Fresh Source Autumn 2019

Autumn 2019 Issue

66

Summer of wild p6

Weather

BML announces half-yearly

Results p12

Oh

what a Night! p20

BRISBANE NIGHT MARKET

The magazine of

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

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CEO comment On Friday, 15 February 2019, Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) announced its half-yearly results, which included a net profit result, after tax, of $1.99 million for the half year ending 31 December 2018. The pleasing result included a steady pre-tax underlying profit of $6.99 million.

The announcement was made to the shareholder group, which has increased to over 300 as a result of the capital raising undertaken in the same half-year period.

Our total assets have increased by over 7% in that time, with net assets increasing by 22.5%. You can read more on page 12.

Night Market a hit It was my pleasure to attend the launch of the Brisbane Night Market on Friday, 15 February. The dedicated effort of the Brisbane MarketPlace team was evident in their delivery of a quality event and could be seen in the crowds on opening night.

It is clear by the number of people attending that the southside of Brisbane has been waiting for a quality venue for family entertainment.

You can see photos and read about the event on pages 20 and 21.

Improvement works continue

Industry reports tabled

Our Solar Project is powering along, with Stage 3 commencing in January 2019. On completion, BML’s solar assets will include over 11,500 solar panels, which will produce up to 15% of the site’s power requirements.

The Productivity Commission’s report into the regulation of Australian agriculture has been tabled, after two years of investigation. Likewise, the results of Food Standards Australia New Zealand’s investigation into the strawberry tampering incident have been released and make a number of interesting recommendations, especially in regards to traceability and industry representation.

The exterior of Building C1 is all but finished, and the interior is on track to be completed before May 2019.

We have completed extensive asphalt resurfacing works, which support our traffic management plan and our dedication to enhancing the safety of both pedestrians and vehicles at this site.

You can read more about these improvements on page 13.

Masters foster youth skills I am pleased to see our support of the Queensland Bulls Masters has helped the next generation of cricketers learn from these skilled sportsmen.

In December, the Bulls Masters held their Youth Cup in Mackay, and in February travelled to the Chinchilla Melon Festival where they ran school cricket clinics as well as facing off in a T20 match against the Chinchilla District Watermelons.

Our sponsorship of the Bulls Masters is just one way we can support regional areas where the state’s growers are located.

We have been following their exploits closely, and recommend following the live coverage on their Facebook page.

You can find more information, including links to the reports, on pages 10 and 11.

Wild weather It is with sadness that we watch the weather developments across the state. Fire has threatened some growers who have been struggling with drought conditions for a number of months, while the aftermath of flooding is impacting others.

You can read about some of these situations on pages 6 and 7.

I hope autumn and winter provide some stability for the state’s growers and that rain appears where it is needed.

A big welcome to BML’s new Communications and Marketing Executive, Seren Trump (no relation to Donald!). Seren has a range of responsibilities including the production of Fresh Source.

You can find out more about the Youth Cup and Chinchilla Melon Festival on pages 8 and 9.

Andrew Young, Chief Executive Officer, BML and Brismark

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE

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Contents 6 Fresh Updates 6 7 7 7 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 11 11

Granite Belt hit hard by heat Rain proves a boon for Bowen Wicked weather mars summer New growers group guides Granite Belt Old guard mentor new crew at Youth Cup Chinchilla goes big in time for festival New design limits produce damage Report recommends reducing red tape in agriculture Further afield at Fruit Logistica Mango industry set to celebrate, collaborate, create Silver medal season for mangoes Food Standards report into strawberry tampering released Rewarding excellence

12 Fresh Markets 12 BML announces a strong end to second half of 2018 12 Let’s get digital 13 Sun shines on Solar Stage 3 13 Building C1 starts to take shape 13 Smooth sailing from asphalt upgrade 14 Persimmon season in full swing 14 Donations a lifesaver for flood zone 16 Blooming beautiful Valentine’s Day

18 Fresh Perspectives 18 A trading hub with roots in time

20 Feature: Brisbane Night Market launches 22 Fresh Retailing 22 Proving to be ‘A Better Choice’ online and off 22 Cherries were in the bag at Christmas 24 Sam causes a stir at Westridge store 24 We find your local foodies for you 24 Mango King continues his reign 24 Using technology to sell produce

25 Fresh Industry 25 Planning and preparing your business for 2019 26 Industry goes bananas for biennial Congress 26 Supporting agricultural workplaces 26 Adam Liaw connects with horticulture in Melbourne 27 Wet heralds start of a strong season

28 Fresh Business 28 Leading and managing employees 29 How to create innovation within your business

30 Fresh Calendar

BRISBANE MARKETS LIMITED | ABN 39 064 983 017 PO Box 80, Brisbane Markets®, Rocklea, Queensland 4106 E communications@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 communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au DESIGN Effigy Creative P 07 3040 4343 | PRINT Buckner Printing P 07 3865 9677

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FRESH SOURCE

Autumn 2019

Fresh Source is the magazine of Brisbane Markets Limited. New editions of the magazine are printed three times a year. 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!

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Granite Belt hit hard by heat The Granite Belt has faced its hardest summer on memory, according to the president of the newly-formed Granite Belt Growers Association, Angus Ferrier.

Brisbane Produce Market wholesaler, Anthony Joseph of Alfred E Chave Pty Ltd, said that the excessive heat had affected the quality, and price, of produce at the Market.

January was 4°C hotter than average, with a quarter of the average rainfall, and overall 2018 was the driest calendar year since 2002.

“Towards the end of summer a lot of vegetables come from the southern parts of the country and the extreme heat those areas experienced really started to have an effect on the quality of produce,” Mr Joseph said.

“Eighteen months of below average rainfall combined with hotter than average temperatures has presented all growers with tough decisions,” Mr Ferrier said.

While growers with tree crops had no choice but to persevere, Mr Ferrier said they needed to strike a balance between maximising the season’s production with the long-term health of their trees.

“Those growing annual crops either reduced planting and still faced water shortages, planted more and had to cart water, or abandoned planting altogether,” Mr Ferrier said.

“Irrigation storages are being stretched to their limit, if not beyond. Those with some water will be presented with water stressed crops. Others have already run dry and been forced to abandon crops.”

At the time of going to print, Mr Ferrier and other Granite Belt producers were holding out for rain of “biblical” proportions.

Heat hit hard across Australia with a record-breaking summer.

