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: nikki.tampakas@freshstate.com.au
Design & Print:
Distribution: Fresh State of Affairs is produced by Fresh State Ltd. and is a free publication.
And just like that, we are already six months into 2024.
In the month of June, Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show, Hort Connections 2024 was hosted between the 3rd to 5th of June at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC). We have gathered information from across the conference and a recap from the tradeshow in this magazine for you to read.
In this edition we have interviewed John from Gazzola Farms along with a feature interview of their carrot suppliers, Rocky Lamattina & Sons on their achievement named as AusVeg Victoria’s Vegetable Farm of the Year, along with a better choice! update, photos around the market, articles about seasonal produce and more.
Shane Schnitzler President Fresh State Ltd.
06 – A better choice! Update
The A better choice! Shop & Win campaign was a great success.
08 – Hort Connections
All areas of horticulture were recognised and celebrated at annual conference.
12– Interview with John Demuri from Gazzola Farms
14 – USA Cherries
It’s cherry season!
15 – Avozilla Vs Cocktail Avocado
Super-sized or super-tiny – let’s take a look!
16 – Jacob and the butterfly effect
Donations for a good cause.
17 – Where’s Wally?
Can you find them all?
18 – Around the market
A view from the inside.
20 – MMCS Interview
Fresh State established the Melbourne Market Credit Service (MMCS) in 1992 as a helpful way of assisting buyers and sellers in the Melbourne Market.
22 – Carrot cake recipe Delicious and easy.
23 – Important dates
The A better choice! Shop & Win campaign was a great success.
Thousands of dollars’ worth of prizes were being given away as an autumn promotion throughout Australia again this year. Customers from local fruit and vegetable shops had the chance to win their share of prizes, with a total prize pool of $19,000. The weekly prizes included an Apple iPad, Weber BBQ, KitchenAid Stand Mixer, a Fitbit and much more. Each prize is designed to enhance your lifestyle, offering something special for everyone. This competition is about supporting local, supporting your community and supporting a true Australian industry – the local fruit and veg shop!
To advertise for the event, A better choice! used TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, radio ads and billboards, all of which had a strong message reminding shoppers to shop at their local fruit and veg shop to be in the running for all the great prizes.
A better choice! recently collaborated with the Australian Growers Mushroom Association (AGMA) at the South Melbourne Markets. Callum Hann, Master Chef Finalist and one of the A better choice! ambassadors who did a live mushroom cooking demonstration to local shoppers.
A better choice! was nominated as a finalist for the Marketer of the Year Award (MOYA), presented by Produce Plus and the International Fresh Produce Association.
Perfection hosted a competition amongst retailers for the best display of their Sesame Street campaign and announced the winners – Congratulations to Henrys Mercato Glen Waverley on winning 2x tickets to Vietnam!
The third year of the Zespri rollout campaign was bigger than ever, A better choice! is aiming for 600 stores nationwide. This is a highly valued partnership and the team is really happy to be doing it again. Retailers look forward to the campaign and everyone including children love the campaign as Zespri is very recognisable.
Aussie Apples hosted a competition for the best display and three Victorian stores won. Congratulations to The Happy Apple, Coltovare and Biviano Direct.
Australia and New Zealand’s largest horticulture conference and trade show, Hort Connections 2024 was hosted between the 3rd to 5th of June at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
All areas of horticulture were recognised and celebrated at the conference, bringing together members from right across the vegetable, fruit and floral sectors. Hort Connections yet again proudly showcased exciting new products, services and technologies to help shape the Australian and New Zealand industry – highlighting solutions in agricultural technology, finance, labour, energy and environmental sustainability.
At the Hort Connections event, Barker’s Fresh Produce, Perfection Fresh Australia, Ten Farms and Gazzola Farms proudly exhibited their outstanding produce at the Melbourne Markets stand during the trade show.
The three-day event exhibited the latest range of technology, innovations and sustainability advancements in the horticulture industry.
