblings and Mum.

“I learned from last year’s competition to watch the mistakes of others and to keep my mind on accuracy, as well as speed,” Mr Fale said.

Mr Finau said he had only watched the competition in previous years, with a sausage in his hand from the charity barbecue, with this year’s gold coin donation going to charity the MND & Me Foundation.

“Safety is always top of mind. I’ve got goals and dreams, and people who love me, and that makes me want to be around well into the future.”

The competition was held in association with Toyota Material Handling and CHEP who work with the drivers of more than 400 registered forklifts on the Sherwood Road site.

The Forklift Operator of the Year is an annual reminder for the Brisbane Markets® community to keep safety top of mind.

Brisbane Markets Safety Advisory Committee member Stephen Edwards (left) awards the $3,000 prize money to 2018 Brisbane ProduceMarket’s Forklift Operator of the Year winner, Soolefai Fale.

18 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

Linsday Rosenthal, of Murray Bros, took out third place conquering his one concern, which was to keep concentrating despite the large crowd of people cheering and the officials watching his every move, and to avoid clipping the rails of the tightly composed obstacle course.

He took home $500 and gave back a heartfelt thank you to Brisbane Markets Limited and the sponsors for supporting Brisbane Markets®’ forklift drivers.

2018 Brisbane Produce Market’s Forklift Operator of the Year third place recipient, Lindsay Rosenthal, during the nail biting final.

Top competitors The top drivers who made it to the 10 final positions were: Adam Otto – Romeo’s Marketing Qld Joseph Kalolo – Armstrong Bros Karla Bleakley – Murray Bros Jimmy Shannon – Shamrock Peter Szucs – J Allen Ziggy Chmielarski – Murray Bros Na’a Finau - Nutrano Soolefai Fale – Sutton Fresh Direct Lindsay Rosenthal – Murray Bros Aaron Rizzolo – Favco (Qld) Guest competitor: Joe Raki, Oxley CHEP

The Forklift Operator of the Year challenge was sponsored by:

Eight of the Brisbane Markets®’ top 10 safest forklift operators and CHEP special guest driver Joe Raki at the grand final presentations with Brisbane Markets Safety Committee Chair, Stephen Edwards (centre).

Rare competition treats There were two rare competition treats at this year’s Brisbane Produce Market’s Forklift Operator of the Year.

One was seeing the first female forklift operator finalist on the obstacle course, with Murray Bros’ Karla Bleakley narrowly missing out on a placing despite it being her first year as a driver.

The other was welcoming a guest contestant, Joe Raki, of Oxley CHEP, who set the course alive to measure up against the best drivers the Brisbane Produce Market could offer. However, it was the Brisbane Produce Market forklift operators who bested Mr Feaki’s time to retain bragging rights for this year.

Mr Raki won the CHEP Oxley Blunder Road Forklift Operator of the Year competition, and went on to win the state title by taking out the CHEP Western Australia versus Queensland competition.

Every day, two Australians are diagnosed with MND and two Australians die from MND. There is no cure or treatment and the average life expectancy is 2.5 years.

Please help us ensure that no Queenslander has to face Motor Neurone Disease alone.

Reach out, take the next step and join us to become part of the solution.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 19

“Free food” the healthy way There are a few universal ‘truths’ about almost every workplace: you should never ask if anyone wants a cup of tea (unless you enjoy balancing 12 cups at once), there’s one person who is always too cold or too hot, and free food is always the highlight of everyone’s day.

However, in the workplace free food, more often than not, consists of cakes, chocolates, biscuits or some other form

Local Foodies Live Here campaign Brisbane Produce Market’s independent retailers continue to take on the supermarkets with their Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) program speaking directly to consumers to tell the farm-to-plate story, along with a host of health messages.

Its spring ‘Local Foodies Live Here’ campaign taps into the foodies phenomenon.

It positions YLFS stores as the

Seasonal flyers on hand 20 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

of junk food.

A lot of this has to do with habit, affordability, ease and, of course, birthdays. Fruit is just as easy and just as delicious as that block of chocolate and is a whole lot better for you as well.

