47 JUN 2019 ISSUE
of affairs
Finding a Future for Australian Horticulture The Long-Awaited Operations Review
Raffle Winners Roll In
Uncertainty over Agriculture Visa
ISSUE 47 — JUN 2019
Contents 04
4 — Fairwork Decision Devastates Horticulture Community Recent changes to the Horticulture Award are causing growers to leave farming altogether.
8 — The Long-Awaited Operations Review We have progress! The process of a Melbourne Market operations review has finally begun.
9 — Have you Joined A Better Choice?
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10 — The Results are In We have more winners to announce for the MMCS Raffle Promotion including new monthly and quarterly winners.
12 — Uncertainty over Agriculture Visa The Agriculture Visa was a contentious election issue, but now that the votes are in we’re wondering if we’ll see it anytime soon.
13 — Fresh State Gala Ball and Fresh Start Holdings SGM
If you’re an independent retailer, make sure you sign up to this national program.
14 — Around the Markets
Published By:
CEO: Jason Cooper jason@freshstate.com.au Editor/Advertising: Kate Cook kate@freshstate.com.au
W: freshstate.com.au P: (03) 9408 6627 2
Photography: Kate Cook
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16 — Who to see at Hort Connections 2019 Going to Hort Connections? We give you the rundown on which sessions you should attend in 2019.
18 — The Coriander Question 20 — Eggplant salad with Pomegranate, Coriander, and Tahini Lemon Dressing 21 — Why Fresh Test is Best! 22 — Fresh State’s New Admin Manager and Data Fresh
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 23
23 — Oh My Gourd! A company called Crème Design have invented a new kind of takeaway coffee cup — and it’s waste free!
24 — Farm to Table: And Everything In-between People want to know where their food has been, so integrating a tracing system into our industry may be the next step for fresh produce.
27 — Calendar of Events
Despite the cold weather we’re all facing, there are some red-hot issues on the horizon that we here at Fresh State are working on behind the scenes. Half the year may be over but there is another half to go, and a lot still in store for the Melbourne Market. In this edition of Fresh State of Affairs, we address the big issues that have arisen in the market over the first half of the year. This includes the changes to the Horticulture Award that will have a far-reaching impact on growers and the Horticulture Industry, the review of Melbourne Market operations which is finally beginning, the status of the Agriculture Visa, and the future of produce tracking. There is also a lot to look forward to in the second half of the year. We have our Fresh State Gala Ball coming up at the end of August, a few more exciting draws of the MMCS raffle, the impact of the growing A Better Choice program, and Hort Connections which is being held in Melbourne this year and will be the perfect opportunity for market businesses to network and learn about where our industry is headed.
Shane Schnitzler President Fresh State Ltd.
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Fairwork Decision Devastates
Horticulture Community It’s an issue that fell into the shadow of the federal election, but for the last few months Australian growers have been forced to walk off their land because their businesses have been made unsustainable due to changes to the Horticulture Award.
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On the 15th of April the changes made to the Horticulture Award were: adjustments to ordinary hours for casuals, overtime rates for casuals, and public holiday rates for casuals. These adjustments seem simple enough, but they will have a devastating impact on growers who are trying to keep their farms going. Although April doesn’t seem that long ago, these new changes to the Horticulture Award have been coming down the pipeline for a while and have had farmers understandably worried. Back in August 2018 growers had the chance to voice their concerns about the proposed changes, and they did so by sending in submissions to the Fairwork Commission. It seems that this submission process was a waste of time — not only were none of their concerns respected, but even their request to have an adequate amount of time to put structures in place that would manage these changes was rejected. Instead, growers were notified on the 2nd of April that by the start of the first full pay period on or after the 15th of April the changes would be in effect and they would be breaking the law if they did not comply.
work over a short period in order to fund their travel. But with the new restriction that says that the ordinary hours of work for casual employees will not exceed 304 hours over an eight-week period, growers won’t be able to offer workers the large amount of work they are looking for because they cannot afford the overtime rates that come with going over this cap. In addition to this, growers also will have to cut back labourers’ hours further as they cannot afford another of the changes to the award, which requires increased rates for work completed between 8:31pm and 4:49am. This will have a significant impact as well, as the picking of produce usually starts before the sun rises in order to keep workers safe from the elements and get more work completed in a single day, but now this won’t be something growers can afford to do.
