The Western Australian government is helping food and beverage businesses to explore opportunities to transform and reduce food waste.
A $320,000 commitment to the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project will assist small to medium-sized businesses in Western Australia quantify their food waste and investigate value add opportunities to cut costs, boost income and reduce landfill.
The research will also identify waste hotspots within WA’s food and beverage manufacturing sector.
“With food waste costing the Australian economy about $36.6 billion each year, our government is working alongside local businesses to develop innovative solutions that reduce waste, boost business and grow this important sector,” says WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis.
“Our government is helping small to medium-sized businesses to remain internationally competitive by supporting them to improve environmental, social and governance credentials, which are an essential component of modern business operations.
“I look forward to seeing the innovative solutions to come from the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project and how they benefit local businesses.”
Three businesses have already signed up to map their waste streams to identify and quantify new product development options,
Bassendean-based Fresh Frontier is a ready-made meal company, which is investigating how to extend existing product lines and the possibility of developing new products using what would usually be thrown away. Carnarvon-based Sweeter Banana Co-Operative and Avena Mills in the Wheatbelt are also on board and mapping their waste streams.
Further businesses are expected to join in coming months.
The project is a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre and its Western Australian delivery partner Curtin University. End Food Waste Cooperative has also committed $370,000 to the project.
For more information about the Post Harvest Food Waste Transformation project, visit the DPIRD agriculture and food website.