During spring, Buyfruit will be targeting Human Resource managers at the Queensland HR summit by asking businesses to think about their corporate value of health and wellbeing in the workplace.

Having fruit readily available in the workplace is an easy way to get people eating healthier by making a habit out of grabbing a piece of fruit when hungry.

Ordering a BuyFruit box of fresh produce is a way of keeping staff members healthy and happy.

destination where foodies go to buy genuinely fresh, local produce, sourced by experts.

Watch out for some eye catching publicity at bus shelters, radio spots, letterbox drops, digital advertising, email and social media banners, and there might even be some surprise visits to bus shelters in Brisbane City to promote the consumption of fresh produce.

The latest messages follow in the footsteps of the successful Locally Grown, Locally Owned campaign, completed at the end of August, which helped consumers taste the difference that fresh produce can make in their diet.

Great recipes, marketed as being from rugby league legend Sam Thaiday’s Kitchen, promoted the Winter Veg Stir Fry both instore and online.

Rugby league legend Sam Thaiday, meets the locals at Wrights Bribie Fruit to promote recipes from Sam’s Kitchen, during the Winter Veg Stir Fry campaign.

Want to know what fruit, vegetables and herbs are in season?

You will pick up some great recipe tips and storage information along the way.

Check out the Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) website at https://tinyurl.com/ybvhlndr or call into a YLFS retailer to pick up the latest copies of the Fruit, Vegetable and Herb guides.

For those wanting a commentary on what’s in season on a weekly basis, check out the Brisbane Produce Report found at https://news.brisbanemarkets.com.au/.

FREE TO FIND YOUR NEAREST SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND STORE GO TO

WWW.YOURLOCALFRUITSHOP.COM.AU

RETAILING

‘A Better Choice!’

Masterclass advice South East Queensland’s local fruit shop owners and their Wholesalers have a better understanding of Australia’s new independent retail program, ‘A Better Choice!’, with a Masterclass held in August to hear from industry experts.

The heavily attended event was held at the Brisbane Markets®’ Fresh Centre training room to give Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) participants an understanding of the state of the fresh produce retail industry.

Fresh Markets Australia’s National Retail Program Delivery Manager, Joe Butler, explained the recently launched “A Better Choice!’ brand.

From left, Peter Maniatas, of Superior Fruits chats with Masterclass guest speaker, Isaac Baker, of Livingstones.

He told the group the national campaign presented an opportunity for greater collaboration within the national Central Markets System to help create a positive future for independent Retailers, produce Wholesalers and the local Growers who supply them.

He was supported by guest speaker, Isaac Baker, of Livingstones, a PhD scholar in Behavioural Sciences, with powerful insights and pathways for improving business performance through people.

Colmar Brunton’s National Sector Head, Dr Denise Hamblin, spoke about the market research behind consumer trends and innovation in the fast moving consumer goods industry.

Familiar Brisbane Markets® visitor and CEO of the Social Media Marketing Institute, Mireille Ryan, provided advice on the principles of content marketing and social media strategy to drive traffic into businesses and the accelerate profits.

What is ‘A Better Choice!’?

A Better Choice! is a new national program designed to encouraged consumers to shop for fresh produce at their local independent Retailer.

It was launched in June, and is a joint initiative of by Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) and the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA).

The program sees Australia’s fresh produce Wholesalers working hand-inhand with industry partners to conduct a range of branding and co-promotional activities.

22 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

From left, Alan Fenwick, of Fenwick Fruit Emporium, and Mathew and Luke Boulus, of Westridge Fruit and Veg, take a break during the Masterclass event.

“It was a great experience for not only myself but also my staff members. We found the sessions very informative and we took home some good tips. It was great to hear about the National Retail Program. There should be more of this and I’m very glad I attended. The retail program team put together a great day”.