There is a clear reason why this issue has not been in the media’s spotlight, and it’s very simple: even though these changes will ruin Australia’s horticulture industry, no one wants to put their hand up to say that workers shouldn’t be paid more.
There is a clear reason why this issue has not been in the media’s spotlight, and it’s very simple: even though these changes will ruin Australia’s horticulture industry, no one wants to put their hand up to say that workers shouldn’t be paid more. Farmers are grateful for their workers and understand that a higher wage attracts more people to the industry, the problem is that because farms are not a standard workplace these pay increases will hit growers harder than any |other type of employer and effectively run them out of business.
Primarily, this is an issue that revolves around Fairwork misunderstanding the unique workforce and hours of the Horticultural industry. Almost all of these labourers are unskilled and need to be trained, and many are attracted to the industry because they want to complete a large amount of
Growing produce is also constantly at the mercy of mother nature, but now if there is inclement weather such as a heatwave or thunderstorm that has the potential to ruin exposed crops, farmers will no longer be able to afford to pay workers to make sure everything is collected before the weather hits — which will mean excessive amounts of good produce could be wasted.
Overall, the lack of consideration that has been given to the unique working environment of the horticultural industry will lead to these jobs being less appealing to seasonal workers as they cannot get the same hours they used to. Instead of providing holiday workers with more hours of employment, the new Horticulture Award will actually reduce the amount of work an individual will be offered as employers will instead employ extra workers so that the job will be completed sooner. The long-term consequence of this change will be that holiday work on farms will become less appealing as the individual cannot earn as much with less hours on offer, which will cause people to leave the industry for other options and contribute to the already problematic labour shortage.
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Overall, the lack of consideration that has been given to the unique working environment of the horticultural industry will lead to these jobs being less appealing to seasonal workers as they cannot get the same hours they used to.
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Another set of consequences will be put directly onto the consumer as a result of these changes. For everyday Australians the cost of fruit and vegetables will continue to rise as more and more farmers either leave their businesses or reduce the amounts they are producing to survive. This will create a gap in the market, and the demand will no doubt be filled by imported fruit and vegetables. The idea that in the future Australian families will struggle to buy Australian fruit and veg at their local greengrocer is shocking, and on top of that they will also have to pay more than ever for fresh ingredients. With all of this on the line it is a wonder that more isn’t being said about this issue. Although farmers are stereotypically a stoic bunch who take what they are given, this new policy is going too far as it threatens the livelihoods they have worked so hard to grow and maintain.
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The Long-Awaited
Operations Review Although it has been a while since this review was first announced, the market community can breathe a sigh of relief as the new Victorian Agriculture Minister has confirmed that a review of market operations will begin shortly. All the way back in August last year our previous Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, announced that it was “an opportune time to assess the market’s operations and make sure it is set up for sustained success”. At the time this seemed like a big promise without any proof of whether it was actually going to happen; it is clearly what the market needs but it also seemed like the perfect promise to placate frustrated market users. Although this announcement was made over 10 months ago it is nice to know that someone was paying attention to their department’s past promises; our new Victorian Agriculture Minister,
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Jaclyn Symes, has honoured this commitment and has recently signed off on the Terms of Reference which identify what specifically will be reviewed. This review is vital. The concern that the Melbourne Market community has for their future is palpable and desperately needs to be addressed through a thorough look into the practices of the market authority and how things are being run. With unreasonably high costs, poor management, and repeating issues of uncompetitive market practices, it is high time that the market’s operations were properly analysed and, if necessary, someone is held accountable and better systems are put in place.
