Fresh State of Affairs Bumper Christmas Issue #70

ISSUE 70 — DECEMBER 2023

ISSUE

70

December 2023

Great Cycle Challenge

with Adrian Gifford

Melbourne market

Golf Day New face in MMCS

Chathu Navaratne Pinksblush

Custard apples Our suppliers wishing you a

Merry Christmas 1

ISSUE 70 — DECEMBER 2023

Published By:

W: freshstate.com.au P: (03) 9408 6627 CEO: Jason Cooper jason@freshstate.com.au Follow us: Keep up to date by following Fresh State on Instagram and Facebook!

Editor/Advertising: marketing@freshstate.com.au Design & Print:

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

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President’s Message As we quickly head towards Christmas, I would like to take the opportunity to thank every member for their ongoing support throughout the year.

Fresh State Gala Ball, the event will take place in early March 2024. I’m very much looking forward to sharing this night with a few drinks with you.

This year has again been another year to test the resilience of the market community, with high interest rates and inflation to challenge us. The ongoing increases in costs imposed by our landlord have not gone unnoticed and have given us even more added pressure and further decreased the profitability of our businesses that operate in the market.

This issue of the Fresh State of Affairs is a Christmas bumper issue filled with Christmas greetings from the market community and some interesting articles that you will enjoy we hope you enjoy the last Fresh State of Affairs Magazine for the year, and we look forward to bringing the in the New Year with more exciting articles and topics just for you.

With the announcement from the State government about a potential change in the operating model and ownership of the Melbourne Market, we are optimistic that better times are just around the corner. I know that we will remain united in supporting each other and we will work together for the benefit of the fresh produce industry.

With that, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!

On another pleasing note, once again I’m looking forward to celebrating our industry at the next

Shane Schnitzler President Fresh State Ltd. 3

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Contents 06 – Letter from the CEO It’s been another challenging year for business with even more interest rate rises, as well as the increase in the cost of living, but there has been lots of good news to reflect on as we head into the festive season.

07 – Dracula Citrus at Louis Melbourne A fascinating brand of oranges are certainly to be a hit at the Melbourne Market……you can be sure to suck the blood out of them!

07– Welcome Chathuri Navaratne We are delighted to welcome our new member to the Melbourne Market Credit Service, Chathu.

10 – Great Cycle Challenge with Adrian Gifford The cycle that’s saving children.

13 – Puzzle: Christmas Treats 16 – Melbourne Market Golf Day Another successful Charity Golf Day has come and gone with over 100 golfers coming out and helping raise awareness and funds for DEBRA Australia.

22 – The last few months have been a Big Hit for the Fresh State Coffee Cart We look forward to even more events in 2024 to brighten the day of our Market Community one coffee at a time.

26 – Pinksblush Custard Apples Australian custard apples are a hybrid between the sugar apple and cherimoya making them juicy, creamy, sweet and fragrant, with a tropical aroma and hints of vanilla.

30 – Recipe: Pavlova Christmas tree topped with strawberries and passionfruit 31 – Important dates

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ISSUE 70 — DECEMBER 2023

Letter from the CEO It’s been another challenging year for business with even more interest rate rises, as well as the increase in the cost of living, but there has been lots of good news to reflect on as we head into the festive season.

As life gets back to normal industry events are again in full swing. It was fantastic to see the industry come together again in April for the first Fresh State Gala Ball held since 2019. The sell-out event was a great night, and plans are already well underway for the Gala Ball next year which will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall in March.

The industry got together again in June at Hort Connections in Adelade. The pandemic put a damper on the event for the last few years, so it was awesome to see it finally get back to normal. It will be held here in Melbourne next year so if you haven’t been before, it’s a great opportunity to get involved.

The news that gives me the most amount of optimism for the future was the announcement from the State government in May about the change in ownership of the Melbourne Market. While we know the progress has been slow, this was an important public announcement about their intentions to privatise the market moving forward.

We definitely have a lot to look forward to in the New Year. I hope you all enjoy a wellearned break during the festive season that is filled with good times with friends, and quality time with family.

I wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year.

Jason Cooper CEO Fresh State Ltd.

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We definitely have a lot to look forward to in the New Year. I hope you all enjoy a well-earned break during the festive season that is filled with good times with friends, and quality time with family.

ISSUE 70 — DECEMBER 2023

Dracula Citrus at Louis Melbourne

A fascinating brand of oranges are certainly to be a hit at the Melbourne Market……you can be sure to suck the blood out of them!

Louis Melbourne have partnered with Pinnacle Fresh Pty. Ltd. in supplying the wickedly healthy and delicious ‘Dracula Blood Oranges’ which is becoming a popular citrus brand in Australia. Grown under the strong rays of the sun, the staggering health benefits ooze healthy antioxidants and vitamins. Considering that their antioxidant capacity is surprisingly nine times of your regular navel orange, this unique flavour of oranges is certainly going to keep you ‘bloody’ satisfied throughout the day as an ideal snack.

