60 DECEMBER 2021 Issue
of affairs
Avo-lanche - How Much of a Good Thing is Too Much?
Changes in Food Consumption During the Covid-19 Pandemic
‘A Better Choice!’ Youth Sports Initiative
ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Contents 06
04 – Merry Christmas from Fresh State 05 – Letter from the CEO Letter from Jason Cooper, Fresh State CEO.
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06 – Avo-lanche – How much of a good thing is too much?
10 – Changes in Food Consumption During the Covid-19 Pandemic
The exponential growth in avocado demand and production has resulted in an oversupply of avocados, driving the price of the fruit down.
We look at the ways in which Covid-19 has impacted our eating habits.
13 – ‘A Better Choice!’ Youth Sports Initiative The A Better Choice! Initiative saw a total of $32,900 of sponsorships and runners-up prizes awarded to Australia’s youth.
Christmas Messages 04 – Fresh State 08 – Perfection 08 – Flavorite 09 – Brescia
Published By:
09 – Morco 09 – GFP 12 – Toyota Material Handling 14 – Barkers Fresh Produce
15 – Ferrinda Fresh 15 – Produce Time 17 – Louis Melbourne
CEO: Jason Cooper jason@freshstate.com.au
Design & Print:
Editor/Advertising: Daisy Divak daisy@freshstate.com.au W: freshstate.com.au P: (03) 9408 6627 2
Photography: Daisy Divak
Distribution: Fresh State of Affairs is produced by Fresh State Ltd. and is a free publication.
ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
President’s Message
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20 – Seasonal Fruit: Mango 21 – Mango Chicken Curry Recipe 23 – Calendar of Events
We all have a reason to celebrate this festive season. Having come out of lockdown #6 we can finally get back to living our ‘COVID normal’ lives. We may have spent a large part of our year indoors and restricted in our movements, but we can be grateful that we will be celebrating this Christmas with no constraints on where we go and who we see. I hope everybody has a welldeserved break and continues to stay safe and healthy throughout the summer and into the New Year. As is the case every year, this issue of Fresh State of Affairs is a Christmas bumper issue and is filled with Christmas greetings from the market community. There are also some interesting articles for you to read, including a look into the oversupply of avocados and the ways in which Covid-19 has impacted our eating habits. We hope you enjoy the last Fresh State of Affairs Magazine for the year. We look forward to bringing in the New Year with more exciting articles and topics for you to read! The team at Fresh State wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Shane Schnitzler President Fresh State Ltd.
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
WE WISH YOU A
Merry Christmas AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Letter from the CEO If there is one guarantee within the market it is that you will never live the same day twice, and this year has been testament to that. Although we have had our fair share of challenges, we can end the year on a high note as Victoria exits its sixth, and hopefully, final lockdown. With no limits to the number of guests that can gather indoors and outdoors, this Christmas will be all about catching up on lost time with loved ones over some hearty food.
s ’ n o s a e S eti n g s e r G The market has seen many changes in processes throughout the year to ensure we all worked within a Covid safe environment and Fresh State worked hard to make sure our members were continually supported throughout this time. I would like to thank you all for working with us in maintaining compliancy and helping keep the broader market community safe. While getting together at events remains challenging, we hope to do something in the new year to thank all our members.
2021 reminded us to be grateful for the small things and to appreciate our time spent with loved ones. We have a lot to look forward to in the New Year, and no doubt it will be filled with good company, new experiences and many travel plans. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and safe and Happy New Year. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the Fresh State office for any assistance; we are always here to assist businesses in any way.
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Avo-lanche
How much of a good thing is too much?
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Visit any café this weekend and you can be guaranteed to see avocado featured on the menu. Australians just can’t seem to get enough of the fruit; we smash it on toast, blitz it in smoothies, and even add it to our desserts. Packed with healthy fats, avocado has built a reputation among Australia’s increasingly health-conscious consumers as nature’s butter and over the last decade the fruit has become a household staple. Our nation's growers responded to this increase in demand and over the last 10 years avocado production has increased by a whopping 200%. This year alone has seen 65% more fruit produced compared to last year, with key contributing factors being more plants in the ground and excellent growing conditions. Currently half of all the trees in the ground are yet to bear fruit, meaning we are going to see a growth in production for years to come, with estimates set for avocado production to double by 2026. But how much of a good thing is too much? The exponential growth in avocado demand and production has resulted in an oversupply of avocados, driving the price of the fruit down. While a low cost for avocados is good for the consumer's back pocket it comes at a high cost for growers who are barely making cost production. Big retailers continue to tell their customers ‘down-down, prices are down’ but our farmers are hoping for a more fair pricing approach to ensure the sustainability of the industry. The industry has also been greatly impacted by Covid-19 and locked down cafes have been a large contributing factor to the Avo-lanche. Shane Schnitzler from Produce Time says ‘Covid-19 knocked out all of the restaurants in Sydney & Melbourne for a long time, effectively 30%-40% of the product had nowhere to go – it makes a massive difference’. Schnitzler recorded a 500% increase in demand once the announcement was made that Melbourne’s lockdown was ending in a week.
Image: Shane Schnitzler from Produce Time.