Carlo Lorenti – Clayfield Fresh Markets

CHOOSE TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT...

in ADVANCE

YOUR ONE CONTACT SOLUTION FOR FIRE / LIFTS / SECURITY Independent Fire / Lift Company Australian owned and operated Operations throughout Australia Electrical Contractor’s License

Members of the ECA Members of the NFIAQ Public Liability Insurance - $20,000,000 Professional Indemnity Insurance

Performance based & flexible contracts Performance guarantees All maintenance and installation to Australian Standards ISO9001 Approved

QBCC License AS4801 Safety Certified Emergency service 24 hours - 7 days a week Security License

Call 1300 116 675 or www.advancegroups.com.au Advance Electronics Security

Our People

We design and implement all facets of electronic security and MATV systems for your premises.

Our experienced and qualified service technicians have fully equipped service vehicles ensuring that most issues can be immediately rectified and that our clients needs are met within a short response time.

Advance Fire Technology

Our staff undergo constant training and evaluations to be sure your investment stays operating at the same worldclass standard as it was installed.

Dedicated to providing ongoing maintenance for existing fire protection systems and the installation and implementation of fire safety systems in new buildings.

We support teamwork. All our teams work together on each phase of the project to provide a seamless, integrated system that is simple to manage and easy to maintain.

We base our company values in complete customer dedication; from the initial proposal and installation to our after sales customer care.

Advance Lifts Providing complete design assistance including traffic analysis, electrical requirements, complete lift specifications and field surveys for existing buildings.

Advance Global Elevators Specialists in the furnishing and installation of new elevators (passenger and freight), dumbwaiters, escalators and residential equipment in new and existing buildings.

Our References

Some of our loyal and on-going clientele:

Advance Group of Companies is a multi-disciplined service and installation company with industry knowledge in fire, lifts and pumps.Actively trading for over 15 years, we service, install and maintain systems in over 3,000 establishments across Australia.

Brisbane City Council

Palazzo Versace

CS Energy

Moreton Bay Regional Council

Gold Coast City Council

La Sabbia

Advance Group of Companies has been entrusted to service and maintain a number of Local Councils, Hospitals and prestigious hotel locations for extensive contract periods.

RACV Royal Pines Resort

Marriott Hotels and Resorts

Ramsay Health Care

Village Roadshow Theme Parks

F I R E / L I F T S / P U M P S / P R O P E R T Y

117 Olympic Circuit Southport Qld 4215 • Ph: 1300 116 675 • Fax: 1300 116 676 See our website www.advancegroups.com.au for more information

Drugs and alcohol in the workplace

By Brismark General Manager Gail Woods

It is well known that the use of alcohol and other drugs can have a harmful effect on the health, safety and wellbeing of individuals, either within or outside a work environment.

The misuse of alcohol and drugs puts the safety of workers or others at risk as it can impair performance, judgement, coordination, concentration and alertness.

This policy outlines to employees and management what their roles and responsibilities are in relation to drugs and alcohol in the workplace, the testing program that may be employed and consequences of a breach of policy.

The testing program may include urine and/or oral fluids and breath alcohol testing.

With employee alcohol consumption contributing to 5% of all Australian workplace deaths and 4-11% of nonfatal workplace injuries, business owners will to need know their obligations and responsibilities when it comes to drugs and alcohol in the workplace.

Testing is already mandated in safety critical industries such as transport, aviation, maritime and mining and is continuing to gain more focus in manufacturing, warehousing, construction and any other industry where employees are required to work with high risk plant or dangerous goods.

It is a legal obligation under the Workplace Health and Safety Act 2011 that all employers take reasonable care to provide a safe working environment for employees and visitors to their workplace.

Without a policy that includes testing, a business cannot test an employee whether or not an incident has occurred, or an employer suspects them of being under the influence.

Only the police have this power.

This is especially important where employees are required to work with and around dangerous mobile plant such as forklifts and trucks.

This doesn’t mean that once you implement a policy you have to start testing all staff immediately, it is a process of educating staff, engaging them in the process and providing them with an opportunity to change their habits or seek help.

What can Employers Do? Workplaces are encouraged to develop and implement a Drug and Alcohol Policy.