One of the key messages from the Hort Connections event was that the Australian fresh produce industry needs to work together to improve consumption.
There were over 220 different companies that attended and exhibited, with some of those companies showcasing sustainable and automatic packaging solutions. One of the companies was Perfect
three-day event exhibited the latest range of technology, innovations and sustainability advancements in the horticulture industry.
Automation that had an exciting demonstration of the Omori Tray Stretch Wrapper. The Omori Tray Stretch Wrapper offers a sleek and sophisticated packaging option for fruit and vegetables. The machinery uses less film for this specific type of packaging, making it the ultimate packaging machinery for numerous food products such as meat, fish and vegetables leaving a beautifully wrapped product. The team at Perfect Automation were very helpful and enthusiastic about their significant advancement in eco-friendly packaging technology.
To kick-off the beginning of Hort Connections was the Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) welcome drinks. It was great to see so many of the FMA members, and others, come together on the Monday night to spend a relaxed evening together to catch up with old friends. The networking opportunities that come with people getting together from around the country, across all parts of the horticulture industry was a highlight of this event.
On day 2 of the event, the day began with a breakfast hosted by Perfection Fresh and CEO Michael Simonetta
explained the decrease in the consumption of fruit and vegetables around Australia. The same message was reiterated by Director of Red Rich Fruits, Matthew Palise, later that day who spoke on a forum called ‘Brands Influence on Produce Premiums and Consumption’ that in the produce business, the consumer is sometimes forgotten. It was discussed on the panel, that collectively the produce industry can work together to increase the industry brand even through a social media post, we can increase consumer awareness and as a result increase consumption of fruit and vegetables.
Sessions throughout the day were also held on topics such as drought, food waste, sustainable horticulture, labour, AgTech, food safety, packaging and soil and plant health and our very own Nick Hotchkin also represented A better choice!
There was also a cooking display from Perfection Fresh showcasing their new range of air fryer veggie kits that are the fast, fresh and a delicious way to add vegetables into your mealtimes.
Each air fryer kit contains 100% Australian fresh grown vegetables – washed and cut to size, and a perfectly paired seasoning mix. There’s no prep involved – just open the bag, add the included seasoning sachet, and then pop in your air fryer.
The Fresh Markets Australia stand contained fresh fruit and vegetables from central markets across Australia which was then donated to the Foodbank charity at the end of the conference to go to people in need.
Hort Connections 2024 concluded with the Gala Dinner celebrating finalists and winners for the Horticulture Excellence Awards.
What is your current role and how long have you been in the market for?
I am the Sales Manager and I have been with Gazzola Farms for 8 years but have been in the market for 45 years.
What brought you into the market?
I started in the market at age 15 working in the family business, Demuri Brothers. We owned farms base in Werribee South and grew leafy vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce and fennel. After a few decades, I exited the market for 10 years to run a packing and marketing operations from the family farm and then decided to step back into the market to work with Gazzola Farms.
What is the biggest challenge you face in the market?
The biggest challenge now is the current market conditions. Trying to support retailers at the moment whilst trying to find the right hours that our market needs to trade is a challenge. As long as any decision to adjust the market hours is well thought out with the right level of industry consultation, it could encourage more people to consider jobs in the
industry because it would be good to start seeing younger generations in the market.
What skills, valuable lessons and experiences has the market taught you?
Working in the market has been an experience that has offered a range of different skills that have equipped me in my professional and personal life. Day to day interactions in the market have developed negotiation skills, knowing how to be resourceful, learning how to build relationships with customers and growers, understanding consumer trends, networking - you name it. You need to be self-aware and perceptive about what’s going on around you and be able to adapt to changes.
currently in season?
At Gazzola Farms, we endeavour to have a supply of all our products 12 months of the year from either our farms or from grower partnerships. Our main lines are mostly lettuces, broccoli and cauliflower.
What is one of your favourite things about working in the market?
