Fresh State of Affairs – Issue #61

61 FEBRUARY 2022 Issue

of affairs

Labour shortages disrupt the food industry supply chain

The Melbourne Wholesale Market partners with FareShare

Shift work and sleep deprivation

The food trend that is easy to digest

ISSUE 61 — FEBRUARY 2022

Contents 04

04 – Australian food industry hit by Covid19 labour shortages The dramatic reduction in workers has significantly disrupted the food supply chain. But it isn’t a food shortage issue, it’s a distribution issue.

06 – The Melbourne Wholesale Market partners with FareShare FareShare and the Melbourne wholesale Market combine forces to feed Australians doing it tough.

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08 – The food trend that is easy to digest

14 – Shift work and sleep deprivation

Fermented foods are becoming increasingly popular, and by having such important health benefits, it’s easy to understand why.

Research has identified shift workers as having a much higher risk of experiencing sleep deprivation and related consequences.

10 – Official launch of 40-year service celebration wall

16 – Fresh State 2021 Annual General Meeting

The Melbourne Market has officially launched the 40-year celebration wall, recognising this significant milestone in marketeer’s careers and their contribution to the market.

12 – Melbourne Market Crossword How well do you know the Melbourne market and the fresh produce industry?

Published By:

CEO: Jason Cooper jason@freshstate.com.au Editor/Advertising: Daisy Divak daisy@freshstate.com.au

W: freshstate.com.au P: (03) 9408 6627 2

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Photography: Daisy Divak

The Fresh State 2021 AGM was held on the 8th of December and involved a discussion of important matters including privatisation and the Fresh State & FareShare partnership.

18 – Orange capsicums are on the menu for healthy eyes Orange capsicums have been found to be one of the best natural sources in preventing macular degeneration.

Design & Print:

Distribution: Fresh State of Affairs is produced by Fresh State Ltd. and is a free publication.

ISSUE 61 — FEBRUARY 2022

President’s Message

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20 – Fair Work rules farm workers be paid the minimum hourly rate The Fair Work Commission has ruled that those workers who are paid a piece rate must now, at least, be paid the minimal hourly rate.

21 – 2022 Melbourne Market Annual Charity Golf Day 22 – No-Bake Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes

Welcome to 2022, a year for resumed travelling, events, and reconnecting with loved ones. This will be the seventh year that the market has been located in Epping where it continues to play a crucial role within the food industry.

I’d like to thank the market community for their continued compliance with safety measures considering the recent surge in Covid19 cases. These measures ensure we can all continue to work in a safe environment. Many Victorians have contracted the virus, and this has been a great challenge for the industry with widespread staff shortages putting pressure on businesses operations and the food supply chain. However, as always, the industry has responded to these challenges and made adjustments where necessary to ensure food continues to make its way to people’s tables.

This issue of Fresh State of Affairs includes interesting articles that cover the partnership between Fresh State and FareShare, a summary of the Fresh State AGM, and a look into the effects of sleep deprivation. If you think you know the Melbourne Market and the fresh produce industry back to front, you can test your knowledge by completing the crossword on page 12.

We hope you enjoy the first Fresh State of Affairs Magazine for the year. We look forward to 2022 and are excited to continue delivering interesting articles and topics for you to read.

Shane Schnitzler President Fresh State Ltd.

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ISSUE 61 — FEBRUARY 2022

Australian food industry hit by Covid19 labour shortages The year 2022 has begun with a surge in Covid19 cases nationwide following the opening of state borders in the lead-up to Christmas and New Year’s.

Opening borders coincided with the emergence of the new fast-moving Omicron variant of the coronavirus and as people socialised and gathered throughout the festive season, the new Omicron strain prospered.

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Many Victorians have either contracted the virus or come into close contact with an infected person, requiring them to isolate for 7 days. This has resulted in widespread staff shortages which have put pressure on the food supply chain. A lack of rapid antigen tests and long queues at public testing centers has made it difficult for symptomatic workers to get tested, which has added an extra delay and further compounded the issue.