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Autumn 2019

The heat resulted in supply issues for capsicums coming from South Australia and the Granite Belt, while in February wholesalers had to look further afield for broadacre vegetable crops like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, with prices increasing to cover the cost of transportation.

“While there were still vegetables around, the weather affected quality and pricing” Mr Joseph said.

“This creates a lack of demand in consumers: if they go to a store and the vegetables don’t look nice and the price is expensive, consumers just don’t buy them.”

Prices are expected to continue to rise over the next few months, especially in regard to vegetables such as lettuce, celery, eggplant, tomatoes, capsicum, broccoli and shallots.

Rain proves a boon for Bowen The rain in Bowen at the beginning of February was met with relief by Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Chair, Carl Walker, who at the time said it had provided the foundation for a good growing season for the area.

“The rain has been brilliant up to now, it has been a good soaking rain with minimal flooding. All the dams are filling up nicely and all the ground is saturated, which is what you want this time of year,” Mr Walker said.

“We don’t traditionally start planting until March so you want a good soaking rain to fill up the aquifers and dams so you aren’t stressing about water allocations. The rain, for us, is like pennies from heaven.”

“For the past few years we have been on 80 – 95% but after this water event I’d say we are back at 100%, which really takes the pressure off our growers.”

While the rain was of benefit to Bowen and the western regions, Mr Walker felt for those facing flooding in other regions, such as Townsville.

“Townsville is copping an absolute flogging and I feel for them, unfortunately they are really hurting,” Mr Walker said.

“But for everyone out west who desperately needed the rain, they’re feeling the love. They haven’t had rain in so long this is going to save their businesses. Sometimes someone has to hurt for others to gain.”

The Don River at full force near Bowen in February.

IMAGE: Cherry Emerick

Wicked weather mars summer 2018/19 was a summer of extremes with many growers experiencing their hottest summer on record.

In November, some areas of north tropical and central coast Queensland recorded their highest-ever temperatures, setting the scene for a record-breaking summer across Australia.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, January 2019 was Queensland’s warmest on record and also the driest for large areas of the central, and southern interior, as well as portions of the south eastern area of the state. On average, the state received 25% below long-term average rainfall.

By the end of January, Townsville was facing extreme flooding and at one stage received 200mm of water in just three hours. Flooding continued into February, with the Flinders, Ross, Don, and Burdekin rivers affected.

New growers group guides Granite Belt After years of discussion, growers in the Granite Belt now have a representative body to advocate on their behalf.

The Granite Belt Growers Association has over 50 members and president Angus Ferrier said he was excited to be involved in the group as it gets off the ground.

“It is something that has been talked about in the district for a number of years,” Mr Ferrier said.

“I think it’s very important this has happened. In today’s environment it’s essential that growers of all different categories of produce have representation at a local level from a group who can advocate for their specific issues.”

The growers participated in a field trip on 21 and 22 November to visit farms across northern NSW, followed by their inaugural Annual General Meeting and Christmas Party in Stanthorpe on 29 November.

The new board consists of Angus Ferrier (president), Nathan Baronio (vice president), David Andreatta (treasurer), and Deon Kirstein (secretary), along with Chris Wren, Daniel Nicoletti, John Patane, Stephen Tancred, and Trent Vedalago as general board members.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE

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Updates

Old guard mentor new crew at Youth Cup Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) was proud to see their sponsorship money go to good use during the Bulls Masters Youth Cup cricket tournament in Mackay.

From 16 to 20 December, eight under 16 regional zone teams played it out for the Cup under the watchful eye of the Queensland Bulls Masters.

The Bulls Masters team mentors Brendan Creevey, Gavin Fitness, Jimmy Maher, Mick Polzin, Nathan Reardon, Peter Drinnen, and Ken Healy with Brisbane Markets®’ Luke Leeson (second from right).

BML sponsors the Bulls Masters, who cover the cost of each participating team to travel, stay and play at the event, as well as providing a past-Queensland cricket representative to help coach and mentor these up-and-coming cricketers.

The event was a great opportunity for BML to show its support for growing regions, as teams travelled from all over Queensland to attend.

Cup hosts Mackay/Whitsunday Nitros were able to take out reigning champions the Darling Downs Suns in the final, chasing down their 83 runs with only three wickets down.

The 2018 Bulls Masters Youth Cup winners and hosts, the Mackay/Whitsunday Nitros.

The North Queensland Monsoons relax between games.

Gavin Fitness provides batting tips during the Chinchilla Elite Development Clinic.

DID YOU KNOW? Bulls Masters live streams games on social media to extend their reach to all regions of Queensland. Visit https://www.facebook.com/ bullsmasters/ to find out more.

Player of the Tournament, Sam Guerin, receives the Matt Hayden Award.

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Autumn 2019

Chinchilla goes big in time for festival

New design limits produce damage

Chinchilla’s biennial Melon Festival received a humongous boost with crowds flocking to see their new Big Melon.

A new design of tomato box is proving promising in the fight to prevent damage to produce in transit from central Queensland to the Brisbane Produce Market.

The Chinchilla Melon Festival ran from 14 to 16 February, with locals and tourists alike participating in the event’s 25th anniversary celebrations, including melon tossing, pip spitting, melon weigh-ins, and even a melon skiing competition.

The four-tonne, nine-metre-long Big Melon is the result of Australia’s melon capital winning the popular public vote in Wotif.com’s Next Big Thing competition at the end of 2018.

The four-day festival also featured a game of T20 cricket starring our very own Bulls Masters cricket team who played against a local invitational side, the Chinchilla District Watermelons.

The Bulls Masters ran popular school cricket clinics and the T20 match was very well supported, with more than 2,000 locals in attendance.

The Bulls Masters team included Queensland cricket legends Jimmy Maher, Michael Kasprowicz, Nathan Hauritz, Nathan Reardon, Carl Rackemann, Geoff Foley, Gavin Fitness, Ken Healy and Queensland rugby league legends, Allan Langer and Andrew Gee. Bulls Masters batted first and scored 108 in their 20 overs. The biggest contributions were from Nathan Haruitz, who scored 31, and Gavin Fitness, who scored 24.

The box has been designed by Yatala-based manufacturers, Oji, and is being tested by Young Sang & Co. at their United Wholesalers & Growers division in central Queensland.

Young Sang & Co. General Manager, Daniel Scavo, said that the box was a solution to a problem that had plagued the industry for years.