Fruity reason for lockdown One of the world’s most complex tasting but smelliest fruits – the durian - was the cause of Western Australia’s Port Hedland International Airport being placed in locked down in August, when its aroma caused a HAZMAT scare.

Emergency services were called, flights delayed and Hazardous Materials suits sent in to investigate when air freight service staff members could not identify the pungent wafts when the fruit arrived in a box from Perth.

It is one step you can take to keep all employees safe and protect your business.

The tropical delicacy, durian, with a pungent odour described as turpentine and onions, garnished with a gym sock.

24 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

Weather watching explained

By Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Industry Development Officer, Cherry Emerick

Our Growers are used to looking toward the sky to see what the weather will bring them – drought or cyclone – but recently, we had the advantage of learning more with a Climate and Weather Workshop.

The event was run by Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Neil Cliffe, under a Drought and Climate Adaptation Program.

The current news isn’t all that great, with a predicted El Nino. This means a drier season, with cyclones further out in the Coral Sea. However, it is a prediction and as you know, the weather is known to change.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) Senior Forecasters, Michelle Berry and Rick Threlfall, mentioned a great Facebook page called ‘Who Got Rain Queensland’,

suggesting it was a great way for Growers to share their rainfall and see who else was receiving showers.

A great weather tip

Families with the support of Catherine Cookson, based within our office.

I have to say that everyone had a Fine Pine Time!

Growers from the industry discussed everything from biosecurity to the challenges of managing supply.

When you are on the BOM website, look up the MetEye, which is more detailed and automatically adjusted by the meteorologists. You can find a link explaining it at https://tinyurl.com/ycd5odpf.

The Pineapple Industry was worth $52.4 million in 2014/15 with 67,434 tonnes produced as per the Hort Innovations Pineapple Fund Annual Report 2016/17.

There are also great handout on interpreting daily rainfall forecasts.

The weekly tropical outlook can be found on the BOM website or you can subscribe at https://tinyurl.com/y8jkt2tw.

Pineapple Field Days

Progressively the industry has been transitioning from being a principally processed commodity to a fresh commodity, but not without its few challenges.

I know I’ll be looking forward to seeing more fresh pineapples being marketed.

This year’s Pineapple Field Days were held in Rollingstone and hosted by the Pace

Hungry kangaroos attack the crop Mobs of kangaroos eating paddocks of juicy, fresh produce in their quest for food during the drought has left Growers hopping mad.

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association’s Carl Walker said he is one of many Growers affected, with his farm losing more than $200,000 worth of cucumbers from the local wildlife.

Mr Walker said the drought, coupled with economic downturn had made conditions

challenging for Growers, with the Bowen district no stranger to promises of handouts rather than hand ups.

He said that improved water infrastructure would minimise the impact of a future droughts.

Mr Walker said Bowen Growers were some of the most water efficient in Australia, and were the pioneers of trickle irrigation.

Drought affected kangaroos look for better pickings on local farms.

Make the connection DESIGN • WEB • PRINT

07 3040 4343 | EFFIGY.COM.AU PROUD DESIGNERS OF FRESH SOURCE MAGAZINE

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 25

Industry

Dinners, drought and a stunning video

By Bree Grima, Managing Director, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers

Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) congratulates Brisbane Produce Market for yet another successful annual Gala Dinner with the Managing Director attending the 1920s themed industry event.

The Gala Dinner was a fun night of food, music and networking and we thank Brisbane Markets® for the invitation and look forward to continuing the positive networking with all involved.

2018 Gala Dinner.

The event will be held on Saturday, 13 October 2018, at the Bundaberg Recreational Precinct.

The biannual dinner will pay tribute to our horticulture industry and BFVG has evolved since its inception in 1948.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at www.bit.ly/2GFyMlo, by phoning BFVG on 07 4153 3007 or emailing bfvg.info@bfvg.com.au.

Dry conditions

Promotional video

The Bundaberg district is not drought declared, with the status lifted earlier this year in the wake of strong summer falls.

I’m so proud of our region but for those who ever took such a fertile and geographically beautiful area for granted, they must see the recently released Bundaberg Agriculture Promotional Video.