The fresh produce industry deals with perishable products that require an effective, fast-moving supply chain to ensure produce is processed in a time-sensitive manner. Since all stages in the supply chain are strongly connected, any disruption can create a domino effect and impact output. The dramatic reduction in workers has significantly disrupted the supply chain, meaning produce is not being moved as quickly as it should and is therefore having a flow-on effect down the chain.

Lack of staff has meant growers are facing rotting produce as goods aren’t making it to the market and there are distribution issues due to transport and distribution sectors being particularly affected by labour absences.

“In our farming operations we’ve got four farms. Our Warragal farm employs 400 people, and in the last few days we’ve had 130 people away with Covid and at our Mansfield farm we’ve had 42 away. We’re looking at taking measures at reducing some of the things that we do like reducing pre-packed lines and just selling more bulk lines as well as reducing crop sizes because we just physically don’t have enough people to do the work.”

Grant Nichol Chief Wholesale Trading Officer at Flavorite

Grant Nichol, Chief Wholesale Trading Officer at Flavorite, commented on the disruptions to the business “In our farming operations we’ve got four farms.

Our Warragal farm employs 4oo people, and in the last few days we’ve had 130 people away with Covid and at our Mansfield farm we’ve had 42 away. We’re looking at taking measures at reducing some of the things that we do like reducing pre-packed lines and just selling more bulk lines as well as reducing crop sizes because we just physically don’t have enough people to do the work.”

The labour shortage has also resulted in staff working longer hours and being redeployed to assist in other areas of business, adding extra pressure to an already tense environment. This situation comes off the back of labour shortages rocking the agriculture industry in the last few years when travel restrictions imposed due to Covid19 shut out international labourers, who constitute a large section of the agriculture workforce in Australia.

To assist the food supply sector, the Victorian, NSW and Queensland governments announced isolation exemption measures for asymptomatic workers who are close contacts to be able to attend work if their employers deem them critical to the supply chain.

Healthy humans drive the economy, and the global pandemic has proved this. The recent surge in Covid19 cases and subsequent labour shortages has reminded us that people are the driving force behind production, distribution, and supply.

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The Melbourne Wholesale Market partners with FareShare The financial impacts of the Covid19 pandemic have seen an increase in food insecurity here in Australia, with estimates suggesting that three in ten Australians who are now experiencing food insecurity had not gone hungry before the pandemic. Further to this, 61% of food insecure Australians have accessed food relief since the beginning of the pandemic.

In view of these alarming statistics, Fresh State are pleased to announce our partnership with the Australian not-for-profit food rescue organisation — FareShare.

FareShare strives for a community where no food is wasted, and no one goes hungry. To achieve this vision, FareShare rescues food that may otherwise go to waste and cooks it into free, nutritious meals for those experiencing hardship. The organisation runs Australia’s largest charity kitchens where they cook more than three million meals a year for vulnerable Australians. By transforming surplus food into delicious, ready-to-eat meals, FareShare reduces the amount of food going to landfill and provides immediate relief to people in need.

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The partnership, which was announced in December 2021, will help recognise the generous amounts of produce donated to food charities by the wholesalers within the Melbourne market. Jason Cooper, Fresh State CEO has said "the partnership is expected to result in a re-distribution of donated produce, not incremental donations. The wholesalers already donate a generous amount. We want to see donations evenly distributed to charities within the market to ensure the organisations’ can realise their vision".

The collaboration will allow for more consistency in the supply of fresh produce to FareShare which is needed to expand the facility and ensure continual distribution of meals. By donating surplus or imperfect food the generous wholesalers at the Melbourne Market are directly helping feed those doing it tough, as well as making an environmental impact through waste reduction.

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“Fresh vegetables are absolutely critical to boosting the health and wellbeing of people doing it tough.

FareShare chefs always need a variety of produce to add nutrition to our free, cooked meals for people in crisis."

Marcus Godinho, FareShare CEO says “Fresh vegetables are absolutely critical to boosting the health and wellbeing of people doing it tough. FareShare chefs always need a variety of produce to add nutrition to our free, cooked meals for people in crisis. We are excited to be working with Fresh State to put any surplus vegetables to the best possible use. Every donated vegetable can have a positive impact on someone’s life.”