Increased competition from New Zealand imports is adding another layer to the stresses felt by Australian farmers. Although the silver lining to low retail prices is an increase in consumers, this price range is unsustainable for the industry and simply cannot last. Farmers are starting to look across the sea for solutions. Currently, less than 5% of the Australian crop is sold overseas but some are hoping to access new markets to grow exports in coming years. Australian avocado marketer, the Avolution, has grown its sea freight exports to Asia by more than 30% by volume over the last 12 months. Anthony Allen, CEO of Avolution, attributed this increase in export to advances in plant breeding and on-farm management which created a more robust product that can withstand the journey over water. As the production of avocadoes continues to increase, it is important that Australians insatiable demand for the fruit increases too. The next time you’re at your local greengrocer add a few avocados to your basket to ensure the sustainability of the avocado industry and to help our growers get through the Avo-lanche. Fresh State tip: you can prolong the shelf life of your avocados by keeping them in the vegetable crisper of your fridge.
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Changes in Food Consumption During the Covid-19 Pandemic It is safe to say that the global Covid-19 pandemic has upended our daily lives and routines in more ways than one, and a growing body of research is suggesting that one of these changes is to do with our relationship with food.
With more time spent indoors and extra time on our hands, food is no longer just an essential part of our daily lives but another activity to help fill the lull. We have created a list of some of the key changes felt across the world, read on to see if any resonate with you.
Healthier food choices Although Covid-19 has had lasting negative health impacts for many, it has also left a legacy of healthier eating. As our lives have been dictated by lockdowns and restrictions, we have been forced to slow down and reflect on our lifestyles. This has seen a seismic shift in consumer behaviour, with consumers becoming more mindful of healthier, nurturing diets and lifestyles. ‘Keto’, ‘intermittent fasting’, ‘oat milk’ - these are all terms that have entered the vernacular
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of an increasingly health-conscious Australian population. Consumers are no longer following a ‘one-size-fits-all’ diet, instead these are being replaced with contemporary diets which are more personalised to the individual.
More time spent cooking at home and with others As well as being more mindful of our food choices, we have been spending more time in the kitchen preparing and cooking our own meals. State-wide lockdowns and restrictions on venues capacity have reduced the amount we go out to eat. It’s no secret that the ingredients that make food taste so good are those that are bad for us, and when we prepare food at home, we are more conscious of how much butter, sugar, and salt we add to our meals. When we cook from home we are also less likely to prepare large portion sizes and be tempted by fried food.
ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Creative cooking The last 12 months have seen innovative food trends originating from people’s kitchens and finding there way into our social media news feeds. From bread making to brewing, people have embraced the multitude of creative food trends that have come about from an increased amount of time spent indoors. Food is no longer a means to an end, but a craft that can be practiced and shared among social networks. Did you use your time indoors to perfect a banana bread recipe or brew your own kombucha?
Snack, snack, snacking More time on our hands meant more time to snack. If you found that you raided the pantry more than usual, then you are not alone. A CSIRO survey carried out during one of the nation’s lockdowns found that 34 per cent of Australians reported raiding the pantry for snacks more frequently. If you are finding it hard to break this tasty habit, then
read the tips below for some simple ways to improve your eating habits.
Tips for better eating habits: Tip 1: Focus on nutritious foods. Start the day with a meal high in fibre to ensure you stay fuller for longer Tip 2: Food prep! Preparing food ahead of time will mean you are less likely to head to the cupboard for a snack as you’ve already pre-planned what you intend to eat. Tip 3: Adopt mindful eating habits. Be mindful of what you eat, from point of purchase to cooking to eating. Tip 4: Try some new food inspo! Head over to ‘A Better Choice’ and browse their delicious, easy to prepare recipes to get inspired. Making the process exciting will help keep you motivated and build a habit.
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A Better Choice Spring Campaign — ‘Local Youth Sports Initiative’ The A better choice! Spring campaign was an initiative aimed at getting our nations kids back on their feet and back out in the field after Covid-19 forced them into a longer than usual half time break.
Through the Spring campaign, retailers had the opportunity to help local kids and sporting clubs get back to doing what they loved through a ‘Local Youth Sports Initiative’, which saw a total of $32,900 awarded to youth sporting clubs nationwide. Customers were able to nominate their team, club or individual in-store and each state gave away 10 x $500 sponsorships to selected entrants as well as runners-up prizes. One of the winners of the sponsorship was the Whitehorse Colts Palaminos Netball Team, who were nominated by their coach, Catherine Wall, through Wattle Park Green Grocer. Covid-19 restrictions and lockdowns have prevented the team from putting all their hard training into
action, and in almost two years the team have only played one game. The team will use the sponsorship towards new equipment as well as subsidising the fees for players who need extra support. Melissa Collard, the Netball Secretary for the club said, ‘we don’t want people to be excluded because they can’t afford to participate, so some of the funds will go towards helping make sure people can participate regardless of their economic situation’. This initiative highlights the importance of local fruit and vegetable retailers, who act as an important link between the industry and the wider community. By shopping local and supporting your local retailer you are helping support the broader community. 13
ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
WE WISH YOU A
Merry Christmas AND A PROSPEROUS
AND HAPPY NEW YEAR
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Merry Christmas
WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE THE TRUST AND SUPPORT YOU CONTINUE TO BESTOW ON US OVER THE YEAR WE WISH ALL OUR TRADING PARTNERS A SAFE AND PROSPEROUS CHRISTMAS
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IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS KIND OF PRODUCE, COME AND SEE US ANYTIME
Workplace health and safety regulations are serious business, and inappropriate drug and alcohol use is a risk to everyone at the Melbourne Market. Introducing The Drug Detection Agency (TDDA), Australasia’s leader in workplace drug and alcohol testing. With over 300 staff, 90 testing vans, and 65 locations, we’re your ideal health and safety partner. We specialise in: Drug and alcohol policy design · Training and education · Mobile testing · Pre-employment testing · Hair, urine and saliva testing. We help businesses create drug-free environments. Come chat with us at Office G02, MMA Building. Visit tdda.com or call on 0410 158 474 to learn more.
