In this edition...
Hello! Welcome to the November edition of Fresh Perspectives.

With December on our doorstep, the smell of stonefruit and mangoes is in the air at the Markets.

And, you know Christmas is well and truly upon us when the searing heat arrives in Queensland(and indeed the southern States too), heralding the start of another long, hot Summer.

But with the heat comes the buzz of the arrival of the summer fruits- always an exciting time in the Markets.

The season really gets underway with the famous Mango Auction, and then continues right throughout this festive time of the year, through to late february with some lines.

Over the next few editions we look forward to bringing you plenty of updates on our range of fabulous fruit.

Happy munching!!

Susan snaps up first ever “Mango Queen” crown
SUSAN Lorenti of Clayfield Markets Fresh has been crowned the first ever “Mango Queen” after making the winning bid of $45,000 for the 2009 season’s symbolic first tray of mangoes at the Brisbane Markets “Mango Memories” auction for charity.

Marking the 12th year of the event, proceeds from the auction and other activities totalled a massive $70,000, and will be shared between Life Education Queensland, the largest non-government provider of drug and health education in Australia, and Redkite, an organisation that provides emotional and financial support to children affected by cancer and their families.

The newly crowned Mango Queen follows in the footsteps of her husband Carlo, also from Clayfield Markets, who won the crown last year as well as in 2006. Susan said she was happy the $45,000 was going toward helping Queensland children and their families.

“There are generous people within the Brisbane Markets community who look forward to this auction every year so we expected some tough competition,” Ms Lorenti said.

“Carlo and I wanted to make a difference and it is a privilege to know our winning bid will support such worthy causes.

“We dug deep and are so proud we won this year’s auction. It is a strong personal motivator of mine to help children in need and the reason I participate is because the money raised goes towards supporting children and their families who need it most whether through Life Education Queensland or Redkite.

“It’s also good to know we also did better than our New South Wales counterparts.

“I delivered the tray of mangoes to the kids at the Banksia Ward of the Royal Brisbane Children’s Hospital and it was such a joy to see their faces light-up as they tasted some of the season’s first fruit.”

Brisbane Markets CEO Andrew Young said the auction was a great success thanks to the combined effort of the Brisbane Markets community.

“The annual mango auction is an opportunity for fresh produce retailers and wholesalers to show their support for some of our state’s finest children’s charities and celebrate the beginning of the mango season,” he said.

“Congratulations to Susan as our 2009 Mango Queen and a big thank you to her and the whole Brisbane Markets community who faithfully get behind the auction year after year.

“We had a large number of retailers and wholesalers bidding for the prized mangoes which is one of the best turnouts yet. The auction along with donations and raffles raised a grand total of $70,000.”

This year’s “Mango Memories” featured a spectacular grand parade showcasing the Brisbane ‘Hogs Breath Brisbane Broncos’ Cheerleader Squad, Brisbane Broncos Vice-Captain Corey Parker along with Broncos Players Joel Clinton, Tonie Carroll, Nick Kenny, ‘Alfie’ Langer and Peter Ryan.

Since the inaugural event in 1998, the Brisbane Market Mango Auction has raised over half a million dollars for worthy charities.


Story: Brisbane Markets Ltd Oct 2009

www.redkite.org.au

Summer Fruits in Swing!
What's that??? Mangoes short??

With mangoes having been in stores for some time now, you could be forgiven for thinking that our 'endless summer' of fruit had arrived! Right?

Wrong!

According to Chris Georgiou, what started as a season full of promise has come to a halt. Well maybe a a little 'blip' in supply.

"Mangoes are really short right now. The fruit from the territory has just finished and sadly, what little is around has been weather affected and quality isn't great."

"The rain in the Territory has really made an impact on both quality and supply,so we expect things to be tight for the next week or two" said Chris.

But on a positive note, the North Queensland season is about to start and while supplies are lighter than usual, there will still be fruit around.

"And then of course, the Central Queensland season starts after Christmas."

Chris also pointed out that while mangoes were in mixed quality there was still plenty of other summer fruit varieties around.

"Lychees have really kicked in and are more reasonable in proice as the volumes start appearing on the Market."

"The brevity of the lychee season means we should all get in quick to enjoy them!"

"There is also plenty of stonefruit around too. While the quality is mixed, the local producers are still managing to supply some nice produce."

With the arrival of the summer fruits, the more traditional fruits such as bananas start to become less popular as increases in summer fruit supply brings the prices down.

"We have seen some really good prices for bananas just recently as the effects of a fairly dry winter in North Queensland meant supply was light," said Cameron Kedwell.

"And while supply is starting to improve, demand has also contracted as the summer fruit season starts. So things are starting to ease in the banana market."

"Watermelons, on the other hand, are experiencing great sales in Queensland as the weather warms up."

"Our other melon crops such as rocks and honeydews are also trading fairly, although honeydews are a little light on supply."

In other fruit tomatoes are also suffering as a result of the weather. Rob Mann says that the recent heat is really impacting on the tomato crop with the quality marginal, although good prices are still being achieved for quality Round and Roma varieties.

Joke of the Month
If you are easily offended..don't read on!!

A very good looking man walked into an agent's office in Hollywood and
said

'I want to be a movie star.'

Tall, handsome and with experience on Broadway, he had the right credentials.

The agent asked, 'What's your name?'

The guy said, 'My name is Penis van Lesbian.'

The agent said, 'Sir, I hate to tell you, but in order to get into Hollywood , you are going to have to change your name.'

'I will NOT change my name! The van Lesbian name is centuries old, I
will not disrespect my grandfather by changing my name NOT ever.'

The agent said, 'Sir, I have worked in Hollywood for years... you will
NEVER go far in Hollywood with a name like Penis van Lesbian! I'm
telling you, you will HAVE TO change your name or I will not be able to
represent you.'

'So be it! I guess we will not do
business together' the guy said and
he left the agent's office.


FIVE YEARS LATER..... The agent opens an envelope sent to his office.

Inside the envelope is a letter and a check for $50,000. The agent is
awe-struck, who would possibly send him $ 50,000? He reads the letter
enclosed...

'Dear Sir, Five years ago, I came into your office wanting to become an
actor in Hollywood , you told me I needed to change my name.

Determined to make it with my God-given birth name, I refused. You told me I would never make it in Hollywood with a name like Penis van Lesbian. After I
left your office, I thought about what you said. I decided you were
right. I had to change my name. I had too much pride to return to your
office, so I signed with another agent.

I would never have made it without changing my name, so the enclosed check is a token of my appreciation.

Thank you for your advice..

Sincerely,

Dick van Dyke

If you have a story or article that you think would make a great addition to Fresh Perspective contact;

Laura Koman
Ph: 07 3379 3034
Email: laura@pershouse.com.au