Fresh State want to thank the generous wholesalers already donating produce to FareShare as well as encourage others to donate their end-of-life produce to help support the work of this great organisation, at a time when Australians need it most.

Marcus Godhino FareShare CEO

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The food trend that is easy to digest As consumers shift their preferences towards immunity-boosting and health-promoting foods, fermented foods and beverages are becoming increasingly popular and sought after. Kombucha and Kimchi are appearing more frequently on menus and more of us are attempting to make our own fermented products.

But what is fermentation?

Put simply, fermentation is a naturally occurring process through which microorganisms like yeast and bacteria convert carbs, such as starch and sugar, into alcohol or acids.

The fermentation process dates back to the Stone Age, where it was originally used as a preservation method, and nearly every civilisation since has included at least one fermented food in its culinary heritage. From Korean kimchi and Indian chutneys to the universal sauerkraut, yogurt and cheese, cultures have celebrated fermented foods and crafted unique flavours around fermentation.

In more recent years fermentation has sparked interest in health experts due to its ability to produce probiotics — the live microorganisms or ‘friendly bacteria’ that provide health benefits when consumed.

There has been extensive research into examining the link between consuming probiotics and a strengthened gut biome, which leads to improved gut health.

The next time you are at your local retailer, add a fermented product to your basket, like sauerkraut or kimchi. Your guts will love you for it!

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Fresh State tip: To ensure the fermented foods you choose do contain probiotics, look for the words “naturally fermented” on the label.

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SIP SIP HOORAY!

The Fresh State Coffee Cart is up and running Coffee lovers, rejoice! The Fresh State coffee cart is set up and ready to serve hot coffee to the Melbourne market community.

You will see the coffee cart out on the market floor on a monthly basis, and we have an opportunity for wholesalers and other market businesses to sponsor the coffee cart and have your logo featured for everyone to see! Your logo will be placed around the Fresh State logo as shown below, on either one or both sides of the coffee cart.

The coffee cart will be available for Fresh State members to use at market events, including fundraisers, BBQ’s, and other celebrations. Fresh State will provide all the supplies needed to use the cart.

Contact daisy@freshstate.com.au for more information on this opportunity.

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Official launch of 40-year service celebration wall On Wednesday the 16th of December 2021 the Melbourne Market Authority officially launched the 40-Year Celebration Wall.

Group of inductees receiving their 40-year service certificate 10

Image source: Melbourne Market Authority

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The wall showcases the names of those who have reached their 40-year anniversary working within the Melbourne market and recognises this significant milestone in their careers as well as their contribution to the market.

Inductees were presented with a gold access card and a framed 40-year service certificate for their achievement.

The audience was fortunate to hear from Luis Gazzola, of Gazzola farms, who has worked at the market for 64 years. Luis delivered a speech reflecting on the significance of the market community during his career. He offered the following advice “We are all in the perishable food business which always throws up many challenges, but I have always found that perseverance makes perfect. The market hours and lifestyles can also be a challenge and it is a lifestyle that does not suit everybody. If you enjoy it, you stick to it. So, my advice to all market users is, make the best of it and the most of it and enjoy it... We are a very important clog in the food industry wheel.”

"The market hours and lifestyles can also be a challenge and it is a lifestyle that does not suit everybody. If you enjoy it, you stick to it… So, my advice to all market users is, make the best of it and the most of it and enjoy it...

We are a very important cog in the food industry wheel.”

Tony Siciliano (on the right) from VFS Produce holding his 40-year service certificate

Another recipient of the award, Tony Nigro, who has been working in the industry for 50 years and for Fresh State for 38 years, was unable to attend the ceremony so Jason Cooper, Fresh State CEO, visited him to hand deliver the certificate.

Congratulations to all who have accomplished this milestone and thank you for your contribution to the Melbourne Market community. The next time you see a market user with a gold access card be aware of their ongoing contribution to the Melbourne Market.