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Have You Joined A Better Choice? For wholesalers and retailers this program is the fresh produce industry’s way of uniting to show the public that they are making A Better Choice by shopping at their local greengrocer. It’s been a year since the launch of A Better Choice, and since that time this program has been making great strides in getting its message out to the public. In every state, businesses have been signing up to the program and taking advantage of the store merchandising, promotional events, competitions, and united approach to championing fresh fruit and veg. One of the key benefits of this program is the strength and following of its online channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. A Better Choice is managing to reach a huge base of online users and is using their influence to shine a light on independent produce retailers. Not only are people fascinated by the online content from A Better Choice, but they have started a genuine conversation about why shopping at independent retails is a better choice for families and individuals to make.
The content created by this program is a real asset to those that sign up, as they are able to utilise the original recipes, tips, and facts about fresh produce and the fresh produce news that they circulate to promote their own businesses. Let’s say a greengrocer wants to sell more winter vegetables — they can jump on the A Better Choice website and share recipes for winter warming soups and bakes, tips about healthy winter choices, and even the best produce to juice to keep you energetic through the winter months. As a joint initiative of Fresh Markets Australia (FMA) and the Central Markets Association of Australia (CMAA), this program is being supported by Fresh State and the Melbourne Market Authority, and we are looking to ramp up this program’s presence in Victoria in the coming year. You can expect big things from A Better Choice, so if you are yet to sign your business up make sure you do so soon or you’ll miss out!
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Above: The Yarra Valley Farms team.
The Results are In The first of our quarterly raffles has been drawn, as well as a few more monthly raffles, and it seems that there are smiles all round for Melbourne Market Credit Service users. Since December last year when this raffle promotion was first launched, we have been building up to the first of the MMCS Quarterly raffle draws. With a $1,200 Luxury Accommodation Voucher up for grabs the winner will be able to enjoy a night on the town in style as a reward for their continued throughput with the credit service. Not only that, we also had a few more of our $250 Dining Gift Vouchers for our monthly raffle winners that were handed out as well!
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We would like to encourage all companies that are a part of the MMCS to really promote trading using this service to their customers. Using the Credit Service not only makes the entire process easier for your company in terms of invoicing and making sure you get paid, but it also puts you in the running for great prizes — why wouldn’t you want to use the MMCS!
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Our most recent monthly raffle winners were Opaljade who won for February, Flowerdale Sprout Farm who took home the prize for March, and Ten Farms who were the most recent winners and took home the prize for the month of April. As for the quarterly prize, Yarra Valley Farms ended up taking home the $1,200 Luxury Accommodation Voucher, so if you catch them walking with a spring in their step you’ll know why! The Melbourne Market Credit Service would like congratulate all their winners, and also thank
Above: Charles Chan, Opaljade.
every user for their continued throughput with the MMCS. Don’t forget that there will be another monthly raffle in June and July, and our final quarterly raffle will also be drawn in July, so you are down to your last few chances to win. Remember to make sure you keep using the MMCS for all your market trading if you want to be in the running for our final 3 prizes — the more you use the Credit Service, the better a chance you have of going home a winner.
Above: Jared Miskell, Flowerdale Sprout Farm.
The Credit Service not only makes the entire process easier for your company in terms of invoicing and making sure you get paid, but it also puts you in the running for great prizes... Above: Sepp Logozzo, Ten Farms.