However, producers within the greater Burnett are struggling, and more than half of Queensland remains droughtdeclared, with a 50% chance of the dry El Nino conditions forming later this year.

Our Growers are fabulous resource managers but I know many are waiting to see what the months ahead will bring them.

70 year anniversary

The five and half minute film, produced in conjunction with Bundaberg Regional Council, features stunning photography, some interesting and detailed interviews involving our BFVG Members, and a behind-the-scenes at how our sortafter fresh produce is produced.

Bundaberg’s growing harvest history Thirty-one years ago, the Bundaberg & District Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, now known as Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG), produced a book to tell the story of the region’s horticulture history.

As BFVG approaches its 70th year, the book makes for some timely reading.

The Growing Harvest – The Bundaberg & District Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association – From 1867 was authored

by Neville Rackemann.

It regaled the region’s humble beginnings to a horticulture power house, which has become an even bigger player today.

The book is still found in libraries and at online book stores.

You can check out the film at https://tinyurl.com/yayrqnum.

BFVG is celebrating its 70 year anniversary with a with a spectacular

26 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

An aerial view of Wallaville, 43km south of Bundaberg, photographed in April 2018. You can make out the productivity and beauty of the region with the release of a Bundaberg Agriculture Promotional Video.

The 1987 produced BFVG history book, recording the fertile Bundaberg region’s humble beginnings.

Lockyer Valley thirsty for rain Lockyer Valley Growers have warned that without summer rain, growers would need to cut back on their planting, with less fresh produce destined for market.

Vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower would be the hardest hit if the region does not receive the rain it needs to properly irrigate the crops.

Lockyer Valley Growers Association President, Michael Sippel, said Growers had enough underground water to get them through until next year.

“We’ll still see crops planted next winter, but farmers might change to more trickle irrigation and just reduce their areas,” Mr Sippel said.

The Lockyer Valley grows more than $370 million of produce annually.

It was drought declared in May, with the region not receiving decent rain since the 2013 Queensland floods.

Drought commissioners appointed The Queensland Government has appointed two drought commissioners in the wake of the Big Dry affecting the State.

They are former Liberal National Party politician, Vaughn Johnson, who lives in Longreach, and Mark O’Brien, who is a former Murweh Shire Mayor, from South West Queensland.

Mr Johnson said the ‘critical’ situation facing farmers is the worst he had seen in his 71 years.

He was a member of the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal Fund Distribution Committee through the devastating 2011 floods.

Mr O’Brien has over a decade of experience working with St Vincent De Paul and is on the organisation’s state board.

The commissioners will advise Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development, Mark Furner, on how best to deliver support to farmers, families and small businesses affected in drought affected communities.

Lockyer Valley Growers Association President, Michael Sippel, waiting for ground quenching rain.

WA spuds get the all-clear Eastern Australian states can expect to receive Western Australian potatoes by the end of 2018 after biosecurity efforts proved that a rare bug found in the west does not carry a damaging bacteria.

The tomato potato psyllid was detected in Western Australia 18 months ago, causing the Eastern states’ Markets to shut their doors to Western Australian potatoes.

The psyllid cannot be eradicated. However, Western Australia has met surveillance requirements to demonstrate the absence of the bacteria, allowing the eastern states to reopen their borders to the state’s potatoes.

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 27

Effectively managing teams in the workplace

By Sal Trujillo, Brisbane Markets Limited Human Resources Manager

Promoting and effectively managing teamwork is an essential function of any leader/manager to achieve results.

Teamwork has become more prevalent as it leads to better decision making, high employee satisfaction, achieving better business solutions and contributing to high performance workplaces.

Businesses are more likely to perform well when employees work effectively as a team.

Working together, a team can apply individual perspectives, experience, and skills to solve complex problems, creating new solutions and ideas that may be beyond the scope of any one individual.

Effectively improving teamwork in your workplace has advantages: Unity in the workplace – a teamwork environment promotes an atmosphere that fosters friendship and loyalty.

These close-knit relationships motivate employees in parallel and align them to work harder, cooperate and be supportive of one another.

