FAN News

Board Election After undertaking a nomination process, the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) has received four (4) nominations for the one (1) available Member Elected Director position. The names of the Nominees are listed below. FAN has adopted an electronic voting system for the election of Elected Directors. Accordingly, members eligible to vote will receive […]

**Expressions of Interest in FAN’s new business development program close on 29 June** Do you need help to grow your sales? FAN has identified the need for tailored support for our industry members to help them to sustainably develop their businesses in local and national markets. We will be employing a National Relationship Manager to assist FAN members […]

Many small businesses get caught up in the day-to-day management of operational and production issues and lose track of their sales activities. At least one person should have sales growth as their primary job description. Here is a range of revenue growth strategies to increase sales in your business. Identify customer segments that you are […]

Calling All Sunshine Coast Food & Beverage Exporters! Date Claimer:  May 2-11, 2017 Destination:  Shanghai & Hong Kong Key Event:  HOFEX 2017 – The largest food & hospitality tradeshow in Asia. Priority Sector:  Food and Beverage Supported by: Sunshine Coast Council and Trade & Investment Queensland This export trade mission provides regional exporters the opportunity […]

Calling all food entrepreneurs, applications are now open for a new Food Accelerator Program, a game changer for our food and agribusiness industry! FAN is excited to be partnering with the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (IC) to support the delivery of the Grow Coastal Program– which has been made possible by a two-year funding agreement […]

FAN members The Spirit House are planning an expansion to the existing restaurant with a brand new dining room, including a courtyard and bar. In an article on the Sunshine Coast Daily the restaurant owners gave some details on the expansion, which sounds like it is sure to impress diners and also be an important […]

FAN’s vision is to actively contribute to the doubling of the region’s food and agribusiness industry by 2030. A key enabler for this is facilitate new opportunities for knowledge sharing and collaboration both across our membership base and with the broader industry. To help support this vision we have 2 exciting new initiatives that we’ll […]

In September this year nine FAN members will head to Sydney to take part in Fine Food on a Sunshine Coast stand. The event, held between 11-14 September, is a showcase of the food industry’s latest products and attracts national and international buyers from restaurants, cafes, bakeries, retailers, caterers, bars, hotels and other food businesses. […]

Calling All Sunshine Coast Food & Beverage Exporters! Date Claimer:  May 2-11, 2017 Destination:  Shanghai & Hong Kong Key Event:  HOFEX 2017 – The largest food & hospitality tradeshow in Asia. Priority Sector:  Food and Beverage Supported by: Sunshine Coast Council and Trade & Investment Queensland This export trade mission provides regional exporters the opportunity […]

When the top 120 finalists were named for the 2018 Sunshine Coast Business Awards on Monday, 14 members of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) were named across various categories. As a local not-for-profit, industry-led cluster FAN itself was delighted to make it through to the finals in the Social Enterprise category. Emma Greenhatch, Managing […]

Following hot on the heels of their recent win at Fine Food Australia for “Best New Product for the Australian Made Category, 2018”, Hum Honey has just been named Regional Food Champion Other Product Category at the Sydney Royal Fine Food Show. In the lead up to taking out the place of Champion, Hum Honey […]

Helping local food and agribusiness operators to do business on the world stage is one of the goals of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), a local not-for-profit, industry-led cluster. And next week, FAN, in partnership with Sunshine Coast Council will be taking eleven delegates to Melbourne for the annual Fine Food Australia exhibition in […]

FAN is seeking your support to deliver a workforce project in 2018. This project follows on from the Sweetest Job project operated by Regional Development Moreton Bay and delivery partners Stones Throw Group in 2017/18, which has been highly successful in matching trained and skilled staff to jobs in the food and agribusiness industry in the […]

Wasted admin hours are on their way down for Sunshine Coast Food Suppliers. Customers win and business red tape slashed on thanks to 100,000 Hours project. Sunshine Coast Food businesses will be able to spend more time hiring staff and helping customers and less time dealing with boring back office paperwork thanks to a Queensland […]