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
New Face at Fresh State We welcome Daisy to the Fresh State Ltd team as the Marketing and Communications Officer.
You may have seen Daisy walking throughout the market capturing content and taking photos for Fresh State communications. Make sure to say hello and introduce yourself the next time you see her, she may feature you on Fresh State’s social media!
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Seasonal Fruit:
Mango
Mangoes are a sign of warmer months here in Australia and anybody who has walked through a produce market during summer would be familiar with the smell of sweet mango nectar that lingers around the stalls.
This juicy fruit is easy to prepare, full of nutritional value and can be used in both sweet and savoury recipes, so it comes as no surprise that a whopping 150 million mangoes are expected to be consumed by Australians over the coming months .
season however, the popularity of mangoes amongst Australians is set to offset this revenue loss, with downstream demand expected to grow over the next 5 years due to an increasingly health-conscious consumer market.
Despite the popularity of mangoes, the industry was not immune to the labour shortages that rippled across the agriculture industry over the last few years. The industries reliance on seasonal workers was made soberingly apparent when travel restrictions were implemented to reduce the spread of Covid-19. This labour shortage is expected to result in a decline in industry revenue over the 2021
Industry snapshot of Mango Growing in Australia (from IBIS world)
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¡ Market Size: $131m ¡ Number of Businesses: 316 ¡ Industry Employment: 1,310
ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Ingredients ¡ 2 tsp garam masala
Mango Chicken Curry
¡ 1 tsp each of ground cumin and
ground turmeric
¡ ½ tsp each ground coriander
and paprika
¡ 1/3 cup tomato paste ¡ 2 tbsp desiccated coconut ¡ 2 ½ tbsp vegetable oil ¡ 2 small mangoes, diced ¡ 500g chicken breast, diced ¡ 1 brown onion, thinly sliced ¡ 1 red capsicum, chopped ¡ 2 garlic cloves, minced ¡ 2cm piece fresh ginger, peeled
and finely chopped
¡ 275ml coconut milk ¡ ½ cup chicken stock ¡ Cooked rice, to serve ¡ Fresh coriander and red chilli,
to serve
Method 1.
Heat a large frypan over a medium heat. Add the desiccated coconut and dried spices to the pan, and cook, stirring, for 1-2 mins until fragrant.
2. Once done, transfer mixture to a food processor and blitz until the
coconut is finely chopped. Add the tomato paste and 1 tbsp vegetable oil, then process until a paste forms.
3. Transfer the curry paste to a bowl. Next, add half the diced mango to
the food processor and blitz until smooth, then set aside.
4. Heat half the remaining oil in the pan over a medium-high heat.
Add the chicken and cook for 5 mins or until sealed and browned. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate once done.
5. Reduce the heat to medium-low, then add the remaining oil to the pan.
Next, add in the onion and cook for 3-4 mins or until the onions have softened. Add the capsicum, ginger and garlic, cooking for 2 mins.
6. Add in the curry paste and cook, stirring, for 2 mins until fragrant.
Stir in the coconut milk, chicken stock and pureed mango. Then, return the chicken to the pan and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring contents to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Partially covered, simmer for 8-10 mins or until the chicken is cooked through, and the sauce has thickened.
7. To serve, place cooked rice in serving bowls, then divide the curry
between the bowls. Top with freshly sliced chilli, coriander and remaining diced mango. Enjoy!
For more delicious recipes visit ‘A Better Choice’ — https://www.abetterchoice.com.au/recipes
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
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ISSUE 60 — DECEMBER 2021
Calendar of Events Christmas Eve (Market open) Friday, 24th December
Christmas Day (Market closed) Saturday, 25th December
Boxing Day (Market closed) Sunday, 26th December
Boxing Day Holiday in lieu (Market closed) Tuesday, 28th December
New Year’s Day (Market closed) Saturday, 1st January
Australia Day (Market closed)
Christmas Day Holiday in lieu (Market closed) Monday, 27th December
New Year’s Eve (Market open) Friday, 31st December
New Year’s Day Holiday in lieu (Market closed) Monday, 3rd January
Wednesday, 26th January 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 2021 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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