Everyday is a new challenge, which most times keep things exciting. Dealing with leaders in the market, both from a retail customer base perspective and people in the industry such as the Lamattina’s has been a great part of the journey. Working relationships also become friendships and when you foster these relationships it builds trust and supports the business.
One of our long-standing relationships is with the Lamattina’s. The relationship goes back 50 years and we have been selling their product for the last 28 years. Gazzola Farms used to grow carrots for the Summer/Autumn period of the year but when we stopped growing root crops and specialised in leafy greens, we were looking for a grower partnership and the Lamattina’s were the perfect fit. We have developed a solid relationship working together over the decades and that has blossomed on a personal and professional level. Recently they were awarded the AusVeg Victoria’s Vegetable Farm of the Year Award and we congratulate Rocky Lamattina & Sons for this incredible achievement.
One of Australia’s most successful carrot growing businesses Rocky Lamattina & Sons has been named AusVeg Victoria’s Vegetable Farm of the Year and the Syngenta Grower of the Year at Hort Connections 2024 Excellence Dinner.
Established in 1991 the family business, Rocky Lamattina & Sons is a private, Australian owned and operated company. Situated on 6,000 acres, their home base property is in Wemen, 75 km south- east of Mildura, on the banks of the Murray River north of Victoria. Processing up to 1000 tonnes per week, they pride themselves on being the most consistent carrot producers in Australia.
How did it feel to win this award?
“The actual award was a surprise. We didn’t realise we had been nominated, but they invited us down to the AUSVEG dinner and Geoff went down to represent the company.
We had done some research about the criteria and now we understand the magnitude of the award and it is sustainability which is what we are all about. To be sustainable, reliable and consistent.” said Angelo Lamattina.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or acknowledge for their support and guidance?
“We’d like to thank our customers and we hope that they enjoy our product and that it does help their business and to our staff who all have an
important part to play in the delivery of quality carrots to all outlets”.
In addition to this award, Rocky Lamattina and Sons were also more recently awarded the Syngenta Grower of the Year Award at the Horticulture Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner 2024. The business was recognised for its blend of traditional expertise and modern innovation yields consistent, high-quality products while embracing sustainability, which has earned them industry recognition.
Rocky and his sons Angelo, Phillip, and John ensure that quality, efficiency and accuracy operate at all levels of the business.
Congratulations Rocky Lamattina & Sons!
The sweetness and freshness of cherries is not something to miss out on during Melbourne’s cold winter. The USA “World Famous Cherries” have landed in the Melbourne Market and this is their story:
Stemilt’s cherry season is unique because it starts in early May and doesn’t end until early September. It’s the longest cherry season anywhere!
Their cherry season begins in California, where warmer temperatures and lower latitudes bring ripen cherries earlier than other growing places. They grow darksweet and Rainier cherries in California’s flat lands across several counties. California cherries wrap up by mid-June, which is where the transition into the Washington State cherries begin.
The Washington cherries begin growing in the southcentral part of the state in towns like Mattawa and Tri Cities. The infamous Stemilt Hill and Chelan/Okanogan growing
districts all have warm to hot summer days followed by cool nights. The volcanic soils found there are rich with nutrients and the growing regions have access to an abundance of natural water sources.
Washington State is known as the best location in the world to grow cherries.
Trees are dormant, or in a “sleep” state during the winter, which helps them reserve energy for the following spring season. A thick blanket of deep snow is always encouraged by cherry growers as it acts as an insulator, protecting the trees from harsh temperatures.
When spring arrives and the snow melts, you can look forward to the sight of cherry blossoms blooming from the trees. The cherry bloom in
California occurs first, followed by the bloom in Washington. Throughout spring, farmers closely monitor their orchards, as weather conditions can significantly impact the success of the cherry season. By late spring, California cherries are ready for harvest.
As summer progresses, so does the cherry harvest! Beginning in late May and early June, harvesting becomes the main activity of the season. Each day at sunrise, cherries are carefully hand-picked before being shipped off to the Melbourne Market.