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Uncertainty over
Agricultural Visa At the moment, Australia has not got its own specific agricultural visa for migrant workers to work in the agriculture or horticulture industry. With the federal election now behind us it is important that this issue is not forgotten. In the lead up to the federal election, Agriculture Minister David Littleproud and Shadow Agriculture Minister Joel Fitzgibbon had a debate that covered the significant issue of developing an agriculture visa for Australia. Both ministers agreed that a visa of this kind is needed, though understandably there was much discussion about implementing it in a way that takes into account the issue’s complexity and also makes sure that Australian farmers get the labour they need at crucial times. However, after 6 years of discussion and research, one would think that we would have progressed a bit further toward making this visa a reality. This issue requires thorough consideration: the consequences it will have for the immigration policy, the urgency of the labour shortage that
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growers are currently facing, the need for skilled and unskilled roles to be filled, protecting workers from the risk of exploitation, and how this visa will work with Australia’s other visa options all need to be examined. In light of the hardships that growers are currently facing with Fairwork’s adjustments to the Horticulture Award, it is high time they are given a resolution in regard to the agriculture visa so they have one less thing to worry about. With the election behind us, our hope is that the newly elected officials don’t forget that both of the major parties backed the agriculture visa in their preelection debate, and should be looking to move towards this quickly now that the election is over.
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2019 Fresh State Gala Ball Fresh State Gala Ball! The date has been set, this year’s event will be held on Saturday the 31st of August, so make sure to mark it on your calendars and keep the date free so that you can come along to celebrate with everyone from the market and from the wider Horticulture community. This event is industry-wide and is aimed at having a great time and celebrating all that has been achieved this year. Every year we hold this event to give our community the chance to recognise some hard-working businesses and individuals, to showcase market businesses and their products, and to have a great night out with friends and family.
It’s coming around to that time of year again and we are already putting things in place for this must attend event for the Horticulture industry — the
If you are interested in showcasing your business at the Fresh State Gala Ball please get in touch with us! We have a range of sponsorship options to suit a variety of businesses and would love to have you as a part of this unforgettable event.
Fresh Start Holdings SGM Fresh Start Holdings (FSH) is a public company that owns 20% of MMCS, together with Fresh State who own the remaining 80%, and is made up of 51 shareholders that are all full Fresh State members. Recently, the board of Fresh Start Holdings has been looking at ways to increase dividends, whilst maintaining capital growth for existing shareholders. With successful marketing promotions under their belt, they are now looking to allow for associate members of Fresh State to also become shareholders in their company. A Special General Meeting is to be held in Mid-June which will decide whether they will move ahead with this plan.
If this change is accepted, it is expected that the Offer Information Statement will be available in early November 2019. If you are interested in becoming a part of Fresh Start Holdings, you can contact Ross Ferrinda (Chair): 0419 549 594 or Sonja van Eijk (Co Sec): 0421 632 521. In order to be eligible to purchase a share, you need to be a member of Fresh State and be registered with the MMCS. To become a Fresh State member please contact Jason Cooper: 0473 492 942 To register for MMCS please contact Jenny Taurins: 9408 6627 13
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Around the Markets 01
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01 Costa Farms
06 Independent Fresh Produce
02 Perfection Fresh
07 LA Produce
03 Flavorite Marketing
08 VB Sculli
04 LaManna Premier Group
09 Ferrinda Fresh
05 Farmers Fresh Produce
10 Barkers Melbourne
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Who to See at
Hort Connections 2019 If you’re anything like us then you have already got your tickets for Hort Connections 2019 all lined up. The next step is selecting which sessions you’ll attend, so we’ve put together a diverse range of recommendations to help you choose.
This year, Hort Connections is being held in Melbourne, and as always there is an amazing line-up of speakers who will be giving us the latest news, trends, and innovations for Australian and
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International Horticulture. There is something for everyone at Hort Connections, and we have picked out the following 6 speakers because of the diverse and important topics they will be covering.
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Thomas Hertel — Fair Farms (Tuesday 25th June, 2:00–2:20pm) As the program manager of the Fair Farms Training and Certification Program, Thomas Hertel’s session will focus on how the horticulture industry can respond to the complexity and difficulties around labour compliance. In light of the recent changes to the Horticulture award, the issue of ensuring that fair and responsible employment practices can be implemented across the industry in a considered and productive way is an important one.
David Cox — CSIRO Health and Biosecurity (Wednesday 26th June, 9:20–9:50am) If you are a parent then you have probably faced the issue that David will be addressing in your own home, although likely in a smaller capacity. David’s discussion of Growing Future Demand: Tools and Interventions for increasing Children’s Vegetable Intake will be taking a look at the child consumer and strategically approaching children’s vegetable intake.