Luis Gazzola Gazzola Farms

Fresh State CEO, Jason Cooper (left) and Tony Nigro (right)

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Melbourne Market Crossword ACROSS 5. Key ingredient in guacamole 7. A powered industrial truck used to

move materials

8. This colour is found on the Fresh

State logo

10. Summer month 13. Shopping at your local greengrocer is …

16. An event that Fresh State sponsor 17. The art of cultivating plants in gardens

to produce food and medicinal ingredients

18. Christmas fruit 19. Magazine: Fresh State of …

DOWN 1. Café located within

the market

2. Fruit with a hot pink skin 3. Product perceived to have

exceptional value

4. The number of years that

Luis Gazzola has worked in the market

6. An exotic fruit that has a

pungent smell

9. An edible fungus

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10. Food charity located within

the market that collects food donations and cook into nutritious meals for Australians facing hardship

11. Traditional heavy-duty aprons are made

using this material

12. Previous location of the

Melbourne market

14. A service provided by Fresh State 15. Mango variety

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Shift work and sleep deprivation Regular sleep is as important to the human body as food and water as it controls our circadian rhythm, which is the inbuilt 24hour biological clock in our brain that helps us stay awake and alert as well as help us wind down and fall asleep.

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Importance of regular sleep Regular sleep patterns help regulate the circadian rhythm and when a sleep schedule is switched too frequently, the body often fails to adapt to the changed pattern and long-term deviation from this natural cycle can very easily lead to different types of sleep disorders.

Health professionals recommend that adults get 7-8 hours of sleep per day to ensure they maintain a healthy lifestyle, but Australians don’t seem to be reaching this goal. A recent report released by the Sleep Health Foundation, has estimated that around 1 in 10 Australians have a sleep disorder. The study investigated the contributing factors behind these concerning statistics and found that shift workers are at a much higher risk of experiencing sleep deprivation and related consequences. The foundation found that on average, shift workers sleep one hour a day less than those who do not perform shift work.

Those who work within the Melbourne market in Epping are all too familiar with shift work, as their sleep routines are structured around the early morning trade that begins as early as 1 am and ends around 7 am. Due to these hours of trade many market users sleep through the day, which comes with its own challenges, with outside noises and other hindrances making it difficult to get the recommended 7-8 hours of unbroken sleep.

Sufficient research shows that shift work and irregular or long working hours can adversely affect the health, safety, and wellbeing of workers. In 2007 a report commissioned by the World Health Organization deemed shift work a carcinogen due to its repeated interruption of the body's circadian rhythm.

Looking to the future Working through the night has been the way of life for thousands of workers in the fresh produce industry for many years, and it continues to be.

The industry has been built on the expectation that produce will arrive at its destination as fresh as possible, and this standard should be maintained.

However, it may be time to look at other industry trends and experiences and assess the technological solutions available that may provide other options surrounding trading hours.

The benefits of a full night’s sleep for not only our health, but lifestyle and personal relationships are evident. Change may be necessary to attract the next generation to the market to sustain such an important facility within the food industry.

Impacts The physical impacts of sleep loss and sleep disorders include cognitive impairment, memory loss, poor immune system function, increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, and weight gain. A sleepy fatigued person is more prone to accidents is judgement impaired and more likely to make mistakes, and therefore more susceptible to work injuries.

These are the tangible effects of lack of sleep, but there are also intangible effects that are just as detrimental to an individual’s health. These include the impacts on wellbeing, mood, and quality of life.

Fresh State Tip: If you find napping helps relieve drowsiness, then it is recommended by health professionals to nap for 10-20 minutes. Avoid napping longer than this.

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Fresh State 2021 Annual General Meeting The Fresh State AGM provides us with an opportunity to interact with our members and seek members views on important matters as well as answer any questions or concerns. It also provides Fresh State with an opportunity to provide members with a broad overview of the organisation’s current directions and future strategy.

The Fresh State 2021 AGM was held on the 8th of December at the Catering Buffet Co. The meeting was kicked off with a buffet style breakfast and refreshments for all members, before getting down to business.

Fresh State's CEO, Jason Cooper, opened the meeting and provided members with a run-down of Fresh State’s operations and general business and provided an overview of Fresh State’s financial position from the previous year. Then Fresh State President, Shane Schnitzler, talked about relevant updates throughout the year and the state of the industry as well as reviewing the FMA’s support for the industry.

One of the key matters covered was that of market privatisation with a discussion around the benefits of privatising the market, an update on the progress as well as the next steps that need to be taken.

