The Melbourne Market and National Flower Centre, Victoria’s only wholesale fresh produce and cut flower market, celebrated 10 years at its purpose-built Epping site late last week with a community event and showstopping four-tiered cake.

Ten years ago, in August 2015, the market community finished trade at the former West Melbourne location on Friday, 28 August and completed a seamless transition to Epping just 48 hours later.

The Melbourne Market community gathered on Thursday, 28 August 2025, to mark the anniversary of this remarkable feat, sharing stories, snacks, and slices of the metre-tall cake, which was skilfully decorated with fruits, vegetables, and flowers made from royal icing.

In a short address at the celebration, Melbourne Market CEO, Mark Maskiell, congratulated the market community on their hard work and dedication working through the night to supply Victorians with the fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers they need.

‘Over the past 10 years, the Epping Market has continued to be a crucial part of Victoria's fresh fruit, vegetable and cut flower supply chain,’ Maskiell said.

‘We take this moment to reflect on the past ten years, and we look forward to continuing these valuable working relationships for many more years to come.’

The Victorian government first announced plans for the market’s move to a new 67-hectare site at Epping in 2004, and construction began in 2012. The original design prioritises sustainability, safety, and efficiency, which delivered tangible benefits for market businesses through initiatives such as a central cooling plant, on-site recycling transfer station and separated vehicle and pedestrian pathways.

Epping, a suburb in Melbourne’s north, was chosen for its proximity to Victoria’s major freeways and land availability. The move allowed the Market's footprint to more than double. The surrounding region has since become a food, beverage, and fibre manufacturing hub for Victoria.

Over the past 10 years, the Melbourne Market Authority has responded to the changing needs of the fresh produce and flower industries by building additional undercover parking, on-site warehousing and installing 5,432 2-4 megawatt solar panels to help offset tenant electricity costs.

Plans have also recently been announced for two new warehouse pads on the site’s outer ring, which will add a further 10,244 sqm of warehouse capacity to the existing 93,000 sqm.