You can find out more at draculacitrus.com.au.

Welcome

CHATHURI NAVARATNE

We are delighted to welcome our new member to the Melbourne Market Credit Service, Chathu. With her background in finance and customer service, it has definitely helped her to fit in easily to our team.

Chathu is also a part time swim instructor and in her spare time loves spending time outdoors with her partner, 3 boys and their dog.

On behalf of everyone at the MMCS and Fresh State Ltd, we extend our best wishes to Chathu and look forward to her future progress.

It is truly an experience being a part of MMCS, if anyone that knows “Sarah” would know exactly what I’m saying, but I am truly grateful to be part of this wonderful team.

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When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

THE CYCLE THAT’S SAVING CHILDREN

Great Cycle Challenge with

Adrian Gifford

This wise adage certainly reflects the humanitarian spirit of Adrian Gifford who has been forging a path what he initially thought was impossible. When he was confronted with a lifealtering experience that almost left him broken, Adrian instead decided to channel his emotions by devoting himself to a worthy philanthropic cause.

The lifelong Mernda resident who is a devoted husband to Jenny and an adoring father of Linda and William was employed for thirty years in the retail industry until 2020 when unfortunately, his position 10

was made redundant due to the financial strain of the COVID-19 virus. After much reflection and soul searching, Adrian believed his redundancy helped him recognise that he had to make a career change as the increasing demands of the retail industry over the years had taken a toll on his emotional wellbeing; “Even though it was disheartening at first to have my position made redundant because of COVID, it helped me gain a new perspective on my life as working in retail was making me feel stressed and at times stagnant. I wanted a job where I could fulfill responsibilities that weren’t too challenging

but could also give me stability.”

Within a month of knocking on doors with the intention of gaining employment in manual labour, Adrian stumbled across the wholesale vegetable growers, Gazzola Farms who by chance were looking to hire a new packer and forklift driver based at the Melbourne Market in Epping. Adrian jumped at the opportunity and has found it to be a dream job; “It suits my personality and lifestyle. There’s terrific camaraderie between myself and my colleagues at Gazzola. I don’t mind the working hours (midnight to 7am) because it gives me the chance to spend the rest of the day with my family.”

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Starting Small Rather than allowing the circumstances to determine Adrian’s life, he believed that he could make a positive difference through his hobby of cycling and joined the Great Cycle Challenge Australia, a National fundraising event held annually throughout the month of October to raise awareness about the devastating impacts of cancer; “The timing was perfect because I started to cycle when Victoria was in lockdown in 2020 to improve my health as I’d only cycled casually before COVID. It would also help me kick my smoking addiction; I’d been a heavy smoker since I was a teenager.

I started cycling 10-15km each day and when I felt confident, I would increase the distance that was manageable for me.

Now I can cycle 100km in a day.”

The Turning Point Three years earlier, Adrian’s life had taken a dramatic turn when his mother Sue was suddenly diagnosed with breast cancer. The devastating news filled Adrian with grief and he was consumed with the agonizing thought of losing his beloved mother; “When I found

out that Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer, I just froze with fear. For a moment, it felt as though the world had stopped moving.

I was filled with conflicting emotions and kept asking myself, ‘Will Mum be, okay? Will she survive? How will our family adjust to life without her?”

Since the charity was established in 2013, the Great Cycle Challenge has astonishingly become one of the most popular cycling events in Australia in which participants of all age groups and abilities can set their own cycling goals and donate funds raised to the Children’s Medical Research Institute with the aim of helping cure children who are battling leukemia.

The timing was perfect because I started to cycle when Victoria was in lockdown in 2020 to improve my health as I’d only cycled casually before COVID. It would also help me kick my smoking addiction; I’d been a heavy smoker since I was a teenager. I started cycling 10-15km each day and when I felt confident, I would increase the distance that was manageable for me. Now I can cycle 100km in a day.

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When Adrian joined the Great Cycle Challenge in 2020, he didn’t set high expectations for himself in how much distance he could cycle which has been a key factor in his progress over the past four years; “The furthest I could

cycle at that point was 100km however, I cycled 500km during the challenge in 2021 which absolutely surprised me. I continued training then re-joined the challenge in 2022 with the goal of cycling 1,000km and my new target

for this year is to cycle 1,500km as well as raise $3,000.00. The experience has taught me to push beyond my limits I never thought I was capable of……… what I initially believed was impossible is now a way of life for me.”

...my new target for this year is to cycle 1,500km as well as raise $3,000.00. The experience has taught me to push beyond my limits I never thought I was capable of...