“We found there was a lot of crushing of the boxes and shifting of those pallets in transit, which caused major issues and major costs to our bottom line. We had approached a lot of other companies but unfortunately they weren’t very successful in coming up with an appropriate design,” Mr Scavo said.

“We sat down with Oji, explained our concerns, and they came back to us with a great design. The strength of the new boxes was very impressive, as was the quality, and the way they are formed is something we hadn’t seen before.”

Mr Scavo said the cost of the boxes was comparable to current options. Last season, tomatoes were transported to the Brisbane Produce Market in the new boxes, and boxes for transporting capsicum and zucchini are currently in development.

Chinchilla were in trouble early as Geoff Foley and Nathan Hauritz showed their class with the ball to have the locals struggling at 5 for 25. Chinchilla never recovered, finishing at all out for 70.

The Big Melon took pride of place in Chinchilla in time for the Melon Festival in February.

DID YOU KNOW? Chinchilla’s Big Melon took out the Next Big Thing prize ahead of shortlisted finalists Glen Innes (NSW) and their Big Kilt, Kingaroy (QLD) and their Big Peanut, and Mittagong (NSW) and their Big Tulip.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE

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Updates

Report recommends reducing red tape in agriculture

Silver medal season for mangoes

The results of the Productivity Commission’s ‘Regulation of Australian Agriculture’ inquiry have been tabled, with industry groups broadly in support of the recommendations of the report.

Quality of fruit has been exceptional, with flavour tests returning excellent results across all varieties in all growing regions.

In response to the inquiry, the Federal Government has supported the majority of the recommendations, but has said they would not follow through with the report’s suggestion to relax screening thresholds for foreign ownership of farmland and agribusinesses.

A copy of the report and the Federal Government’s full response is available at https://bit.ly/2IujT1B.

This year the Australian mango season is expected to finish on a high, with predictions of the second biggest crop the industry has ever produced.

While the record volumes of 2017/18 season are not expected, it is forecast that around 10 million trays will have been dispatched by the end of the 2018/19 season.

Brisbane Produce Market wholesaler, Sam Haddad, Principal at HE Heather & Co., said that both supply and demand were plentiful across the season with plenty of fruit coming through to meet the needs of consumers over Christmas.

“All varieties of mango were beautiful this year. There was perfect growing conditions and they had excellent flavour,” Mr Haddad said.

“Besides two weeks of extreme hot weather that affected the appearance of the fruit, it’s been another good year for mangoes.”

Making the cut: the Productivity Commission has recommended a reduction in bureaucracy for agriculture.

Further afield at Fruit Logistica Almost 80,000 people from 130 countries visited over 3,000 exhibitors when they descended on Berlin for FRUIT LOGISTICA last month.

Held from 6 to 8 February, the annual international fruit and vegetable industry trade fair brought together researchers and scientists, importers and exporters, growers, wholesalers and retailers, packaging and logistics from around the world.

ASIA FRUIT LOGISTICA will be held in Hong Kong from 4 to 6 September, for more information visit: www.asiafruitlogistica.com.

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A sweet selection of mangoes were sold over summer.

Mango industry set to celebrate, collaborate, create To celebrate another great season, the mango industry is gearing up for its biennial conference.

Held in Darwin and hosted by the Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA), the conference will be held from 14 to 17 May. AMIA is inviting everyone involved in the mango industry to attend, and you can become involved as a conference exhibitor or sponsor of the event.

To register your attendance or find out about exhibiting and sponsoring the event visit: https://bit.ly/2GWoHKX.

Food Standards report into strawberry tampering released Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) has released its report into the strawberry tampering incident of September 2018.

The report highlights the positives, and the negatives, in the response to the incident. Seven key recommendations have been made including a review of food incident report protocols in all jurisdictions, a central agency to coordinate efforts across jurisdictions, and formal links between police, health departments and regulators.

In responding to the report, some in the industry have highlighted that existing traceability arrangements within the supply chain had worked, with questions raised as to the percentage of contamination that actually occurred within retail outlets.

The full report can be found at: https://bit.ly/2SRL23q.

The report also suggested a review of the National Food Incident Response Protocol, particularly in regard to triggers for activation and management of intentional food contamination. In regards to the horticulture industry, the FSANZ report recommended a strengthening of traceability as well as a representative body to support crisis response and preparedness.

Rewarding excellence Do you know someone who has made an outstanding contribution to Australian horticulture?

Nominations are open for the 2019 National Awards for Excellence, which recognise the hard work of the individuals and companies that make the industry great.

Award categories include Grower of the Year, Marketer of the Year, Young Grower of the Year, Researcher of the Year, and Exporter of the Year, as well as other accolades that celebrate industry impact, women in horticulture, community stewardship, and commitment to sustainable farming.

To submit a nomination visit https://bit.ly/2VbRMFU.

FSANZ have released recommendations in the wake of the 2018 tampering incident.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 11

BML announces a strong end to second half of 2018 The Board of Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) has announced its financial results for the half-year ended 31 December 2018, with a net profit after tax of $1.99 million.

The pleasing result, which was announced to shareholders on Friday, 15 February 2019, included a steady pre-tax underlying profit of $6.99 million.

During the half-year, the company finalised the allocation of shares following the heavily oversubscribed capital raising, securing $38.4 million.

137 new investors increased the total number of shareholders in the company to just over 300.

BML will use the capital to support the ongoing upgrading and development of the Brisbane Markets® site as outlined in the Prospectus dated 19 July 2018.

BML Chairman, Tony Joseph, said the result reflected the group’s ongoing investment into the Brisbane Markets® site, including the development of the new 5,578m2 Montague Group warehouse, while also progressing negotiations and the design development process in relation to a potential new warehouse for Global Fresh Australia Pty Ltd. “A number of projects are being progressed across the site, many of which are due for completion over the course of the next six months,” said Mr Joseph.

“Some of these projects, such as roof and gutter replacements, asphalt resurfacing, sluice valve replacements and electrical upgrading works, are non-income producing, but necessary to ensure the continued upkeep of the Brisbane Markets® site,” he said.

Development projects have contributed to an increase in total assets of 7.1% since June 2018 to $387.7 million, with the group’s net assets increasing by 22.5% to $190.5 million over the same period, including proceeds from the capital raising.