The Sunshine Coast has lost an icon with the passing of Helen Brierty, a ‘spirited business woman’ and the inspiring co-founder of Spirit House in Yandina. Helen passed away after a short, aggressive battle with cancer, which she sadly lost. She was always positive about life, death, business and valued her business relationships. Her energy […]

FAN’s Chair, Jacqui Wilson-Smith was the 2017 QLD AgriFutures™ Rural Women’s Award Winner. Jacqui was awarded a bursary for $10,000, which she has channelled into producing a video documentary designed for FAN members to learn from titled “Sharing a Recipe for Innovation” . The documentary brings to life the story of how Gourmet Garden became […]

Following on from the inspiration shared by the Ogilvie Group at FAN’s recent ‘Let’s talk about Waste’ event, the Cleantech Effect 2017 offers a networking and educational opportunity for FAN members to discover solutions that can offer both cost savings and improved performance. Sunshine Coast Council in partnership with Cleantech Industries Sunshine Coast invite you to: The Cleantech Effect […]

In September this year nine FAN members will head to Sydney to take part in Fine Food on a Sunshine Coast stand. The event, held between 11-14 September, is a showcase of the food industry’s latest products and attracts national and international buyers from restaurants, cafes, bakeries, retailers, caterers, bars, hotels and other food businesses. […]

The Circular Experiment is a Sunshine Coast based business formed to assist small businesses to both reduce their costs and improve their profits by better planning and management of materials and resources used during their operation through the implementation of circular economy principles; Resource efficiency, incentivised return, servitisation, return logistics, asset management, and innovative technology […]

FAN’s intention is to put our region on the map as a producer of high quality produce and innovative food products, so we are delighted that the Sunshine Coast, Gympie and Moreton Bay will be sponsoring precincts at Regional Flavours next month! Participating in an event like this not only provides an amazing opportunity for businesses […]

The Big Pineapple is in the throws of developing an exciting renewal plan.  This is being done in close consultation with the community with a view to developing a rejuvenated and sustainable Big Pineapple experience that will include a food & tourism hub, nature based tourism, an events space, accommodation and a travel centre.  There […]

With Australians throwing out one in every five bags of groceries, Sunshine Coast food innovators are turning their minds to creating a positive out of excessive food waste. Next week, the region’s Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) is bringing innovators and opinion leaders together to chew over the issue at a special event called ‘Let’s […]

The Sweetest Job campaign, which last year resulted in nearly 200 locals gaining work in the strawberry industry, has been expanded to deliver jobs in the wider Food and Agribusiness industry. The expansion follows investment by the Queensland Government under the Skilling Queenslanders for Work initiative. Sunshine Coast Council is proud to again support The […]

How often do you hear ‘it’s not what you know, it’s who you know’? A person’s business network can often equate to their ‘net worth’ and yet so many people have a deep-seated fear and loathing of networking! Food Agribusiness Network (FAN) wants to flip the fear on its head with its upcoming, ‘Maximising Networking […]

Esteemed brewer Chris Sheehan is now heading to Eumundi to take on the role of Head Brewer for the new Eumundi Brewery. Chris will be based on-site at the iconic Imperial Hotel in Eumundi overseeing the installation of the brewing “kit”, and most importantly, fine-tuning the recipes and roll-out of the much anticipated beers. In […]

The Queensland Government has developed the Biofutures 10-year Roadmap as one of its flagship initiatives to diversify and transition the state economy with a vision of a $1 billion sustainable and export-oriented sector that attracts significant international investment and creates high-value and high-skilled jobs, particularly in regional areas. Waste materials are expected to play a […]

On 18 April 2017, the Government announced that the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) will be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa in March 2018. The TSS visa programme will be comprised of a Short-Term stream of up to two years and a Medium-Term stream of up to four […]

Accelerate your export sales, increase profits and become the next Sunshine Coast export success story. Who is the Program for? Sunshine Coast businesses wanting help NOW with exporting a product or service. Businesses should be export ready, currently exporting or be a successful exporter wanting to enter a new market. What is the Program? 10 […]

