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Melbourne Market Tour 2016

The entrance to the Kapiris Bros store (71 and 73) at the Melbourne Market facility in Epping, Victoria. The new site opened for trade in late August 2015, and Kapiris Bros provided great insights on this tour in March 2016.
The entrance to the Kapiris Bros store (71 and 73) at the Melbourne Market facility in Epping, Victoria. The new site opened for trade in late August 2015, and Kapiris Bros provided great insights on this tour in March 2016.
Celery and carrots forming part of the display for Gazzola Farms Pty Ltd (Stores 56, 58 and 60).
Celery and carrots forming part of the display for Gazzola Farms Pty Ltd (Stores 56, 58 and 60).
"The Buyer's Walk is set up for foot traffic and buggies to transport produce, while forklifts are restricted to other areas of the market. This organisational structure contrasts with the old market, where forklifts drove everywhere. "It’s much better here, there’s more order and less risk of being run over by a forklift,” Harry Kapiris jokes."
"The Buyer's Walk is set up for foot traffic and buggies to transport produce, while forklifts are restricted to other areas of the market. This organisational structure contrasts with the old market, where forklifts drove everywhere. "It’s much better here, there’s more order and less risk of being run over by a forklift,” Harry Kapiris jokes."
A display of fruit and vegetables at La Manna Bananas (Stores 63, 65, 67 and 69), and part of the display at Granieris Fresh Produce (Store 61).
A display of fruit and vegetables at La Manna Bananas (Stores 63, 65, 67 and 69), and part of the display at Granieris Fresh Produce (Store 61).
Pawpaws and papaya are available year-round in Australia, but have peak seasons in autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November). Most are grown in far-north Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, then transported to Melbourne Markets and other states.
Pawpaws and papaya are available year-round in Australia, but have peak seasons in autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November). Most are grown in far-north Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia, then transported to Melbourne Markets and other states.
A display of melons at the Kapiris Bros store.
A display of melons at the Kapiris Bros store.
Capsicums are a main line for Kapiris Bros, and several varieties were available on the day of the tour, including the familiar red and green varieties, as well as longer peppers popular for baking and stuffing.
Capsicums are a main line for Kapiris Bros, and several varieties were available on the day of the tour, including the familiar red and green varieties, as well as longer peppers popular for baking and stuffing.
Kapiris Bros has on-site storage at Melbourne Market, and has also built a state-of-the-art facility less than 1 kilometre away, which means they can transport produce between their locations as needed.
Kapiris Bros has on-site storage at Melbourne Market, and has also built a state-of-the-art facility less than 1 kilometre away, which means they can transport produce between their locations as needed.
Tomatoes and eggplants on display at Kapiris Bros.
Tomatoes and eggplants on display at Kapiris Bros.
"A display of heirloom "Cimelio" tomatoes from Kapiris Bros."
"A display of heirloom "Cimelio" tomatoes from Kapiris Bros."
"The Melbourne Market has a staffed Information Area that includes a directory of the entire facility. the main Buyers Walk is in red, and looks like the centre and outer lines of a sideways "E". The central, darker red section houses the growers trading stands."
"The Melbourne Market has a staffed Information Area that includes a directory of the entire facility. the main Buyers Walk is in red, and looks like the centre and outer lines of a sideways "E". The central, darker red section houses the growers trading stands."
Figs are in the middle of their season in Australia, and were on full display during the tour.
Figs are in the middle of their season in Australia, and were on full display during the tour.
Garlic on display at the Antonello Produce store (13 and 15).
Garlic on display at the Antonello Produce store (13 and 15).
Antonello Produce is also a wholesaler of potatoes, watermelon, onions, pumpkin and sweet potato.
Antonello Produce is also a wholesaler of potatoes, watermelon, onions, pumpkin and sweet potato.
Yellow button squash stood out for their bright colouring, with their season in full swing in Victoria through spring and summer.
Yellow button squash stood out for their bright colouring, with their season in full swing in Victoria through spring and summer.
Butter beans and limes on display at the R. Anguey store (8). Along with the button squash, the beans were a standout item on this quieter section of the Buyer's Walk.
Butter beans and limes on display at the R. Anguey store (8). Along with the button squash, the beans were a standout item on this quieter section of the Buyer's Walk.
R. Anguey is also a wholesaler of ginger, snow peas, zucchini, peas and sugar snap peas.
R. Anguey is also a wholesaler of ginger, snow peas, zucchini, peas and sugar snap peas.
A varied display of produce including beans, kiwifruit, ginger and limes at the Pure Organic Harvest store.
A varied display of produce including beans, kiwifruit, ginger and limes at the Pure Organic Harvest store.