The interim dividend to be paid to shareholders for the half-year is 8.0 cents per share fully paid and 4.0 cents per partly paid share, fully franked.

The company’s financial performance was subject to review by the company’s auditors, BDO Audit Pty Ltd.

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Let’s get digital Fresh Source is now released digitally, first.

As the popularity of Fresh Source has increased, our subscribers are finding it easier, and quicker, to read the magazine on their mobile, tablet or computer. So now BML is sending the digital version direct to email before the limited hard copy run is posted.

Interested parties can opt-in to the email version by visiting https://bit.ly/2NjeJ7r.

Alternatively, email your name, company and email address to communications@brisbanemarkets.com.au or phone (07) 3915 4200.

Smooth sailing from asphalt upgrade Heavy traffic, vehicles turning, environmental spills and even the weather can contribute to a breakdown in the durability of an asphalt surface, which is why Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) is working hard to maintain our road network across the site.

A bumpy road can be unsafe and can cause damage to produce as it is being transported, so every year BML progresses extensive asphalt resurfacing works to maintain the site’s roadways.

Powering along: Stage 3 of the Solar Project is well underway.

Sun shines on Solar Stage 3

BML has recently completed a project to resurface over 18,000m2 of asphalt across the site, including major vehicle entry points at the Front Gate and the Western Access Road.

All of these works included the application of consistent line marking to support our traffic management plan, designed to increase vehicle and pedestrian safety.

The roofs of a number of buildings have been replaced in preparation for the installation of new solar panels and associated infrastructure as part of Stage 3 of the Solar Project. The project to install over 6,800 additional solar panels on the roofs of 12 buildings across the site commenced in January 2019.

Stage 2 of the solar installation project saw just under 5,000 additional solar panels installed on seven building roofs across the site, bringing the total number of panels on site to 8,249. These were completed in November 2017.

BML’s solar assets currently generate over 3Gwh of electricity per annum, which is the equivalent of powering 600 households and equates to over 6% of the site’s electricity requirements.

On completion of Stage 3, it is expected that BML’s solar assets will generate up to 7Gwh of power annually, which will supply approximately 15% of the site’s power requirements.

New asphalt surface adorns the front of the Brisbane Produce Market.

Building C1 starts to take shape The construction of Building C1 continues to progress, with the interior of the building beginning to take shape.

The external structural steel frame and insulated panel walls are complete.

Construction of the internal office area will commence shortly and the project is progressing towards completion in April 2019.

Shaping up well: only the finishing touches to go on the exterior of Building C1.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 13

Markets

Persimmon season in full swing Persimmons herald the start of autumn and have hit the Market ready for Your Local Fruit Shop shelves.

According to Chris Stillard, President of Persimmons Australia, the 2019 persimmon season is shaping up well, in spite of the extended hot, dry conditions experienced across the growing regions in eastern Australia.

“Most regions had a normal to heavy flowering in spring, followed by a good fruit set. While there was a fair bit of fruit drop early on, I think we are looking at an above average crop overall,” Mr Stillard said.

The season in Western Australia, in contrast, is coming off the back of a wet winter in the Perth Hills and the persimmon trees have benefitted. Flowering was heavy and predictions are for a bumper harvest from that state.

“Annual production of persimmons across Australia has been sitting around 2,500 tonnes, but there is a lot of interest from fruit growers along the Murray River and in the Perth Hills who are looking at persimmons as an alternative crop,” Mr Stillard said.

Persimmons are well suited to Australian conditions, preferring sub-tropical to mild climates. They are tolerant to heat but do not like extreme cold and are also drought resistant.

Mr Stillard is confident that persimmons have a very bright future, providing that growers and their supply chain partners keep the quality up and look after their markets.

Donations a lifesaver for flood zone A combined effort from across the Market community has seen 4,400 litres of water travel over 1,700kms to assist those in the flood-ravaged Cloncurry area, while fresh fruit has been delivered to Julia Creek.

Located in the Flinders River catchment, flood waters at Cloncurry and Julia Creek have resulted in huge stock losses and a contaminated water supply.

Brisbane Markets Limited has donated boxes of fruit, as well as other useful items, to provide sustenance to helicopter pilots assisting with the clean-up. The care package was distributed by Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, Mark Furner, during his tour of the region on 10 February.

The water donation was organised through Adam Dilworth, Managing Director of Fruitlink, who enlisted the support of Barry Hamilton, Managing Director of Nu-Pure Water, and Tom Desman of Emerald Refrigerated Logistics.

Nu-Pure Water donated 7,488 bottles of water while Emerald Refrigerated Logistics supplied the transport, driving over 18 hours to ensure the water arrived at the Daniels Cattle Company in Cloncurry where farm manager, Mick Grant, was on hand to distribute it to people in the region who are in desperate need of fresh drinking water.

The water donation was arranged after Tony Joseph, Alfred E Chave Principal, checked in with Mr Grant to see how he could help.

“I called Mick to check in to see how he was doing after the floods, and he said the area was in desperate need of clean water and powdered milk,” Mr Joseph said.

“It only took 24 hours from the first phone call to the water arriving in Cloncurry, everyone was very happy to be involved.”

DID YOU KNOW? Persimmons are grown in all mainland states of Australia, with the season starting in late February in Queensland and extending into June, with supply coming from the southern states and Western Australia. The fruit is high in antioxidants, packed with Vitamin C and beta carotene, with double the dietary fibre of apples.

Crisp and crunchy sweet persimmons are great for snacking and in lunch boxes. You can also add them to autumn salads and cheese platters.

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Markets

Blooming beautiful Valentine’s Day Brisbane Flower Market was a hive of activity in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. rs’ Marion Mirciov being Brisbane Market Flowe Channel 9.

For over a week before the event, trucks arrived 24 hours a day loaded with blossoms from the Lockyer Valley, Redlands, Victoria, and even Central America, Africa and India to meet the demand from florists and lovers across south east Queensland.

interviewed by

As usual, roses were very popular and a plethora of varieties were available from all the florists at cheaper prices than boutique florists, making Brisbane Flower Market a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

The Market proved the perfect backdrop for the media, with visits from television, magazine, and radio reporters capturing the atmosphere.

Mid-week Valentine’s Day events always prove popular as they give workers extra days to slip away from their desks to personally choose a posy, call in at the Brisbane Flower Market, or order a floral surprise to be delivered to a loved one.