At FAN we have a vision – to actively contribute to the doubling of the region’s food & agribusiness economy by 2030 and to be renowned for our food culture and our culture of food industry innovation.  We also have a set of values that inform all that we do.  These values are collaboration, sharing, leadership […]

A call out for food and agribusiness sector to get involved in the Future Careers Plus Expo to be held on 23 May at Lake Kawana Community Centre.  We are looking for about five local companies to take a booth each to profile their company and industry opportunities/trends. Hands on practical experiences or new technology […]

Fully licensed commercial kitchen available for rent or purchase The kitchen is currently tenanted with a food manufacturing business that focuses on nutrient dense traditional foods.  There is an opportunity to rent or buy the business and or equipment and space.  The kitchen is in a central location with shop front and ample parking. It […]

MEDIA RELEASE 4 March 2017 Here’s a trick question – how can the Chairman of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) become a Queensland finalist in the RIRDC Rural Women’s Award 2017? Easy answer – the Chairman is a woman. Jacqui Wilson-Smith is a Sunshine Coast business achiever whose award nomination is based on her […]

Calling All Sunshine Coast Food & Beverage Exporters! Date Claimer:  May 2-11, 2017 Destination:  Shanghai & Hong Kong Key Event:  HOFEX 2017 – The largest food & hospitality tradeshow in Asia. Priority Sector:  Food and Beverage Supported by: Sunshine Coast Council and Trade & Investment Queensland This export trade mission provides regional exporters the opportunity […]

Calling all food entrepreneurs, applications are now open for a new Food Accelerator Program, a game changer for our food and agribusiness industry! FAN is excited to be partnering with the Innovation Centre Sunshine Coast (IC) to support the delivery of the Grow Coastal Program– which has been made possible by a two-year funding agreement […]

Maleny Food Co. is excited to announce its Chocolate Gelato has been nominated as a 2017 Australian Grand Dairy Award finalist in the Dairy Gelato category. “As a new brand, this recognition acknowledges that we are doing all the right things, and we could not be more excited and honoured to be named a finalist,” said Norman […]

FAN has created the Mentoring for Success program to assist small FAN member companies to address a challenge or opportunity within their businesses, by providing access to experienced and skilled mentors. Eligibility Must be a member of FAN Turnover under $1.5 million Participants need to be prepared to provide information about their business such as financials, business […]

The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) Board has voted in Jacqui Wilson-Smith as its new Chairman for 2017. Outgoing Chairman and co-founder, Andy Eves- Brown will remain a Director on the Board looking after sponsorship. Under Andy’s leadership FAN has evolved from an idea to the dynamic network that it is today, with 130 members and 40 sponsors. […]

FAN is about to celebrate its 1st Birthday! Its been a momentous 12-months with more than 130 members joining the network, 40 of which are also sponsors. Run by the industry, for the industry, FAN wants to ensure that it continues to deliver services and activities aligned to its members and the broader industry’s needs. […]

Congratulations to FAN’s members who have made it to the finals of this year’s Sunshine Coast Business Awards! They are: Walker Seafoods Australia Hive Haven Nutri-Tech Solutions Freeze Dry Industries Spare Harvest 4 Ingredients FAN is privileged to join these companies as a finalist in the the Social Enterprise and Leadership categories. An article in […]

FAN’s Gold sponsor, Wild Bunch Media, have put together an exclusive video, photography and social media offer for FAN members. Despite experts projecting that by 2017 video will account for 69% of consumer traffic, many brands still don’t use video. Research has also showing that consumers prefer video marketing over other mediums. Wild Bunch Media […]

The 21st century is bringing profound changes to the way we communicate, do business, shop and even plan our next meal.  Digital communication provides a platform for each of us to connect and communicate across the globe.   More and more people are choosing to buy products online from virtual stores.  This phenomenal growth in e […]

