Letter from the CEO

Letter from the CEO

What a beginning to 2020. We’ve seen drought, bushfires, flooding, and now a global pandemic. Our thoughts are still with those struggling with the aftermath of the bushfires and know the burden of this virus will be a terrible strain on rebuilding again. Thank you to the Market community for coming together earlier this year and showing your support for those affected. Donations collected for the Victoria Bushfire Appeal were highly appreciated, and I’m sure it helped a lot of impacted Australian’s.

As we all now know, Coronavirus (COVID-19) has become a severe threat to our nation, economy, and daily lives. Currently, at the Melbourne Market, we have moved to ensure operational changes have been put in place to protect the health and safety of market users. Social distancing rules, market visitor rules, and temperature testing, amongst other things, have all been enforced to make sure the market community is safe from COVID-19. The Melbourne Market is an essential service and will continue to remain open to support Victoria’s food chain supply. These precautionary measures are put in place so that the market can keep supplying fresh fruit and vegetables daily.

Though it may seem bleak and unknown at the moment, we must not forget the resilience of the market community. In times like these, we all come together as one, showing love and support when it’s needed most. Typical day to day business has been altered, and I have seen many of you adapt to ensure the safety of your staff and fellow market users is at the forefront of your thinking. The community here at the market never fails to show its generosity and compassion when difficult times are present.

Resources and support will continue to become available to our members and the market community. I understand it’s a challenging time for business owners and staff, so we want to make sure you’re up to date with the stimulus packages becoming available from the Australian government. We are also working closely with the Melbourne Market Authority, to regularly update you when new rules and measures need to be put in place. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or the Fresh State office for any assistance. This may be an unfamiliar time and environment, but we are all in this together and will continue to push on to support our local greengrocers, local supermarkets and providores, and continue to deliver quality produce to all Victorians.

Kind regards,

Jason Cooper

CEO Fresh State Ltd.