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The partnership between Fresh State and FareShare was announced, and the objectives of the collaboration were discussed. We heard from Marcus Godinho, CEO for FareShare, who shared a presentation which outlined the mission of FareShare and why this partnership is important in helping realise the mission.

We heard from James Patrick, National Program Manager for A Better Choice, who provided an update on the national retail program as well as a discussion around the strategic direction for the program.

On behalf of Fresh State, we would like to thank all members who attended the 2021 AGM, your input helps us build a stronger organisation and ensures the continued representation of our members.

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FreshTest — 20 years and going strong FreshTest is a service that was developed by the wholesaling sector in response to an increased demand for food safety programs. The service was also developed to reduce costs and co-ordinate the thousands of tests being conducted annually by the wholesalers for verification of their own food safety systems.

The co-ordination and bulk testing of produce has resulted in savings and these savings have been passed onto industry participants, making FreshTest affordable for compliance to any food safety program.

Since its introduction in 2002, FreshTest has grown to be the largest and most comprehensive horticultural residue testing program ever undertaken in Australia and continues to grow as more and more industry participants make use of the service.

Find out how you can save money and quickly, easily and conveniently have your produce tested by calling the Fresh State office on (03) 9408 6627 or email: freshtest@freshstate.com.au.

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Orange capsicums are on the menu for healthy eyes Not only do orange capsicums add a splash of colour to our dishes, but they also play an important role in protecting our vision and long-term eye health.

Research by the University of Queensland (UQ) has identified orange capsicums as the richest source of the orange pigment zeaxanthin, which is found in the centre of the eye and plays an important role in protecting the eye-cells from certain harmful light sources, such as blue light.

Phil Stilo of Mildura Fresh Marketing is one of the few wholesalers within the Melbourne wholesale market to sell the orange variety. Stilo said ‘We don’t sell much of them because of the higher price, there’s just not as much demand. They’re more boutique compared to the other varieties."

Zeaxanthin deficiency makes individuals more susceptible to macular degeneration, a lasting eye disease that causes vision loss. In Australia macular degeneration affects one in seven people over 50 years of age and one in three over 80. Our bodies do not produce zeaxanthin, so it is important that we eat foods that contain the pigment to protect our eyes.

UQ have created a program called Naturally Nutritious, which is funded by Hort Innovation and aims to address the lack of orange capsicum supply.

The ultimate goal of the program and research is to make it viable and profitable for growers to produce more orange capsicums, and to educate consumers about their unique eye health benefits, in order to create demand.

Zeaxanthin can be purchased as a supplement, but the real deal is better. A comparative analysis found that one orange capsicum contains zeaxanthin levels equivalent to 30 supplement tablets. So, if you want to increase your zeaxanthin levels, your best bet is to add some orange capsicums to your shopping cart.

Despite their impressive health benefits, a lack in consumer demand has meant few farmers grow orange capsicums and so they aren’t as easy to find compared to the red, green and yellow varieties.

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Not only are orange capsicums important for our vision, but they also have a great shelf life and store well. And as far as flavour goes, the orange variety have a very tasty, sweet flavour.

Look out for orange capsicums the next time you’re at your local greengrocer, and if you spot one make sure to test it out. Your eyes will be better off for it!

ISSUE 61 — FEBRUARY 2022

Jordan Italiano, Fred Pascale and Phil Stilo of Mildura Fresh Marketing

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Fair Work rules farm workers be paid the minimum hourly rate Harvest farmers in Australia have traditionally been paid in line with the piece rate system, a system where a worker is paid according to the volume of produce they harvest — the more fruit or vegetables harvested the more a worker is paid. But in some cases, the piece rate system for payment has led to exploitation whereby some employers have found loopholes in the system and used these to exploit and undercut their workers.

In December 2020 the Australian Workers Union (AWU) made a case to the Fair Work Commission (FWC) to amend the horticulture award to ensure farm workers receive the minimum casual wage of $25.41 an hour. The AWU presented findings to the FWC to support their case, including research findings suggesting the average piecework picker was paid just $11.69 an hour.