Lauren Scott — Produce Marketing Association (Tuesday the 25th June, 2:40–3:10pm) Lauren’s talk on Global Consumption Trends in Fresh Produce is so widely applicable across our entire industry that it is definitely one of the sessions at the top of our list. With her extensive marketing experience and her significant position as the Chief Marketing Officer of the PMA, the information she provides on the consumer products industry will be helpful for anyone attending this conference.
Andrew Steele — GS1 Australia (Wednesday 26th June, 8:10–8:40am) You can learn a lot from a title, but Andrew’s talk on No common data standards; no blockchain traceability solution! seems to prompt more questions than answers. It’s also the reason why you should listen to what he has to say; in a time where transparency and tracking seem widely accepted, it will be interesting to see how fully Andrew will oppose these trends. Richard Macchiesi — Visy (Wednesday 26th June, 10:10–10:40am) With a title like Sustainability and Surviving the New Supply Chains it seems like Richard Macchiesi won’t be shying away from the hot-topics, and will be engaging with the future of the horticulture industry from a sustainable viewpoint that is much needed. As the General Manager of Insights and Innovation at Visy, Richard’s talk will surely give the diverse businesses that make up the horticulture industry a better insight on the strategic initiatives that can be expected in the coming years. Tim Gentle — Think Digital (Wednesday 26th June, 9:10–9:40am) This talk is for the tech savvy; Tim will be looking at Immersive Technologies in Horticulture and how things like Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality technology can be integrated into the way that horticultural industries work. If you are interested in how these technologies can be used strategically and practically, then this talk and Tim’s showcase of the tech will be something you should definitely check in on.
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The Coriander Question Coriander is a herb that tends to divide opinions, but those who enjoy it love to add it to everything because of the intense flavour and freshness that it can bring to a meal. As you probably would expect, the Melbourne Market is filled with the scent of different fruit and vegetables, but none is so noticeable than the smell of freshly cut coriander. This herb’s feathery green leaves and unmistakable flavour make it a popular wholesale product in the market as well as a popular ingredient in countless kitchens. Coriander is used in a huge variety of different recipes, but is also a contentious topic because of its interesting trait of tasting delicious to some people and like soap to others. If you have ever wondered about this then here’s the simple answer: the reason people’s opinions on coriander differ so greatly is because of the differences in people’s genetics. Basically, this means that some people are born with more sensitive smell receptors than others (that’s right, it’s your smell receptors that determine taste) and because of this, some people tend to experience a soap-like flavour rather than the herby goodness many of us know and love. This herb has been causing arguments for years, in fact it was even mentioned in the Old Testament and was found in Tutankhamen’s tomb with his other priceless possessions — at least we know where he sat on the debate. It has also had more uses than just as a cooking ingredient;
it was used in ancient Chinese medicine during the Han dynasty, was an essential ingredient in love potions throughout the middle ages, was used by the Romans to preserve meat, and has been used to treat headaches, stomach aches, and even joint pain! Although this herb was originally from the Mediterranean region, it has been adopted by nations across the world as a vital part of their cuisines. In China, Mexico, Vietnam, the Middle East, Thailand, and India this herb can be seen being added to traditional dishes that take advantage of its distinct flavour. Interestingly, here in Australia we tend to refer to the entire herb as being “coriander”, whereas in other countries it is simply the seeds of the plant that are known as “coriander” and the leaves and stems are called “cilantro”. Coriander is in season in Autumn, and pairs well with many winter dishes. Why not try adding some freshly chopped coriander the next time you are making a soup or cooking seafood? It’s flavour is always best when coriander is fresh rather than dried, so make sure to pick some up on your next trip to the greengrocer.
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Eggplant Salad with Pomegranate, Coriander, and Tahini lemon dressing Ingredients
Method
Salad
1.
