The Central Fruit and Vegetable Market’s Statistics Annual for 2008 is now available. Published for the past 16 years, this monograph compiles the most significant data as regards the Market’s commercial activity throughout the year.

The Catalan Public Health Agency, Mercabarna and the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Dealers of Barcelona and Province (AGEM) have launched a campaign to remind wholesalers and buyers alike that smoking is prohibited inside the Market facilities.

On 1 April, some 30 quality technicians from Mercabarna businesses attended an informative session on food safety organised by the Mercabarna Training Area and the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB).

Mercabarna’s Training Area currently offers two courses geared towards the unemployed: the first, a butcher’s clerk course – carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour of the Government of Catalonia – and the second, in warehouse management – taught jointly with the Municipal Institute of Education and Work (IMET) of Vilanova i la Geltrú.

The lobby refurbishment works in Mercabarna’s Management Centre are about to conclude.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of the ‘5-a-day’ campaign. And, to celebrate this milestone, Mercabarna and the Association of Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Dealers of Barcelona and Province (AGEM) are planning a major celebration aimed at Market business owners and employees and their families and at the pupils of the schools that take part in this initiative year after year.

With the aim of continuing to cut down on the waste generated in the precinct, Mercabarna has signed a collaboration agreement with the pallet rental company Chep, with the purpose of facilitating the recovery and reuse of the pallets of this company that are used in the Food Unit.

From 20 to 25 March, three representatives of Mercabarna management travelled to Montevideo, Uruguay in order to advise this city’s authorities on the design of a food platform.

Mercabarna wholesalers and buyers need to be permanently connected with their suppliers and customers, both in Spain and abroad, in order to locate, purchase and sell products.

Mercabarna companies and employees are entitled to a 10% discount on cookery and dining room courses offered by the Escuela Superior de Hostelería de Barcelona (Hospitality Management School of Barcelona – ESHOB) in the months of May, June and July.