Kieran Poole dropped by to collect a bouquet for his Valentine.

Brisbane Flower Market wholesalers reported an increase in enquiries, and online orders for florist deliveries were up to double of those in previous years. Social media proved to be a big driving force for purchases, with some wholesalers reporting an increase in orders as a direct response to their Instagram campaigns.

160,000 roses were delivered to Lynch Market Flowers over the week before Valentine’s Day. Pictured is Andrew Sanger with just one of the deliveries.

While roses are always popular, shoppers like Sean Rodrigues were also able to purcha se other gifts.

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Roses on display at Redlands Fresh Flowers.

Central Markets are important links joining on e vast horticulture supply chain.

Fresh Perspectives provid es an insight into this rich and varied industry, focusi ng on the characters, and characteristics, of the wo rld of horticulture.

A trading hub with roots in time The Brisbane Produce Market (BPM) is the extension of a trading system that has existed for a millennium.

efficient distribution of a product to the most appropriate customer.

So says BPM wholesaler Stephen Edwards who, in his 23 years at Murray Bros, has seen the Market both evolve and remain consistent.

“There’s an efficiency in produce coming from farm in large volumes, in one hit, to a Central Market where it can be marketed and distributed to multiple customers, in multiple parts of the industry,” Mr Edwards said.

“The sale and supply chain around fresh produce has been going for thousands of years,” Mr Edwards said.

“Even today, produce still needs to be grown in agricultural areas and transported to the end consumer, a fair bulk of whom live in urban areas. The process has always existed, it’s just how the produce is moved, who is involved, and the value that is being added that evolves over time.”

Challenging the industry Graham Rowles, from Perfection Brisbane, has been located at Brisbane Markets® for 10 years and sees a lack of consistent water supply to be the greatest challenge facing the horticulture supply chain in Queensland.

“Australia is the driest continent on the planet and a lack of water in our growing regions is going to be reflected in prices at a retail level in the future. We are expecting produce prices to rise significantly over the next few months,” Mr Rowles said.

Educating the consumer that some fruits cannot always be available all year round, as well as sourcing produce nationally and internationally to keep up with demand, were just two tactics Mr Rowles suggests to address this challenge.

According to Mr Edwards, the challenge for wholesalers in horticulture has remained the same for a long time: to demonstrate your value and relevance to the supply chain.

“We should look for the most difficult, challenging parts of the process, and focus on doing those things well, whether that is marketing and distribution to particular customers or particular parts of the industry, prepacking or looking after cool chain and storage, or looking after the ripening process,” Mr Edwards said.

Network to grow relationships Both Mr Edwards and Mr Rowles said Central Markets played an important role in the supply and distribution of fresh produce, as well as being a hub where industry relationships were built.

Mr Edwards said Central Markets enabled the easy and 18 FRESH SOURCE

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According to Mr Rowles, being a part of a Central Market allows wholesalers to be close to local growers, retailers, and consumers.

“Each state has a different personality and Central Markets are essential to ensuring personal relationships stay strong,” Mr Rowles said.

Mr Edwards agreed, saying “Trading is still very focused on building relationships, and servicing people in a very personal and tailored way. You need to understand your customers’ needs and make sure you adapt to them.”

Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) regularly facilitates tours of the BPM, which allow growers to meet their wholesalers and gain a working knowledge of how their produce is transported, handled, stored and marketed.

Mr Rowles said “If a grower would like to know how their stock looks at the Market, I highly recommend coming by. I think every grower should make the time to have a look at their product being sold and physically compare their product with other peoples’.”

Providing for the next generation Being involved in the supply of a product that is healthy and beneficial is one of the most encouraging aspects of the industry, according to both Mr Rowles and Mr Edwards.

“I find it encouraging that we sell things that are actually good for people. Fundamentally, we are dealing with a great product, trying to increase consumption of that product, and it is ultimately good for people’s health to eat more of the products we provide,” Mr Edwards said.

This sentiment was shared by Mr Rowles, who said “the future of the industry lies with our kids”.

“We are competing with potato chips and chocolate bars, collectively we need to encourage the consumption of fresh produce, especially in children,” Mr Rowles said.

“To achieve this, we need to find the tastiest varieties and smaller packaging so that people eat fresh produce for convenience. If the kids choose it because they like it and it is easy to handle in their lunch box, it will become a habit that they will pass on to their own children.”

Mr Rowles said a move to more environmentally-friendly packaging was an immediate concern.

“A sense of social responsibility and commitment to environmental issues, in both consumers and retailers, is pushing biodegradable packaging to the fore,” Mr Rowles said.

Future of opportunity For Mr Edwards, the biggest change to the industry from a wholesaler perspective has been the diversification of additional services, above and beyond the trading floor.

While the nature of trading hadn’t dramatically changed, technology has affected the administration of wholesale businesses.

Stephen Edwards, Managing Director of Murray Bros.

“Prepacking, ripening, supermarket supply, import and export, clearances and logistics, that’s where innovation has more of an effect,” Mr Edwards said.

“The consumption of certain products has increased because the consumer is now getting a product that is ready, or almost ready, to eat. Whereas 30 years ago, consumers would purchase green produce and then wait five days for it to ripen. Now it can be eaten within a day or two.”

According to Mr Rowles, innovation in machinery was an answer to both increasing labour costs and food security.

“From planting and harvesting, to packing sheds and logistics, machinery is changing the way we work, making it more productive, safe and efficient,” Mr Rowles said.

Graham Rowles, General Manager of Perfection Brisbane.

Grower Tip Visit the Brisbane Produce Market to see your product on display and physically compare it to other other growers’ produce.

To arrange a tour, contact your wholesaler or call BML’s Communications Department on (07) 3915 4349 or email communications@ brisbanemarkets.com.au.

Hive of activity: trading in action at Brisbane Produce Market.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 19

Feature

Oh what a night!

Brisbane’s south turns out for the launch of the Brisbane Night Market The Brisbane Night Market, the south side’s newest culinary destination, launched on Friday, 15 February to a bustling crowd of thousands ready to enjoy an evening of entertainment and street food.

Organised by Brisbane MarketPlace, this new venture is located under the roof of the Brisbane Produce Market, making it Brisbane’s first fully undercover outdoor market venue.

“There’s nothing like this on the south side of Brisbane,” said Brisbane Night Market spokesperson, Luke Leeson.