RURAL BANK AND Woombye and District Community Bank® BACKING LOCAL FARMERS As the only Australian-owned and operated dedicated agribusiness bank in the country, Rural Bank is backing farmers and the farming community in conjunction with the Woombye and District Community Bank® branch of Bendigo Bank. A wholly-owned member of the Bendigo Bank family, Rural Bank […]

FAN members The Spirit House are planning an expansion to the existing restaurant with a brand new dining room, including a courtyard and bar. In an article on the Sunshine Coast Daily the restaurant owners gave some details on the expansion, which sounds like it is sure to impress diners and also be an important […]

2 August 2016 @10am – 12:30pm Local entrepreneurial startups showcase their innovative food, agribusiness and wellbeing products.   Sunshine Coast Innovation Centre The Sunshine Coast’s most talented entrepreneurs in the food, agribusiness and wellbeing sectors will display their unique products and launch their businesses at the first of a series of local Startup Demo Days […]

By Jacqueline Wilson-Smith, Head of Innovation & Marketing, Gourmet Garden & FAN director   Through my experience as an innovation project leader over the past 20 years both internationally (Hardy’s Wines, Echo Falls, Starbucks, Kraft) and locally, (Gourmet Garden, Nutworks, Wimmers & Buderim Ginger) I have learnt the hard way.  To take a good idea […]

PRESS RELEASE 16 June 2016   Food network on board with provenance movement   Australians are expressing growing concerns with where and how their food is created.   Recent reports show it’s also something the next generation is particularly concerned with.   In April 2016 ABC Rural reported “the stereotype (that young people do not […]

Words by Petra Frieser, Local Harvest and FAN Gold Sponsor.   FAN (Food & Agribusiness Network) has an upcoming networking event, Harnessing Provenance, on the 21st June 2016, which explores the topic of ‘Provenance’. With keynote speaker Brodee Myers-Cook, Editor-in-chief of www.taste.com.au, FAN members (and anyone else who would like to come along) get the […]

Queensland dairy farmers and their supporters will rally outside Queensland parliament house today to call on retailers to put an end to the $1 milk price war and to set a sustainable price for fresh milk that provides a sustainable return to dairy farming families right across the nation. Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation (QDO) President Brian Tessmann […]

SOCIAL marketing guru Michelle Mason, of Social Tap, provided an enthralling presentation to the Food and Agribusiness Network. The presentation, which involved food and agriculture business members from the Sunshine Coast (including Noosa), Moreton Bay and Gympie regions, was held at The Ginger Factory in Yandina Top tips for social media success from the evening […]

Farmers will now have access to more simplified information about localised support during natural disasters and drought, thanks to a new website developed by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and funded by the Queensland Government. The farmerdisastersupport.org.au website presents the full cross-section of postcode specific financial and social wellbeing support available to farmers and primary […]

BEEF stud-cattle breeder and producer Mieke Fortune says prosperity and the economic strength of the region depends on our ability to support each other and primary producers. “If you really want to leave your mark on this world, worry about your children, worry about your local community,” she said. “The world would be a better […]

The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) is a newly formed membership based not-for-profit company set up by the industry to support the food and agribusiness industry within the Greater Sunshine Coast Region (Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Moreton Bay and Gympie). Major FAN sponsors in its inaugural year include Sunshine Tropical, Gourmet Garden, Wimmers, Coyo, Epicurean Products, […]

All set to be a Networking Fanfare for the Food & Agribusiness Industry The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) is a newly formed membership based not-for-profit company set up by the industry to support the food and agribusiness industry within the Greater Sunshine Coast Region (Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Moreton Bay and Gympie). FAN Chairman, Andrew […]

The Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) is a newly formed membership based not-for-profit company set up by the industry to support the food and agribusiness industry within the Greater Sunshine Coast Region (Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Moreton Bay and Gympie). Major FAN sponsors in its inaugural year include Sunshine Tropical, Gourmet Garden, Wimmers, Coyo, Epicurean Products, […]