There is a clear shift in pace on the two outer sides of the main trading areas, with less people and traffic than the central area on the day of the tour.
There is a clear shift in pace on the two outer sides of the main trading areas, with less people and traffic than the central area on the day of the tour.
A diverse display of root vegetables at Antonello Produce (stores 13 and 15).
A diverse display of root vegetables at Antonello Produce (stores 13 and 15).
The dragonfruit season is wrapping up in Australia, but there was an abundance of quality fruit available at the Melbourne Market in early March.
The dragonfruit season is wrapping up in Australia, but there was an abundance of quality fruit available at the Melbourne Market in early March.
VB Sculli trades in dragonfruit, citrus, avocados, kiwifruit, coconut, mangoes, papaya, grapes, melons, eggplant, capsicum, wombok and other tropical fruits.
VB Sculli trades in dragonfruit, citrus, avocados, kiwifruit, coconut, mangoes, papaya, grapes, melons, eggplant, capsicum, wombok and other tropical fruits.
Capsicums, passionfruit, tomatoes and some pineapples were on display throughout the market.
Capsicums, passionfruit, tomatoes and some pineapples were on display throughout the market.
LA Produce (Stores 46 and 48) sells fruit and vegetables including capsicum, avocados, eggplant, cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes and mushrooms.
LA Produce (Stores 46 and 48) sells fruit and vegetables including capsicum, avocados, eggplant, cucumbers, strawberries, tomatoes and mushrooms.
"The growers section of the market is made up of smaller, car-sized areas. Kapiris Bros Director of Sales and Marketing, Steve Tsakoumakis, says this is usually the first stop for buyers, as it is a case of "first in, best dressed"."
"The growers section of the market is made up of smaller, car-sized areas. Kapiris Bros Director of Sales and Marketing, Steve Tsakoumakis, says this is usually the first stop for buyers, as it is a case of "first in, best dressed"."
Some of the produce in the growers area is more unique, such as these colourful beans, but may only be available in limited quantities when compared to the businesses on the Buyer's Walk.
Some of the produce in the growers area is more unique, such as these colourful beans, but may only be available in limited quantities when compared to the businesses on the Buyer's Walk.
In the growers section, what you see is usually all they have available. “The growers really only sell what they bring, and then they’ll go back to their farm and start all over again,” Kapiris Bros' Mr Tsakoumakis says.
In the growers section, what you see is usually all they have available. “The growers really only sell what they bring, and then they’ll go back to their farm and start all over again,” Kapiris Bros' Mr Tsakoumakis says.
Pale coloured capsicums in the growers section of Melbourne Market were a point of difference from other varieties.
Pale coloured capsicums in the growers section of Melbourne Market were a point of difference from other varieties.
Prickly pears come into season at the end of the Australian summer, but are often more familiar to consumers as garden cacti.
Prickly pears come into season at the end of the Australian summer, but are often more familiar to consumers as garden cacti.
Beetroot in the growers section of Melbourne Market appeared to be hot property, and of very high quality.
Beetroot in the growers section of Melbourne Market appeared to be hot property, and of very high quality.
Leeks and leafy greens were on display from many growers.
Leeks and leafy greens were on display from many growers.
Each grower in the section had their own sign above their stand, as well as numbering on the ground.
Each grower in the section had their own sign above their stand, as well as numbering on the ground.
Small and stripey eggplant on display in the growers section stood out against the more familiar purple variety.
Small and stripey eggplant on display in the growers section stood out against the more familiar purple variety.
Radishes, carrots and a range of leafy greens took centre stage among smaller boxes of produce in this aisle of the growers area.
Radishes, carrots and a range of leafy greens took centre stage among smaller boxes of produce in this aisle of the growers area.
On a map, the growers section is made up of four columns, with six rows of car-sized spaced in each column. There are a total of 554 of these spaces in the section.
On a map, the growers section is made up of four columns, with six rows of car-sized spaced in each column. There are a total of 554 of these spaces in the section.
A beautiful display of vegetables showed off the range of summer and autumn produce available in March.
A beautiful display of vegetables showed off the range of summer and autumn produce available in March.
Apples on display at the Bacchus Marsh Apples store on the Buyer's Walk.
Apples on display at the Bacchus Marsh Apples store on the Buyer's Walk.
A wide variety of mushrooms on display at the Mushroom Mania store helped it stand out from other businesses around it.
A wide variety of mushrooms on display at the Mushroom Mania store helped it stand out from other businesses around it.
Early season globe artichokes. While artichokes are generally are available most of the year in Australia, the peak season is from mid-April to mid-October.