¡¡ 2 eggplants ¡¡ 3 tbsp miso paste ¡¡ 1/3 cup hot water ¡¡ 1 pomegranate ¡¡ Small bunch of coriander
(alternatively mint or basil)
Dressing
Slice the eggplant thinly, into 1cm thick slices.
2. Combine
miso paste with hot water and whisk until smooth. Brush eggplant with miso glaze and leave for 10–15 minutes to marinate.
3. Meanwhile,
remove pomegranate seeds by rolling on the table to loosen seeds from pod. Slice in half and tap the skin with a spoon to release the seeds.
4. Combine
Set aside.
¡¡ 1/2 cup natural or
5. Lay
¡¡ 3 tbsp tahini
6. Lay
coconut yoghurt
¡¡ 1 tsp lemon juice ¡¡ Salt to taste
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dressing ingredients and whisk until smooth.
eggplant on grill or frying pan on medium/high heat. Cook for five minutes each side, until soft and lightly browned. grilled eggplant slices on a platter. Drizzle the dressing over and top with pomegranate seeds and fresh coriander.
7. Season
to taste and serve.
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Why FreshTest is Best! You’re a step behind the curve if you haven’t started using FreshTest for all your produce testing — we’re committed to beating our competitors through having the lowest price and the best service. Back in 2001, FreshTest was started so that the companies working out of Australia’s Central Markets had an avenue for affordable and reliable MRL (chemical residue) and microbial testing for their produce. It’s the way of the market community to band together and support each other, and FreshTest was formed for that exact reason. This service is available to wholesalers and growers to provide them with proof to show their buyers that their produce is food-safe and quality assured. Here at the Melbourne Market our FreshTest representative, Alysha Snell, has been working tirelessly out on the buyer’s floor to make sure that you know where to get the best price and service for your produce testing. But don’t take it from us, listen to our return customers who are more than satisfied that FreshTest is the right choice for them.
“We use FreshTest because of their good deals on produce testing” — Nutrano Trading VIC “We choose FreshTest because it’s cost effective — it’s that simple” — Geelong Citrus “FreshTest is right for us because of their efficiency and ability to fulfil the requirements of our national Quality Assurance systems” — Perfection Fresh If you haven’t used FreshTest, we recommend you give us a try — we are committed to proving that we are the best choice in produce testing, and you will be sure to become a regular user if you give us a go. For more information or to book a test with us today call Alysha Snell at 0438 429 238 or send a message to alysha@freshstate.com.au
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Carolyn Dyson:
Fresh State Administration and MMCS Manager
You may have already met the new face at Fresh State, but for those who haven’t we are proud to announce that Carolyn Dyson has come on board as our new Administration Manager. Carolyn has joined us after extensive experience in Credit Management in different industries including printing and automotive, and in her first few months at Fresh State has fit in extremely well with our office and MMCS team. Carolyn saw this role with Fresh State as a chance to branch out and learn new skills in a new environment, and even in her short time here she says that she has found out “that market people are genuine, hardworking, and good to work with”. Although her accent is clearly from the UK (she is from Sutton which is near Wimbledon for those who are wondering), it is clear that she fits in well at the market and we look forward to having her around for a while.
Do you know about Data Fresh? If you want to stay fully informed about prices in the market then Data Fresh is something you should look into a bit further. Fresh State runs the Data Fresh service to provide wholesalers, retailers, growers, government bodies, and industry associations with information about the price of fruit and vegetables in the market. This allows all of these many groups to stay in the know about market trends. We understand that businesses are different and may require alternate levels of price reporting, which is why our system is flexible. You can sign up for reports on a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly basis, or you can get a report that is specific to
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regularity or season, or even to the type of produce you require information on. You also have a specific point of call; Tony Nigro has been dedicated to this program for many years and is the perfect person to assist you with any questions you may have about market prices. If you would like to find out more, contact Tony Nigro at tonyn@freshstate.com.au who will give you the full run down on all of your Data Fresh options. You can also go onto the fresh state website, www.freshstate.com.au, for more information or to download the Data Fresh application form.