Brisbane Night Market’s family-friendly atmosphere was an instant hit, with free parking and cuisine from around the world provided by more than 40 food outlets.

Gnocchi Gnocchi Domesieo provides taste tests for .

Brothers

“There are plenty of food options available, but we’ve also got clothing, arts and crafts, flowers and artisan stalls, you really will be spoiled for choice,” said Mr Leeson.

Brisbane Night Market is a great place to meet with friends after work and proved to be an event for the whole family, with children enjoying the entertainment provided by street performers, gladiator jousting and jumping castles in the kids’ corner.

Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed the bucking bull, two licensed bars, and entertainment provided by Vince Gelonese, Candice Dianna, and the loveable duo Vision NZ. Feedback on social media was hugely positive, with the Brisbane Night Market set to become a permanent entry on Brisbane’s weekly calendar.

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a hit with families.

The atmosphere was

What you need to know Entry: $2.50 entry fee per person. Children under 15 years free.

Trading hours: Every Friday, from 4pm-10pm.

Location: Brisbane Produce Market, 385 Sherwood Road, Rocklea.

Parking: Free parking! Over 700 parking spaces within 100 metres.

Brisbane Night Marke t is a great place to me et with friends after work.

wd warmed up the cro Vince Gelonese . energetic crooning

with his ed the food on offer at SJ, Soraya and Sario lov t.

Brisbane Night Marke

the

The crowd enjoyed the 40 food stalls while listening to the entertainment provided by Vince Gelonese and Candice Dianna.

Wallace from Samba Catering Co. stirring up a storm of paella.

Toni and Robert Davis being served by Jessie -Lee Darby at Sarah’s Gourm et Creations.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 21

Proving to be ‘A Better Choice’ online and off In just three months, A Better Choice (ABC) has amassed an impressive 40,000 online followers.

As the National Retail Program, ABC is a collaboration between Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) and the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA), to provide a national approach that promotes the independent retail sector that sells fruit and vegetables purchased through Australia’s Central Markets.

Concluding its second quarter, ABC continues to perform exceptionally well, with all major key growth metrics producing impressive numbers and digital engagement continuing to exceed all forecasts.

As the national content strategy shifts focus towards exclusive content production, engagement numbers have continued to show strong growth across both digital publications and social media channels within core consumer demographics.

With an exciting 2019 year ahead, the key strategic priorities for the program will focus on retailer engagement to increase the number of affiliated independent retailers within the program.

Engagement exceeds expectations as A Better Choice proves popular online and in real life.

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Cherries were in the bag at Christmas In the lead up to Christmas, cherries were put in the spotlight on independent fruit shop shelves, following a combined effort by industry players.

ABC/Your Local Fruit Shop joined forces with Brisbane Produce Market cherry wholesalers, Australian Cherry Growers Association, and Horticulture Innovation Australia to promote Australian cherries across South East Queensland.

The campaign commenced in early December, with tasting events held across stores and customers receiving a free reuseable tote bag when they purchased 500g of cherries.

Consumers got a sweet surprise before Christmas with tasting events and a free re-useable tote bag when purchasing 500g of cherries.

You just can’t beat the fresh fruit and vegetables, handpicked from the Brisbane Produce Market every morning by experts from Your Local Fruit Shop.

Find Your Local Fruit Shop throughout South East Queensland for the highest quality and freshest produce from the market.

RETAILING

Sam causes a stir at Westridge store Rugby league legend, Your Local Fruit Shop ambassador and known foodie, Sam Thaiday caused quite a commotion when he dropped into Westridge Fruit and Vegetables in Toowoomba recently.

Fans young and old came to say hello, with over 300 people attending the store and watching as Sam shared some of his salad-making secrets. Several live feeds were posted on Facebook during the event, as fans lined up to putt the Brussels sprout as well as grab an autograph and selfie with Sam.

We find your local foodies for you Foodies were put at the forefront over the last quarter of 2018, when Brisbane Produce Market’s independent retailers program A Better Choice (ABC)/Your Local Fruit Shop (YLFS) positioned their member stores as THE destination to purchase genuinely fresh, local produce sourced by experts.

Several local foodies hit the airwaves to discuss why they choose ABC/YLFS stores when buying their produce with the radio advertisements being played on 97.3 in Brisbane, Gold Coast Hot Tomato, Sunshine Coast Hit 91.9 and Toowoomba Hit 100.

Bus shelters across Brisbane were ablaze with ABC/YLFS signage, featuring local fruiterers, reminding commuters of the best place to shop.

As part of the campaign, a letterbox drop to 165,000 households within a 5km radius of each ABC/YLFS store invited local residents to visit and collect a free item while stock lasted. ABC/YLFS stores delighted their customers by giving away thousands of melon ballers and juices across southeast QLD.

Always a crowd pleaser, Sam Thaiday with the team at Westridge Fruit and Vegetables in Toowoomba.

Using technology to sell produce Technology advances are literally changing every aspect of the way businesses operate and fresh produce is no exception.

To embrace change and further innovation in the retail arena, Brismark is the major owner of BuyFruit.com.au. This web-based ordering platform was purchased to allow ABC/YLFS retailers to compete in the rapidly growing online fresh food market.

Local online shopping has exploded in popularity over the past five years and is predicted to see substantial growth with more than half of Australian consumers saying they will use an online order and delivery service. By investing in new technologies like this, Brismark is helping retailer program members get established early in this growing market, knowing that convenience will continue to be a powerful motivator.

Mango King continues his reign ABC/YLFS retailer and 2018 Mango King, Dominic Casagrande of Megafresh Carina and Chandler, continues to bask in the glory of his winning bid.

He recently received a surprise visit from Bianca, Mike and Bob from 97.3FM, receiving a framed photograph of his win and a few customers were lucky enough to have their groceries paid for by 97.3FM as well as receiving a free reusable bag.

Dominic had the winning bid of $13,000 for the season’s symbolic first tray of mangos. All proceeds raised during the auction were donated to two worthy charities working towards a healthier community: Diabetes Queensland and the MND & Me Foundation.

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King of the crop Bianca, Mike and Bob from 97.3FM present 2018 Mango King Dominic Casagrande with a framed picture of his win so he can share his new-found fame with his customers.