The AWU were successful in their case and in November 2021 the FWC ruled that those workers who are paid a piece rate must now, at least, be paid the minimal hourly rate. The FWC provided the following statement "These characteristics render the seasonal harvesting workforce vulnerable to 20

exploitation. The existing pieceworker provisions in the Horticulture Award are not fit for purpose, they do not provide a fair and relevant minimum safety net as required by the Act." However, not all are happy with the change. In an interview with the ABC, Tony Mahar from the National Farmers Federation said “We’re disappointed with the outcome. This means increased costs for farmers and reduced flexibility. And increased pressure on supermarket prices at the end of the day.”

The ruling has been proclaimed by those in the industry as one of the most significant industrial decisions of modern times.

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2022 Melbourne Market Annual Charity Golf Day The 2022 Melbourne Market Annual Charity Golf Day is nearly upon us, and this is one event you don’t want to miss!

Every year several organisations at the Melbourne Market hold a Charity Golf Day to raise money for DEBRA Australia. The day consists of a Golf Competition, late lunch, entertainment and much more. DEBRA Australia is a foundation that helps those affected by a painful and lifechanging disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB).

Fresh State, The Melbourne Market Authority, The Melbourne Market Lions Club, and Toyota Material Handling, are few of many who put this day together.

The event will be on Friday the 18th of March and will once again be held at the Heidelberg Golf Club.

Whether you are a passionate golfer, enjoy a day of good food, people, and laughs, or are just interested in supporting a well-deserving cause, there is something for everyone at the Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day, so make sure to register your team today by scanning the QR code above!

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Ingredients ¡ 400g digestive biscuits ¡ 6 tbsp butter, melted ¡ 225g cream cheese, at room temperature ¡ ½ cup icing sugar ¡ 2 cups freshly whipped cream ¡ 1 cup fresh strawberries, finely chopped + extra to serve

No-Bake Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes Adorable AND delicious? Yep, that’s our No-Bake Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes! They’re a creamy, refreshing and simple treat for sweet tooths!

Method

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1.

Place digestive biscuits in a food processor and process for 1 min or until they resemble fine breadcrumbs.

2.

In a medium bowl, combine the biscuit crumbs and melted butter until well combined.

3.

Evenly press mixture into the bottom of your mini cheesecake pans (recipe makes around 12 mini cheesecakes depending on pan size).

4.

In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and icing sugar.

5.

Next, add the whipped cream and sliced strawberries to the cream cheese mixture and mix until combined.

6.

Spoon the cream cheese filling onto the prepared bases. Gently smooth the cheesecake tops with a spatula and refrigerate until firm (around 4 hours).

7.

Serve topped with more fresh strawberries and whipped cream if desired. Enjoy!

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Calendar of Events Labour Day Monday, 14th March

Melbourne Market Charity Golf Day Fresh State Special General Meeting

Friday, 18th March

April TBC

Good Friday Friday, 15th April

Easter Sunday Sunday, 17th April

Easter Monday Monday, 18th April

ANZAC Day Monday, 25th April

New event dates and times will be communicated in the near future. Thank you to all who have supported our events over the past years. We hope you are staying healthy and safe, if you have any questions about events, please email daisy@freshstate.com.au.

Disclaimer Fresh State Ltd makes this magazine available on the understanding the users exercise their own skill and care with respect to its use. Before relying on, or altering any business practices, users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, completeness and relevance of the information for their purpose and should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances. This magazine contains views and recommendations that do not necessarily reflect the views of Fresh State Ltd. Fresh State does not in any circumstances accept responsibility for the accuracy or suitability or otherwise of any information published in Fresh State of Affairs. Fresh State Ltd specifically disclaims all and any liability for loss or damage of any nature whatsoever and however arising, whether due to accuracy, error or omission or any other cause.

In addition, by using the information in this magazine, each user waives and releases Fresh State, its staff and agents from any and all claims relating to the use of this document. In no event shall Fresh State Ltd be liable for any consequential damages resulting from using the information in Fresh State of Affairs. © Fresh State Ltd 2022 This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process without prior permission from Fresh State Ltd. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to: The Editor Fresh State of Affairs Magazine Store 36, Melbourne Market 35 Produce Drive, Epping, VIC 3076

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