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Oh my Gourd! Trying to create fresh and new sustainable solutions can be a difficult thing, but this company has managed to do exactly that. For all the coffee drinkers out there, this could be the next thing to hit your local café! You may be aware that the majority of takeaway coffee cups used in cafes are not recyclable — they are made from a mix of paper and plastic and coated with a leak-proof layer that means that they cannot be broken down easily. And although there has been a big push for consumers to make the move toward reusable coffee cups, those of us who accidentally left our mugs at home are stuck with the options of getting a non-recyclable cup or going without. But what if there were another way? A company called Crème Design in the USA have created a solution — coffee cups that are grown from gourds. It may seem impossible but using 3D moulds these innovators have been able to shape the fruit to grow into a cup-shape that becomes a perfect receptacle when picked.
They say they got their idea from the Japanese and their inventive use of moulds to shape watermelons into cubes which are easier to stack. Using gourds to store liquids is not a completely unheard of idea, in ancient societies they were dried out and used for exactly this purpose. But by creating a sustainable, renewable, and compostable substitute for the coffee cup, Crème Design has made it a bit easier to live a waste free lifestyle in the modern era — and although this product is still in the design phase, we’re sure this innovative company will get the funding they need for research and development. Maybe we’ll get lucky and it won’t be too long until they hit Australian shores — one can only hope!
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Farm to Table:
And Everything In-between Will blockchain tracking be the next big thing for produce? With advances in technology and increased public interest in where food has come from, this kind of end-to-end transparency may be in the horticultural industry’s future. If you stop to think over the journey that your food goes on to get from the farm to your dinner plate, you’re likely to realise that there is a lot more that goes into this trip than we tend to think about. Unfortunately, this means that there are many opportunities for food contamination before your food gets to you, a concern which has been exacerbated in recent years with increased instances of food-borne illness outbreaks and intentional contamination of produce. In order to combat this, companies have been thinking outside the box to create a more transparent and trackable system, and one of the potential solutions ideas is the use of blockchain technology to track the life and journey of fresh food.
where ever produce stops or changes hands on its way to the customer, there would be a detailed record of this. Information such as where the produce was, when it got there and when it left, what company was handling it at the time, and so on, would all be recorded and would be publicly accessible. For the consumer, this means that they will be able to reliably view these records and find out where their food has come from. This would also have ramifications for food safety, as recalled products would be more easily identifiable with a simple scan by the customers themselves. In light of the 2018 incidents of strawberries tampering, it seems essential that some kind of detailed tracking system is put in place; it took 2 months for the main suspect of the strawberry contamination to be arrested by the police, and within this time the reputation of Australia’s horticulture and export industry was severely damaged. Although we wouldn’t wish for it, if an incident like this were to occur again a system of recordkeeping like blockchain would prevent the extent of the losses for growers and retailers by clearly identifying what stock is at risk and where the contamination may have entered the produce. After all, customers just want to be able to trust the condition of the produce they are purchasing. All up, perhaps blockchain and the produce industry are the perfect pairing after all.
For the consumer this means that they will be able to reliably view these records and find out where their food has come from.
Now, if you see the word “blockchain” and your mind fills with a haze then don’t despair, here’s the basic rundown for those of us who didn’t make our fortunes in bitcoin. Blockchain is record tracking system that is linked through cryptography, and each of these records is time-stamped and managed by multiple computers so that it is not owned by one entity. This way of storing information means that records are less likely to be corrupted because they are independently controlled and are also bound to the other records within the “chain” of information. This still may seem complicated, but if it was applied to the horticultural industry it would basically mean that
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Calendar of Events 24th–26th of June — Hort Connections: Melbourne Convention Centre
Friday 30th August Saturday 31st August
— Melbourne Market’s 4th Birthday Celebrations
— Fresh State Gala Ball
Friday 27th September Sunday 6th October — Daylight Savings begins
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— AFL Grand Final, public holiday
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