Planning and preparing your business for 2019

By Gail Woods, General Manager, Brismark

As 2019 begins, it is the time to plan and prepare for the year ahead. A good way to start is by reviewing your policies and procedures in line with any legislative changes to ensure your business is fully complaint. Key changes have been made particularly in the areas of the Chain of Responsibility (CoR) laws, family and domestic violence leave, and modern slavery legislation.

New year, new ideas The New Year brings opportunities, new ideas and business innovation to the foreground. Out of the box thinking and a refreshed team can create the perfect environment for process improvements and new ideas to flourish and evolve.

Implementing continuous improvements and small incremental changes throughout the year can make a large

difference to your end of year results.

It is also the time for goal setting, developing your new key performance indicators and thinking about how you will grow through professional development.

and the Central Markets Associate of Australia (CMAA) will again showcase Australia’s fresh produce Markets as trade show exhibitors at Hort Connections 2019 in Melbourne from 24 to 26 June.

One of the best ways to do that is through industry conferences. They are ideal for learning about innovation, trends and hot topics like food waste and the war on plastic packaging.

Conferences and trade shows are a great place to meet up with people you may only see once a year and make new contacts.

This year’s event is being promoted as the most influential space for networking, education and business for the entire fresh produce industry. At Hort Connections, you can experience a mix of conferencing with great speakers, the three-day tradeshow, a retail tour, horticulture field day and socialising.

Making connections The national industry program representing fruit and vegetable wholesalers across Australia’s Central Markets, Fresh Markets Australia (FMA)

There is always plenty happening in the produce industry. This makes it easy for all of us to focus on the urgent and forget about the important. Taking time to plan with your team and prepare for 2019 will ensure that you are focused on the things that matter most.

Make the connection DESIGN • WEB • PRINT

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

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 25

Industry

Supporting agricultural workplaces

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

With several public holidays in the first half of the year, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers (BFVG) is ensuring producers remain vigilant in their employer workplace obligations and pay staff accordingly.

BFVG’s Qld Agricultural Workforce Officer assists producers with all workforce topics and BFVG eagerly awaits approval to run a Regional Employment Trials program aimed at developing a workforce for agricultural careers. We’re working hard to ensure agriculture is the career of choice for today’s students.

Regional Advocacy BFVG maintains a close working relationship with peak representative

bodies that have a presence in the Wide Bay Burnett Region.

BFVG is also pleased to announce the mining permits that were held by Blue Energy Mining and blanketed the region, threatening 3000km2 of prime agricultural land, have been relinquished.

We are extremely grateful to the producers and community members that supported this campaign to ensure agriculture remained protected and placed at the forefront of the region.

Your message was heard loud and clear: mining has no place on prime agricultural and productive land.

Regional Events

Australia’s largest gathering of banana growers, industry representatives and decision makers is set to take place on the Gold Coast from 22 to 24 May. The Australian Banana Industry Congress is the industry’s premier biennial event and more than 12 months of planning has gone into developing a comprehensive two-day, grower-focused program to be delivered at Royal Pines Resort.

Speakers will cover on-farm innovation, latest research and development, practical business tips, motivation and much more. On top of that, exhibitors from across the country will display the latest in relevant programs and technology at the five-star venue.

“I am genuinely excited for what 2019 holds for the Australian Banana Industry Congress,” said Congress chair and Far North Queensland grower Paul Inderbitzin.

“With a condensed program and a fantastic venue, our dedicated team will ensure we take Congress to the next level.”

Presenters already confirmed for the event include Queensland football great Shane Webke, leading social commentator Bernard Salt, and Rachel Robertson who led an Australian National Antarctic Research Expedition to Davis Station. Banana growers themselves will also take centre stage, presenting on innovations including a track bagging machine and a pivoting head slasher.

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Previously coordinated by Austsafe Super, BFVG has taken the reins and will continue to provide this important social event, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and LifeFlight.

This is a great opportunity to purchase a table and invite your customers in the region to attend. You can purchase tickets by visiting http://bit.ly/2W55OL3.

We are also actively seeking donations for the Charity Auction. If you have an item to donate, big or small, we would be very grateful. Please phone the office on (07) 4153 3007 for more information.

Grab your boots for the Women In

Industry goes bananas for biennial Congress

For more information and early bird tickets visit: www.bananacongress.org.au.

Boots Agriculture Charity Races on Saturday, 4 May, at the Bundaberg Race Club.

Adam Liaw connects with horticulture in Melbourne Masterchef winner turned celebrity chef, Adam Liaw, is headlining Hort Connections 2019, to be held at the Melbourne Convention Centre from 24 to 26 June.

Exploring the theme of ‘Growing our Food Future’, Hort Connections will see the who’s who of the local and international horticulture supply chain gather to discuss on-farm and supply chain practices, review consumer behaviour and consumption trends, and focus on the future of food production.

Over 3,250 delegates from more than 30 countries are expected to attend the joint initiative of AUSVEG and the Produce Marketing Association AustraliaNew Zealand (PMA A-NZ). For more information and to register as a delegate to the event, please visit: https://hortconnections.com.au/.

Wet heralds start of a strong season

By Cherry Emerick, Industry Development Officer, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association

It has been a great start to the year with the end of January bringing hundreds of millimetres of rain and what a sight to see the mighty Don River flowing.

Wet weather While there is no crop in the ground, Mother Nature is doing her best filling up the soil with moisture which will lay the foundations for a good start to the season. The replenishing of underground aquifers will also reduce the pressure on farmers for water allocations.

Early in February, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) president, Carl Walker, and other growers and residents in the Cheffins Road area were cut off from the rest of the region. This meant the area was only accessible by boat, making replenishing stocks difficult as the bridge, which was under repair, was submerged by water.

Industry update Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) training, along with soil and health workshops, were held in February and were very successful. The next round of workshops are expected to be held in April or May. With the easing of the rain comes a return to farm visits when any concerns surrounding a successful season can be voiced.

event where growers and industry come together for an evening of fine dining and entertainment, with the local produce that supports our region being a focal point. Please ensure that you save this date and call our office to speak with Liane for any enquires (07) 4785 2860.

Market access is always on the agenda, and we are working cohesively with stakeholders to gain access to New Zealand for different commodities that will allow the quality of produce not to be compromised, ensuring greater shelf life.

Gala event Our annual Gala Dinner, a key industry event, is to be held on 7 June 2019. This is BGGA’s main industry networking

DID YOU KNOW? The biennial Australian Nut Conference will be held at the Dockside Convention Centre in Sydney from 25 to 27 March.