You’ll be able to find these USA cherries at Market City Fruits and Premier Fresh here in our market.
Super-sized or super-tiny – let’s take a look!
Unlike most super-sized fruit, the avozilla has not sacrificed flavour, retaining the signature buttery taste of regular sized avocados. Similarly, the cocktail avocado also has a buttery taste and a creamy green flesh. Cocktail avocados and Avozilla avocados are two unique varieties that stand out due to their distinctive characteristics. Here’s a comparison of the two:
Cocktail avocados are small, usually about the size of a finger, and are often referred to as “avocado fingers.” They are typically around 5-8 centimetres long which makes them quite different from the typical pear-shaped avocados. Cocktail avocados are very convenient for consumption as there is no need to remove a seed, along with its thin and edible skin that adds to their convenience - they can be eaten whole without peeling. The inside is smooth and creamy, like other avocado varieties. They are a niche product and not as widely available as standard avocados. Cocktail avocados are not genetically modified, they are developed by unpollinated
blossoms. When pollination goes wrong the seed aborts or disappears at an early stage, causing the fruits to grow without a seed. This limits the fruit’s overall size, creating smaller, seedless avocados.
Whereas avozilla avocados are exceptionally large, with some weighing up to 1.5-2 kilograms. They maintain the typical pear or oval shape of standard avocados but on a much larger scale. Despite their large size, avozilla avocados have a proportionate size seed with the flesh-to-seed ratio still favourable due to the overall size of the fruit. They have a thick, green skin that needs to be peeled before consumption and the flesh is creamy and rich, similar in texture and flavour to Hass avocados but with a significantly larger quantity per fruit.
Avozilla avocados are also a specialty product and are less common in the market. They are typically grown in specific regions such as South Africa and here in Australia, grown in Queensland and South Australia. They result from cross-breeding various large avocado species, including the Mexican and Guatemalan varieties.
In summary, both types of avocados offer unique benefits depending on the use. Cocktail avocados tend to be used for convenience and Avozilla avocados are best used for quantity (and wow factor).
You’ll be able to find Cocktail Avocados at Produce Time and the Avozilla now at Ten Farms
If you have a butterfly, you grab this beautiful thing and you’ve got to be gentle with it.
It’s the same with Jacob – you just want to squeeze him and hug him, but you’ve got to be gentle.
– Jacob’s Father, Nathan Burmeister.
Melbourne’s “butterfly boy”, two-year old Jacob’s skin is so fragile, that he is wrapped in love every day. Every morning before he can safely face the world, it takes three carers two hours to wrap Jacob in layers of foam and bandages from head to toe.
Jacob’s parents are hopeful that he will soon gain access to a life-changing drug called Vyjuvek, which is available in the US to children with EB. But it comes with a big price tag: $1.5m a year. Vyjuvek, treats the genetic cause of dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (DEB). By reintroducing a gene called COL7A1 into the wounds, it helps the body make the collagen VII protein and promote healing.
Jacob has one of the most severe cases of his disease seen at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Dr Connell, who is the Royal Children Hospital’s Chief Medical Officer, said it took up to 30 health professionals to care for each patient like Jacob.
We look forward to seeing everyone get involved to raise awareness and donations for such an important cause, DEBRA Australia. We are proud to have been supporting DEBRA Australia every year since 2013 and would like to thank Joe Amalfi from Fresh State and Simone Baird from Debra for their ongoing dedication and involvement to bring support to individuals like Jacob living with DEB.
WHERE’S Wally? try to find all 20!