Improved efficiency and productivity – it allows the workload to be shared, reducing the pressure on individuals, and ensures tasks are completed within a set time frame. It also allows goals to be more attainable, enhances the optimisation of performance, improves job satisfaction and increases work pace.

Creates learning opportunities – it enables employees to learn from one

28 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

another’s experience and mistakes. Team members are able to avoid future errors, gain insight from differing perspectives, and learn new concepts from more experienced colleagues.

Promotes workplace synergy - When team members are aware of their own responsibilities, roles, and the significance of their output, employees will be driven to share the same vision, values, and goals. The result creates a workplace environment based on fellowship, trust, support, respect, and cooperation.

Business owners/leaders can improve teamwork by: • Providing support and leading by example. This can be achieved by providing clear support and demonstrating how the activities of the team contribute to the strategy of the business. Leaders need to establish teamwork as a norm and assist in creating a fertile work environment for productivity.

• Establishing a clear purpose. A team works best when members can clearly understand its purpose and its goals. Leaders need to ensure that teams are clear about what they need to achieve and the purpose of the desired outcome.

• Setting ground rules. Encourage and allow the team to set rules or norms so everyone understands what will be tolerated in the team. Some rules could include sharing information and expertise, encouraging each

other, and taking responsibility for your own actions.

• Defining roles. Effective teams need to have empowered team members who are clear about their roles in the team and their required contribution.

• Encouraging communication.

Ensure information is shared amongst team members and insist that they communicate clearly, listen actively and explore opportunities rather than debate them.

• Defining decision making process.

Teams do have to make decisions and the way the team goes about it will be an indicator of its effectiveness.

In essence, team members must participate in the decision-making process, with the leader intervening as required.

• Focussing on strengths. Focus on an individuals’ strengths, and bring together a team of people that have a combined skillset to get the job done.

As long as everyone contributes by bringing a strong skill to the team, their weakness should not be dwelt on.

• Recognising and rewarding. Leaders need to recognise and reward contributions to team performance and achievement of desired outcomes.

It is also important to consider the developments in technology and how these can be utilised to enhance teams and their performance.

Murray Bros partners with CHEP Brisbane Markets®’ wholesaler and logistics firm, Murray Bros, has partnered with CHEP to transition from single use packaging to reusable solutions for greater supply chain efficiency.

Murray Bros is now using a combination of reusable packaging solutions, including pallets and Reusable Plastic Containers (RPCs) to handle their fresh produce to major clients.

CHEP has been working with Murray Bros General Manager, Susan Lewis, to look at ways to increase supply efficiencies, at the same time as reducing environmental impact, costs and damages.

important inroads into saving the environment.

“By share and reusing CHEP’s timber pallets and RPCs, we have successfully saved about 2,630 tonnes of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere and diverted 2,008 tonnes of solid waste,” Mr Feggans said.

“All that was achieved through the platform and avoiding single use packaging.”

She said that she had seen firsthand the benefits of working with CHEP, which included quality, reliability and flexibility in platform and service delivery.

“We find CHEP’s RPCs and pallets sturdy, easier to interlock for load stability and faster to handle with its four handles and lift lock mechanisms,” Ms Lewis said.

“The locking mechanism is a key point of difference when comparing CHEP’s platforms to single use alternatives, such as cardboard and other available equipment.

“We’ve been able to improve quality through the platform’s ability to better protect our produce. It even has the ability to cool and facilitate air flow.”

CHEP’s Senior Manager of Sustainability for the Asia Pacific Region, Lachlan Feggans, said Murray Bros had made

A productive business partnership: From left, Daniel King, of CHEP, and Daniel Morrissey, of Murray Bros, look over the multiple use Reusable Plastic Containers.

Queensland produce award winners Two Queensland Growers were named ‘From the Earth’ Gold Medalists in the 2018 delicious Produce Awards held in Sydney.

The Queensland winners were Skybury Tropical Plantation Sweet Red Papaya, on the Atherton Tablelands, and The Lime Caviar Company Finger Limes, in the Scenic Rim. Some of Australia’s most renowned chefs and food industry leaders formed a judging panel to hand out 15 trophies and 37 gold medals.