The Ultimate Reward Adrian’s unrelenting tenacity and commitment to the Great Cycle Challenge has earnt him sheer admiration and respect by his inner circle of family, friends and in particular, his colleagues at Gazzola Farms who have lent their endearing support to Adrian by donating a total of $6,000 over the past three years; “My colleagues at Gazzola have been amazing by not only donating to the charity but also placing posters and t-shirts around the market to promote the cause. The more people who are involved the better, it’s very heartening.”

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A strong motivating force in Adrian’s resilience and definite purpose in remaining passionately committed to the charity has been the experience of his mother’s breast cancer diagnosis and wanting to prevent children suffering from cancer so they can live a long and fulfilling life; “Cancer is the largest single killer of children in Australia. Over 600 children are diagnosed with cancer every year and sadly, three die every week. They should be living life, not fighting for it.”

Apart from his loving family, no one is prouder of Adrian’s commendable

accomplishments than his mother Sue who after four years of much needed treatment, was delivered the news that gave her and the family such joy……. her cancer was in remission; “We are incredibly grateful that Mum’s cancer has been in remission since 2021. We always express our affection for Mum by telling her how much we love and appreciate her. Every day is truly a blessing that she is with us.”

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PUZZLES

word list

Christmas Treats

TURKEY

GINGERBREAD

WATERMELON

MANGOS

STRAWBERRIES

EGGNOG

HAM

CHOCOLATE

COOKIES

MARSHMALLOW

PAVLOVA

CANDYCANES

FRUITCAKE

SUGERPLUMS 13

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Melbourne arket Golf Day M another

Tee-riffic

Proudly Supporting

event

Another successful Charity Golf Day has come and gone with over 100 golfers coming out and helping raise awareness and funds for DEBRA Australia.

DEBRA Australia is a non-government funded foundation which helps support and treat people and their families who have a rare disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB for short). This disease is like living with third degree sunburn which blisters forming at the slightest touch.

With 22 teams braving the chilly Melbourne weather, this year’s golf day was a roaring success. Held on the 13th October at the Heidelberg Golf Club, the day commenced with the registrations at 7:30am with all teams collecting their goodie bags and team polo shirts.

Children and adults with this condition must have their wounds dressed, medicated, and bandaged every day to avoid infections.

All teams were then given a small token to place into one of the specially marked boxes to win a chance to play with one of our celebrity players. Essendon Football Club legends Jason Johnson and Joe Misiti. The lucky teams to win were DEBRA Australia and Brolec.

The Melbourne Market Golf Day is a fun and entertaining way to help make a difference and raise much needed funds for this terrible condition. Making this day an important event in the Foundation’s calendar.

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The teams were welcomed by the Golf Committee’s Chairman Joe Amalfi, then the event was underway.

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The support of DEBRA has been irreplaceable in the journey to parenthood with Elena, and without their constant input our lives would have looked so different. Thank you all for being here and helping families like mine It was good to see some healthy competitive spirit and friendly banter during the putting and nearest to the pin competitions. This year’s hole-in-one prizes up for grabs were a Toyota forklift donated by Toyota Material Handling, a car donated by Zagame and $50,000 donated by the Melbourne Market Golf Committee. While no one managed to take away a hole-in-one prize the spirit of the day was not lost.

As the golf part of the day drew to a close, the attendees made there way inside to our MC for the afternoon, former AFL coach and player Kevin Sheedy and enjoyed a beautifully prepared buffet lunch with fresh produce supplied by the Melbourne Market.

Simone Baird, The National Family Support Coordinator from DEBRA Australia was then invited up to introduce Sandra Aloisio who herself and three-year-old daughter both suffer from the rare condition.

Sandra spoke about the anxiety of EB and the unknown when they started a family.

“When we found out I had passed the dominant EB gene to our baby, I spent hours crying to my husband Michael. Anxious about if she would suffer and would she be missing her skin if any at all.”

This is the reality for all parents of EB children, with their daily bleach baths, pain management and dressing routines mixed in with the normal chaotic life of having children.

“The support of DEBRA has been irreplaceable in the journey to parenthood with Elena, and

without their constant input our lives would have looked so different. Thank you all for being here and helping families like mine”.

We thank Simone and Sandra’s family for attending this event and sharing her story and reminding us how important this event is to the lives of so many.

It was then time for the presentation of the winners of the golf competitions and raffle.

Overall winning team: Brolec - Ross Cousipetcos - Mark Smith Aaron Cheung - Josh O’Connor Nearest to the pin: Provincia Food Store - Glen Mew Putting Comp: Provincia Food Store - Glen Mew Events like this take hard work and dedication.