1. Vince from Ferrinda Fresh and Joe from Ten Farms
2. Andrew and Dean from Brescia Wholesalers
3. Chris from M & N Produce
4. Joseph from Tripod Farmers and Domenic from Mountain Fresh Wholesalers
5. Les, Ken and Craig from Fresh Cut Processors
6. Horace and Elliot from H & C Produce
7. Independent Fresh Produce
8. Dylan and Frank from Premier Fresh
9. Joe and Ralph from LA Produce
10. Tony from Ferrinda Fresh
11. Julian and James from Priest Bros Marketing
12. Rocky, Michael and Vince from Premier Fresh
13. Shane from Produce Time
14. Jonathan from Perfection Fresh
15. Marcello from Melba Fresh
16. Henry from CK Tropical
17. Tim, Hayden and Michael from Barkers Fresh Produce
18. Frank and Ahmad from Big Valley Produce
Fresh State established the Melbourne Market Credit Service (MMCS) in 1992 as a helpful way of assisting buyers and sellers in the Melbourne Market. With over 30 years of experience providing outstanding service and support to all its members, MMCS modernises improves the cash flow of its members.
When asked about some of the benefits of being a member, Director at L.A Produce, Angelo Usai said the MMCS has had a positive impact for his business.
“We have been using the MMCS since the Footscray Market” he said.
“The credit service has been excellent for our business. One payment streamlines the paperwork as opposed to making 10 payments to 10 different people. It keeps everyone using it accountable to make sure they are paying on time, making it a safe system”.
We 100% recommend the credit service and really think the whole industry would benefit if we had more members using the MMCS
Another member from the MMCS, Director at Produce of Virginia, Peter Tran has been using the MMCS for just over 12 years.
“For me, it’s security. I like to serve people within the MMCS. You get paid within a reasonable timeframe. I have no second guesses or hesitations serving someone through the credit service and peace of mind. It is a sense of security for our business” said Peter.
When asked if Peter would recommend using the credit service he said, “Absolutely - I always try encourage the MMCS to buyers and sellers of the market as much as I can”.
To become a MMCS user or for more information you can visit the friendly MMCS staff located in the Fresh State office at store 36 on the buyers walk, or you can call 03 9408 6627 between the hours of 6am to 2pm Monday through Friday.
Visit the friendly MMCS staff located in the Fresh State office at store 36 on the buyers walk.
Or you can call 03 9408 6627 between the hours of 6am to 2pm Monday through Friday.
Carrot cake is a classic dessert that combines the natural sweetness of carrots with warm spices. Perfect for any occasion, this carrot cake recipe is sure to impress with its delightful flavours and textures.
Ingredients:
Olive oil, to grease
1 cup (150g) self-raising flour
1/2 cup (75g) plain flour
1 tsp Coles Bicarbonate Soda
1/2 tsp Coles Cinnamon Ground
1/2 cup (80g) brown sugar
3/4 cup (185ml) olive oil
1/2 cup (125ml) golden syrup
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 (about 300g) carrots, peeled and grated
1. Preheat oven to 170C or 150C fan-forced. Grease a 20cm (base) round cake pan lightly with oil, and line with non-stick baking paper.
2. Sift the self-raising and plain flour, bicarbonate of soda and cinnamon into a large bowl.
3. Put the brown sugar, oil, golden syrup, eggs and vanilla in a separate bowl. Use a whisk to mix until combined.
4. Pour the oil mixture into the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to stir gently until just combined. Stir in the grated carrot.
5. Pour the mixture into the pan and bake for 1 hour. Set aside for 5 minutes, before turning out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
6. To make the icing, place the cream cheese, icing sugar and vanilla in a bowl. Use a wooden spoon to mix until well combined.
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.
Fathers Day
Sunday, 1st September
Grand Final Public Holiday Friday, 27th September
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
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
SWEEPERS AND SCRUBBERS ELEVATED WORK PLATFORMS
Known for market leading Toyota forklifts and warehouse equipment, Toyota Material Handling is also proud to o er an unparalleled range of products suitable for Australian businesses. With a huge range of forklifts, elevated work platforms, scrubbers and sweepers, Taylor-Dunn electric vehicles, plus Huski skid steers, scissor lifts, and mini excavators available, chances are we’ve got the equipment that will suit. So, if you’re looking to buy hard working, fully backed equipment for your business, Toyota Material Handling has all you need to add value to your operation. That’s the Toyota Advantage.
