Sunshine Coast’ FAN Group secures national food cluster program funding

The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) has received a significant financial boost with $900,000 coming its way to help industries in the greater Sunshine Coast region engage with national and international markets and global supply chains.

FAN will receive the funding over the next three years as part of Food Innovation Australia Limited (FIAL) first national Food Cluster funding program.

The announcement was made today as part of the The Competitive Institute (TCI) Oceania Chapter conference which is being held on the Sunshine Coast.

More than 40 national and international delegates have gathered at Surfair Marcoola to discuss how regional clusters such as FAN, which encompasses the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Noosa and Gympie, can help drive economic development.

Sunshine Coast Council Economic Development Portfolio Councillor Steven Robinson congratulated FAN on securing the funding which will contribute towards its vision of becoming Australia’s leading food and agribusiness network.

“This is a terrific outcome for the FAN group and is testament to their dedication and commitment to growing the food and agri business industry in our region,” Cr Robinson said.

“With the support of Sunshine Coast Council, FAN has had some great success in building local connections and industry capacity and in developing the local to international pathway of locally produced goods, working with local success stories such as Gourmet Garden, Walker Seafoods and COYO.

“This latest funding is very welcome news for an industry we have targeted in our Regional Economic Development Strategy as having great prospects for growth to benefit our local economy and create jobs.”

FAN general manager Emma Greenhatch said the network was delighted with the outcome.

“We are absolutely delighted that our submission has been successful,” Ms Greenhatch said.

“In 2017, the food and agribusiness industry in the Sunshine Coast region was valued at $700 million, which was an increase of $30m on 2016. It also directly employs around 5,000 people.

“This funding will help us with our goal to increase this to $1 billion by 2022 and see exports double to $130 million in the same period.”

They were one of only four cluster organisations in Australia to receive funding in the inaugural national Food Cluster Program.

At this week’s conference, FAN is being showcased as a prime example of how benefits can be derived from industry sectors working collaboratively.

FAN will share its local experience and insights with visiting delegates.

Delegates will also participate in a tour which showcases the Sunshine Coast’s high value industry clusters and will be given an insight into the regions world-class education and research capabilities, knowledge and professional services expertise and growing reputation for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Cluster experts from Denmark, Scotland, France and New Zealand will share their experiences of cluster development and the promotion of regional ‘smart specialisations’ for growth.

Cr Robinson said the ability of delegates to visit some of the Sunshine Coast’s emerging innovation clusters was a key factor in bringing the event to the region.