The Melbourne Market Golf Committee attended many meetings and spent hours to ensure the success of the day, so that attendees can enjoy a game of golf, but most importantly, raise much needed funds for such a deserving Foundation.

This event would also not be possible without the amazing people who volunteered on the day. Thank you to the volunteers from DEBRA Australia, Fresh State, Toyota Material Handling, Melbourne Market Authority and Art & Style.

If you would like to learn more about DEBRA Australia and what they do for these special people, please visit www.debra.org.au 17

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The last few months have been a big hit for the Fresh State Coffee Cart.

Cancer Council Daffodil day We held a donation drive on August 30th out the front of Ferrinda Fresh for the Cancer Council Daffodil day. Decorated in the iconic yellow daffodils, we handed out coffees with the help of the charismatic Tony Ferrinda we were able to raise $900.00. Thank you to everyone that donated to a great cause.

AFL Grand Final We celebrated the upcoming AFL grand final on September 27th. Coinciding with the kids in the market, we were able to keep our Market Community caffeinated while the children were treated to facepainting and footy themed cupcakes.

Halloween Halloween Eve was a faBOO-lous hit with our big red cart decorated in all things creepy. From spiders, skeletons and even some trick or treat goodies, we were able to get the market into the spooky spirit.

We look forward to even more events in 2024 to brighten the day of our Market Community one coffee at a time.

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PinksBlush Custard Apples Custard apples, are believed to be a native of the West Indies but it was carried in early times through Central America and southern Mexico, belonging to the Annonaceae family of plants.

The fruit from this subtropical plant can grow as large as 3kg with pale green, knobbly skin. They are commonly grown in China, Philippines, Egypt and Central Africa.

However, the Australian custard apple is unique to any other fruit grown around the world. Australian custard apples are a hybrid between the sugar apple and cherimoya making them juicy, creamy, sweet and fragrant, with a tropical aroma and hints of vanilla. With the most common varieties being Pinks Mammoth, African Pride, Maroochy Gold, KJ Pinks, and Tropic Sun. However, tucked away in the Glass House Mountains on Yanalla Farms, a new unique variety of this sweet fruit was

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naturally developed some 26 years ago called PinksBlush.

Originally formed on a Pinks Mammoth tree, the main difference is the unique skin colour which develops from green to glowing pinkish orange making the fruit look as if it is blushing.

PinksBlush is the only Australian custard apple to be in season from September through to December, including the Christmas period. Seeing as these fruits are best eaten raw or in a dessert, we can wonder if they might become a new addition to the Christmas table.

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Pavlova Christmas tree topped with strawberries and passionfruit Prep: 20 Minutes Cook: 60 Minutes Serves 6 If you normally opt for a classic circular shaped pav, how about giving the Christmas centrepiece a merry, tree-shaped makeover.

Piling your pavlova high with strawberries and passionfruit pulp is a given, but you can make it even more jolly with easy white-chocstars.

Ingredients: 1 cup white chocolate melts, melted 5 free-range egg whites, at room temperature ¼ tsp cream of tartar 1¼ cups caster sugar 2 tsp vanilla extract 2 tsp white vinegar 2 Tbsp cornflour 600ml thickened cream, whipped to soft peaks Sliced strawberries, passionfruit pulp and icing sugar, to decorate

Method: 1.

Preheat oven to 120°C fan-forced (140°C conventional). Draw a tree outline on paper, then photocopy to enlarge tree to 35cm high and 25cm at widest part of base. Copy image onto baking paper and lay on an oven tray, image-side down.

2. Transfer melted chocolate to a small snap lock bag with one corner snipped. To make decorative stars, pipe crosses onto a piece of baking paper, then add horizontal and vertical lines through the middle. Leave stars to set completely.

3. Put egg whites and cream of tartar in the large bowl of an electric mixer. Beat, using whisk attachment, until soft peaks form 4. With motor running, add sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, beating well after each addition, until well combined and meringue is thick and glossy. Add vanilla, vinegar and cornflour.

Beat until just combined.

5. Transfer mixture to a large piping bag with a large plain nozzle. Pipe a meringue tree onto prepared baking paper from Step 1. With an offset spatula, smooth the tree surface. Pipe another 2-3 outlines on tree, creating a cavity in the middle.

Bake for 1 hour, or until meringue is crisp. Turn oven off and leave meringue to completely cool for 2 hours with door ajar.

6. Spoon cream into meringue. Top with strawberry, pulp and choc stars. Dust with icing sugar. Serve.

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

Christmas Eve Sunday, 24th December

Christmas Day Monday, 25th December

Boxing Day Tuesday, 26th December

Market closed

Market closed

Market closed

New Years Eve Sunday, 31st December

New Years Day Monday, 1st January

Australia Day Friday, 26th January

Market closed

Market closed

Market closed

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 31

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