With a reputation based on quality and innovation, Queensland’s food and agribusiness industry continues to go from strength to strength.
With one-third of Australia’s primary produce coming out of Queensland, this sector now contributes more than $18.8 billion to the state economy, according to the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN).
Working closely with growers, producers and manufacturers, from all over South-East Queensland, FAN is once again bringing many of them together for the annual ‘Meet the Makers’ event.
Now in its fourth year, this food and beverage trade event continues to grow in terms of size, diversity and reputation and will be held on Tuesday, 3 May where over 100 exhibitors from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond will showcase fresh produce and food and beverage products to buyers and industry.
FAN CEO Emma Greenhatch says the region’s only dedicated food and beverage trade event would create valuable commercial connections and opportunities for its members and the wider food and beverage industry.
“The start of this year hasn’t gone as anyone had planned … so now more than ever it’s time for us to celebrate our regions’ amazing growers and makers.
“Meet the Makers 2022 is a wonderful opportunity to showcase, to a wide group of industry buyers and supporters, the amazing array and diversity of products and produce made or grown in South-East Queensland,” Ms Greenhatch said.
Joining the event as an Official Ambassador is a passionate supporter of local producers, Roz White from White’s IGA. White’s IGA is a pioneer of the locavore movement and is a strong advocate and supporter of the region’s local food and beverage industry.
“I am delighted to again be an Official Ambassador for Meet the Makers. It is a truly unique event where our industry can connect with a wide range of producers and growers and source innovative and new-to-market retail lines,” Ms White said.
“Working with a network of local suppliers has immense benefits for our business and region. When we support local, we support our community, during both the good and challenging times.
“During the recent weather events, we were able to call on our network of local suppliers to ensure our shelves continued to be stocked with fresh and local essentials. We support our local producers and they, in turn, support us – and as a result everyone benefits.”
Another supporter of Meet the Makers is one of Australia’s leading producers of premium plant-based food products, Fënn Foods. CEO Tony Rowlinson says, “This event is important for food and drink producers and manufacturers from right across the region as it creates an environment that fosters connection and collaboration.
“It also offers us an opportunity to showcase our growing range of healthy, delicious, all-natural plant-based products directly to the foodservice industry, buyers and consumers. This is especially important given that this is one of the fastest-growing food segments in the world.”
Meet the Makers aligns with the strategies of FAN, and other regional stakeholders including the Sunshine Coast Council, Trade and Investment Queensland and Moreton Bay Regional Council to make the region the Australian epicentre for scaling food and beverage manufacturing businesses through an ecosystem that drives collaboration and innovation.
FAN recently led a successful submission to secure funding for the development of Turbine, Australia’s first purpose-built, end-to-end collaborative food and beverage manufacturing, education and R&D precinct, that will be located on the Sunshine Coast.
Turbine is set to become Australia’s leading industry-based food and beverage research, education and commercialisation facility with the precinct expected to gain national and international recognition as a blueprint for collaborative manufacturing thanks to funding of up to $33.4 million from the Federal Government. The precinct is set to be operational late 2023.
Meet the Makers 2022 is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Trade and Investment Queensland, Moreton Bay Regional Council, MGA Independent Retailers, White’s IGA, Detpak, Ecolean and Focus Insights.
Key event details
For buyers
Tuesday, 3 May 2022 – 2pm-5:30pm Buyer Session, welcomes:
Food and beverage retailers, distributors, wholesalers and procurement, restaurants, cafes, caterers, tourism operators, accommodation providers, event companies are invited to learn about the latest food and beverage products made in our regions.
Register use promo code BUYER when booking.
For supporters
Tuesday, 3 May 2022 – 5:30-7.30pm Networking Session, welcomes:
FAN members and partners, industry supporters, media and passionate foodies. Join this Networking Session and celebrate the regions’ growers and makers.
For more information, visit https://foodagribusiness.org.au/meet-the-makers/.