Evolving Customer requirements Increased competition Finding the right staff Consolidation IT systems

The celebrity judges and food industry leaders who named two Queensland Growers 2018 Gold Medalists.

YOUR BUSINESS MATTERS These are just some of the issues that are currently affecting Small and Medium Business.

Affinity Accounting Plus has extensive experience in the Markets Industry and can assist you to prepare and implement an effective Business Plan to watch your Business grow. Affinity Accounting Plus is located in the SouthGate East Commercial Centre in the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea.

07 3725 6100 | www.affinityplus.com.au PO BOX 399 BRISBANE MARKET QLD 4106

Spring 2018 FRESH SOURCE 29

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

1-31 October

6 December

Safety Month

Brisbane Markets® Christmas Drinks

A national campaign, supported by the Queensland Government, and businesses, such as Brisbane Markets Limited, to encourage workers and employers to commit to building safe and healthy workplaces.

The Fresh Centre, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, QLD

1 October

An invitation only annual get-to-together with tenant principals, sponsors, suppliers and key industry members.

Queen’s Birthday holiday

4 October

Contact: Brisbane Markets Limited, on (07) 3915 4200 or email admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

13 December Brisbane Markets® Christmas Barbecue

Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction

The Brisbane Produce Market, Rocklea. QLD

Brisbane Produce Market, Rocklea, QLD

Contact: Brisbane Markets Limited, on (07) 3915 4200 or email admin@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

Contact: Communications Department on (07) 3915 4349 or communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

An exciting annual event that brings the Markets community together, this year raising money for Diabetes Queensland and the MND & Me Foundation, with the highest bidder of the first symbolic tray of mangoes crowned the 2018 Mango King.

13 October Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers Industry Gala Dinner Bundaberg Recreational Precinct, Avoca, QLD

A fun-filled Christmas themed barbecue held on the Brisbane Produce Market trading floor for its community.

25 December Christmas Day public holiday

26 December Boxing Day public holiday

Contact: Communications Department on (07) 3915 4349 or communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

A biannual dinner embracing the Wide Bay Burnett Region’s horticulture industry, with this year’s formal event entitled “Uniting Front”, celebrating 70 years since the organisation’s establishment.

18-20 October Produce Marketing Association Fresh Summit + Expo Orange County Convention Center, Florida, USA Contact: Registrations and enquiries at www.pma.com/events/freshsummit The USA’s premier event for the fresh produce and flower sector including a conference, tour program and tradeshow with about 20,000 attendees from 60 countries expected.

NOVEMBER 14 November Brisbane Markets Limited AGM The Fresh Centre, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, QLD Contact: Joady Raph, Brisbane Markets Limited, on (07) 3915 4200 or email jraph@brisbanemarkets.com.au.

Annual General Meeting of Brisbane Markets Limited with all shareholders invited.

30 FRESH SOURCE Spring 2018

PUBLIC HOLIDAY TRADING HOURS Brisbane Produce Market will be closed to buyers and the public on the Queen’s Birthday holiday, 1 October 2018.

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

Toyota Material Handling is the forklift leader in Australia’s fresh fruit and vegetable markets.

1. Proven performers in the fruit and vegetable markets environment 2. New and used forklift purchase, rental or lease options 3. Superior service and parts back-up and support 4. Massive range with Toyota Material Handling’s world leading products 5. Flexible finance deals through Toyota Finance 6. Stability of dealing with the world’s largest forklift company

To make the smart choice and discover how Toyota Material Handling can make a difference to your operations, contact your local branch.

Hand Pallet Trucks

Power Pallet Trucks

Order Pickers

Walkie Stackers

Toyota Material Handling offer • New Sales • Pre-owned • Rentals • Finance • Service and Parts

Reach Forklifts

Battery Counterbalance

Engine Counterbalance

1800 425 438 www.toyotamaterialhandling.com.au

Elevated Work Platforms

Skid Steer Loaders