Early season globe artichokes. While artichokes are generally are available most of the year in Australia, the peak season is from mid-April to mid-October.
HC Produce (Store 145) has a bright and colourful sign to complement its display of produce, with main lines listed as lettuce, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower and fennel.
HC Produce (Store 145) has a bright and colourful sign to complement its display of produce, with main lines listed as lettuce, broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower and fennel.
A wide variety of pumpkins, potatoes, onions, ginger and some watermelons and limes on the Buyer's Walk.
A wide variety of pumpkins, potatoes, onions, ginger and some watermelons and limes on the Buyer's Walk.
While grapes were seen throughout the market, lemons were a less common sight, as the season is just starting to ramp up now in different parts of Australia.
While grapes were seen throughout the market, lemons were a less common sight, as the season is just starting to ramp up now in different parts of Australia.
Located at store 139, C&S Ponte Produce is a wholesaler of potatoes, onions, pumpkin, watermelon, garlic, and citrus.
Located at store 139, C&S Ponte Produce is a wholesaler of potatoes, onions, pumpkin, watermelon, garlic, and citrus.
The Mildura Fresh Marketing store (125 and 127) had an enticing display both inside and outside on the Buyer's Walk.
The Mildura Fresh Marketing store (125 and 127) had an enticing display both inside and outside on the Buyer's Walk.
Some more lemons, all the more eye-catching for their limited availability during the tour.
Some more lemons, all the more eye-catching for their limited availability during the tour.
Tripod Farmers specialises in lettuce and other leafy greens.
Tripod Farmers specialises in lettuce and other leafy greens.
Some of the display at Tripod Farmers store (109,111).
Some of the display at Tripod Farmers store (109,111).
Corn, chillis and figs made up some of the display at Latorres (Stores 95, 96A & B).
Corn, chillis and figs made up some of the display at Latorres (Stores 95, 96A & B).
Latorres is also a wholesaler of beans, eggpant, zucchini, snowpeas, cucumber and capsicum.
Latorres is also a wholesaler of beans, eggpant, zucchini, snowpeas, cucumber and capsicum.
The longest part of the Buyer's Walk. Here you can see the areas for vehicles, people and store displays.
The longest part of the Buyer's Walk. Here you can see the areas for vehicles, people and store displays.
Fresh and packaged asparagus, which is coming to the end of its season in Australia.
Fresh and packaged asparagus, which is coming to the end of its season in Australia.
Flavorite Marketing (Store 81, 83 and 85) is a wholesaler of asparagus, tomatoes (hydroponic), capsicum, cucumbers, herbs, and pineapples.
Flavorite Marketing (Store 81, 83 and 85) is a wholesaler of asparagus, tomatoes (hydroponic), capsicum, cucumbers, herbs, and pineapples.
Packaged snacking cucumbers on display at Flavorite Marketing. There is a growing demand for snacking fruit and vegetables in Australia, driven by consumer preferences for healthy snacks.
Packaged snacking cucumbers on display at Flavorite Marketing. There is a growing demand for snacking fruit and vegetables in Australia, driven by consumer preferences for healthy snacks.
Some of the longer, stuffing or roasting peppers on display at the Kapiris Bros store.
Some of the longer, stuffing or roasting peppers on display at the Kapiris Bros store.
The growers section was a bustle of activity, with forklifts and other vehicles, as well as lots of foot traffic. As it is in the centre of the facility, it can sometimes become a thoroughfare for people moving from the Buyer's Walk to the parking area, or to the Flower Market on the other side.
The growers section was a bustle of activity, with forklifts and other vehicles, as well as lots of foot traffic. As it is in the centre of the facility, it can sometimes become a thoroughfare for people moving from the Buyer's Walk to the parking area, or to the Flower Market on the other side.
The parking area of the Melbourne Market is almost empty by the time the sun rises, as most people have already done the trade they need to and are on the road.
The parking area of the Melbourne Market is almost empty by the time the sun rises, as most people have already done the trade they need to and are on the road.
Epping is located approximately 26km north of Melbourne's city centre, which means trade at the market often begins at 3am or 4am and wraps up by 6am or 6:30am.
Epping is located approximately 26km north of Melbourne's city centre, which means trade at the market often begins at 3am or 4am and wraps up by 6am or 6:30am.
Gate 2 is located to the right of the main entrance to Melbourne Market and is for regular traders and buyers. If you are a visitor to the Market, you need to sign in at the MMA Administration Building located near Gate 1.
Gate 2 is located to the right of the main entrance to Melbourne Market and is for regular traders and buyers. If you are a visitor to the Market, you need to sign in at the MMA Administration Building located near Gate 1.