For more information or to register for the event visit: https://nutindustry.org.au/ conference-2019/.

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Access by boat only when the new bridge works were submerged at the beginning of February on the Don River near Cheffins Road, Bowen.

*Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. Please also read the relevant AustSafe Super Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and the “Merger information” at www.austsafe.com.au before making a decision about in relation to the product. Austsafe Pty Ltd ABN 96 010 528 597 AFSL 314183 is the Trustee of AustSafe Super ABN 92 396 191 503. Sunsuper Pty Ltd (Sunsuper) ABN 88 010 720 840 AFSL 228975 is the Trustee of the Sunsuper Superannuation Fund ABN 98 503 137 921.

For more information on Sunsuper, visit www.sunsuper.com.au/austsafe-super.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 27

Leading and managing employees

By Sal Trujillo, Human Resources Manager, Brisbane Markets Limited

Having the skill to lead and manage employees at all levels in a business is necessary to achieve your goals. It is therefore valuable to understand the difference between leading and managing staff members to utilise human resources effectively.

Lead from the front

Complete confidence

You must be mindful that in senior roles you need to lead by example. Some employees need a good role model that can show them the way to behave at work.

Leading is about setting a vision and focusing on what matters. A leader influences, motivates, inspires, communicates, and enables others to achieve their desired outcome.

By contrast, management involves managing and controlling employees to achieve your desired outcome.

Embrace teamwork

In uncertain situations you need to show a high level of confidence to your employees and, at the same time, remain committed to achieving the tasks at hand. Having a positive attitude and keeping negativity from affecting the team can help to maintain a productive work environment.

To be effective, I believe that employees in senior roles need to be able to apply both leadership and management qualities if long term goals are to be achieved. Factors such as the environment, different situations, challenges and personalities need to be considered when leading and managing employees.

Sell your ideas

Below are some tips which you will need to embrace in order to lead and manage your teams.

Set clear tasks

Inspire change You must be able to motivate people to change and manage the implementation process to ensure that desired results are achieved.

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You should promote an environment that has a united approach towards the achievement of goals. Equally important, you should always celebrate achievements as a way of acknowledging the team’s effort.

It is important to recognise that not everyone will accept your ideas and run with them. Accordingly, you need to be able to sell your ideas to your employees. Yet, at the same time, there is a requirement to teach such ideas in order to execute the plan.

Having a good understanding about a task before delegating is crucial to identify what the final outcome should look like. This helps in setting clear guidelines and, ultimately, employees experiencing great levels of satisfaction once the job is completed.

Understand the industry Having an understanding of the external environment, for example competition, legislative changes, and remuneration trends, can assist you in making decision about the organisation/team.

Take risks As a manager and leader, you are required to take educated risks when making decisions; therefore, you must demonstrate self-discipline to ensure tasks are accomplished and accept mistakes when they are made.

Having the ability to lead and manage people will also provide you various benefits including respect and loyalty from your team, more motivated employees, improved communication, and higher levels of creativity. Leading and managing people is an ongoing personal development, therefore every opportunity should be taken to continue to develop in this area.

How to create innovation within your business

By Angela Hird, Business Innovation Manager, Brismark

No matter what industry you are in, the most successful companies continue to evolve, refine, and innovate.

Listen to your customers Successful businesses are constantly talking with their customers. They’re knowledgeable about industry trends both locally and worldwide. In the most successful cases, these businesses can predict what a customer needs prior to their customer even knowing that they want it.

Innovation is the process of taking new ideas, assessing the timing, the risks and the benefits, and then capitalising on the wins while learning from the mistakes.

Innovation can take many forms from larger investments through to smaller incremental process improvements and change.

Build the right team

Lead with ideas

Creating innovation in your own business starts with engaging the right team.

Once you have engaged the right people, great leaders will build the right environment for ideas to flourish.

Look for people with similar values to your business. Certain skills can be taught through training and education, but altering culture and behaviour is a far more difficult task.

The first step is to check your own internal process to ensure all good ideas are assessed and actioned quickly.

Too many layers of approval can make the process seem too hard and stall creativity.

Hire people with passion and enthusiasm for the industry you work in.

People who love what they do become emotionally invested in your business.

This will translate into good decision making with the company’s best interests at heart.

Surround yourself with diversity and actively look for new skills to add to your team.

To be successful in this area, we also need to acknowledge that not all risks and ideas will pay off. How the business reviews, reacts to and learns from each idea will define how successful it is in future innovation endeavours.

And finally, be open to change and outside the box thinking. However, never lose sight of your customer, and the reason for your business’s existence.

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.

Autumn 2019 FRESH SOURCE 29

MARCH

AUGUST

2019 Australian Nut Conference

Brisbane Produce Market Forklift Operator of the Year

Sydney, NSW

Brisbane Produce Market, QLD

APRIL

SEPTEMBER

National Sustainability Conference

Asia FRUIT LOGISTICA

Brisbane, QLD

Hong Kong

MAY

19 September

25-27 March

1-2 April

28 August

4-6 September

Brisbane Produce Market Mango Auction

4 May

Brisbane Produce Market, QLD

BFVG Agriculture Charity Races

OCTOBER

Bundaberg, QLD

14-17 May

15 October

12th Annual Australian Mangoes Conference

Brismark Annual General Meeting

Darwin, NT

Brisbane, QLD

22-24 May

18-20 October

Australian Banana Industry Congress

PMA Fresh Summit

Gold Coast, QLD

California, USA

JUNE

24-26 October Australian National Field Days

7 June

Borenore, NSW

Bowen Gumlu Growers Association Gala Dinner

NOVEMBER

Bowen, QLD

18-20 June

11-13 November

Australian Persimmon Industry Conference and Field Day

TROPAG 2019

Perth, WA

Brisbane, QLD

23-26 June

13 November

Hort Connections 2019

Brisbane Markets® Annual General Meeting

Melbourne, VIC

Brisbane, QLD

JULY

DECEMBER

Lockyer Valley Growers Horticulture Expo

Brisbane Markets® Supplier Drinks

Gatton, QLD

Brisbane Produce Market, QLD

26 July

12 December

Brisbane Produce Market Gala Dinner

Brisbane Markets® Christmas BBQ

Brisbane, QLD

Brisbane Produce Market, QLD

24-25 July

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5 December

Autumn 2019

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

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