Your monthly FANmail update.

Reading our last FANmail from February reminds me that the idea of 'normalcy' seems like a lifetime ago. In 6 short weeks, along with so many of you, we have had to re-evaluate, re-invent and re-imagine our future.

Since the COVID-19 crisis began to unfold, we've been connecting with our members, offering ongoing support and assistance. It's humbling to be a 'safe space' where our members can share the full impacts that this crisis is having on them. In the face of great adversity, we've seen so many businesses already transform to create new products, work with others on new offers and move into new market channels.

The breadth of our membership has enabled us to connect businesses across the value chain and help members to find creative and innovative solutions. We have also benefited from the relationships with our partners and stakeholders, who have provided us with timely and relevant information. The power of a collaborative community has become truly apparent in this time; and this shining beacon of light within our FAN network has given us much needed hope.

Yours in collaboration
Emma Greenhatch

FAN UPDATES

Making Connections
On 7 April, we launched FAN Connect, powered by Bizitize. More than just a business directory, FAN Connect is an online hub to help our members to connect, share and work together, both within FAN's membership and also with other business groups on the platform. If you haven't already logged in or need help, please contact Bec for a chat.

Sharing Knowledge
Over the past 6 weeks, we've run an extensive series of zoom sessions, providing relevant information and support to help our food and ag community to navigate these uncertain times. All sessions have been recorded for viewing at a convenient time - FIND HERE. Our team are always at the end of the phone to provide assistance and support, please reach out.

Sharing Information
There is so much information coming out and we're mindful that the majority of our members have limited time to wade through it all. To help, we've has been consolidating information and resources from government and other trusted sources.
READ MORE F&B Industry-specific information
READ MORE General information resources and support

Profile and Promotion
The team has been busy using our connections and relationships with local media to create profile opportunities for members and promote the buy local, shop local, support local message. To-date, 20 stories have run featuring members' stories, initiatives and campaigns that we've been actively supporting. If you have a story to share please email us with the details.

CAPABILITY BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES

FAN's Export Programme

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST for FAN's Export Programme, being delivered in partnership with Export Connect. Adapted to suit the current circumstances, this programme aims to build export readiness so our members are ready to go when export markets open up again, and they will. The programme includes an online export workshop series, one-on-one online mentoring sessions and online buyer connections via a virtual market visit.

"Thank you for your expert guidance on the trip to Singapore. From the in-depth market research before the trip through to the professional advice provided throughout the trip, I left Singapore armed with the information I need to succeed in this market. In addition, the buyer meetings were professionally conducted and were all with relevant interested parties." Kylie Watson, Nutworks

Upcoming Zoom Sessions
Details on upcoming sessions, speakers, topics and times coming soon. Check our FAN Member FB page and your emails for details.

SPRUNGG Virtual Change Accelerator Program

Do you need to shake up, or even radically change your processes, products, services, business models and systems? Jacqui Wilson-Smith, founder of Sustainable Innovation Co. has designed a modular, virtual Sustainable Change Accelerator Program - SPRUNGG. It’s to help businesses transform and thrive in a new normal COVID-19 world and beyond. Since you’ve got to change anyway, why not change more sustainably – better for business, people and profit? We need your help to co-design the 'best-fit' program for FAN members, click HERE to take a quick survey. To register your interest in the program, click HERE.

TCI Oceania Conference 2020
This Webinar Series is an opportunity for Australian/Oceania cluster practitioners and stakeholders to connect, share information and experiences on how clusters are navigating through turbulent times. Being equipped with this knowledge has never been more critical than today, especially with Australia’s recent Black Summer, and now the global COVID-19 pandemic. Sessions are 14 and 28 May. READ MORE HERE.

CAMPAIGNS

@Localfood campaign
Whilst FAN has traditionally operated in the B2B space, in early March we launched our @local food campaign to shine a spotlight on our farmers and food and beverage makers across the region and promote the #buylocal #supportlocal message. Show your support and jump over to @localfoodsunshinecoast, @localfoodnoosa, @localfoodmoretonbay and @localfoodgympie (on FB or insta) and like, tag and share!

1st Virtual Big Rosella Festival

Lovers of local food can rejoice with the news that CC’S Kitchen's renowned Big Rosella Festival, proudly supported by FAN, is back on – albeit in an online format and now over 3 days (2, 3 and 4 May). Originally scheduled for 3 May – CC Diaz-Petersen from CC’s Kitchen has decided to host the festival online – via the Big Rosella Festival facebook page – where ‘festival goers’ can experience everything rosella without having to leave home.

GourMAY
Gympie's GourMAY festival is going online - kicking off with the above mentioned Big Rosella Festival. FAN is proudly supporting the experience, with details of FAN related sessions and overall details coming soon. In the meantime jump over to the Gympie Gold Regional Produce socials for details.

Front Line Campaign
In April, FAN supported the launch of the Front Line Campaign an initiative of Glass House Brewery and proudly supported by Wishlist and Sparx Digital. The campaign is designed to say thank you to our healthcare workers and support vulnerable patients in our community, whilst shining a spotlight on local hospitality and food and beverage businesses. READ MORE HERE.

Eat Local Noosa

FAN is a proud supporter of the recently launched www.eatlocalnoosa.com.au. This virtual marketplace is your one stop shop for everything Eat and Drink in Noosa and what is open now! Designed to support local Noosa businesses you will find everything from heat and eat meals, takeaway meals including delivery, butchers, bakers, grocers, fruit and vegetables shops, seafood, coffee, eggs and dairy. The site and campaign is proudly supported by Noosa Council, Tourism Noosa, Country Noosa, Noosa Eat & Drink, Slow Food Noosa and In Noosa Magazine.

Jump over to all of these campaigns and help us spread the word!!!!

COLLABORATIONS

The Crate Collective

THE CRATE COLLECTIVE is a Sunshine Coast based initiative that encompasses the true meaning of supporting local and sustainable products and businesses. The crate comprises sustainable, health conscious, ethically sourced & produced, gluten-free readymade products, wines, raw ingredients, recipes, and ideas for increasing your home cooking repertoire. It features a number of FAN Members including Green Valley Fingerlimes and Frozen Sunshine Iceblocks.

Meet the Makers at Home
Josh from Creative Tours has reinvented his popular tour experience with a Meet the Maker at Home series, featuring a great range of our local producers and makers. The experience includes the delivery of local produce to your door, followed by an exclusive online session with some of the best local producers, food and beverage makers and chefs. The series includes: #1 Beer and Bites, #2 Gin Masterclass, #3 Coffee & Chocolate, #4 Farm to Fork, #5 Cheese Please.

Sharing the love

Supporters of local food have been well looked after in this period with Mill Street Kitchen and Pantry and Good Harvest Organic Farm teaming up to literally "supply the goods". James and Haley from Mill Street are now delivering a wide range of local products, alongside their own home-cooked meals. Meanwhile, Mick and Kelly have added James' meals to their expanded delivery options, which also features a wide range of local produce and products including Montville Coffee and Nourishing Wholefoods.

Stay at Home Date Pack

For the romantics staying at home, Michael from Fable Food Co created a tasty #Stayhome Date Night Hamper - with great success. The pack included delicious plant based meals from local cafes, Glass House Brewery Beer, free coffee cards, Homemade Bliss desserts, locally produced hot sauce and a beginners pottery pack for the ultimate date night in!

Please contact nicole@foodagribusiness.org.au if you have something to share.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FROM OUR REGIONS

NOOSA COUNCIL

Visit the Business and COVID-19 website for more information.

MORETON BAY
Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay
MBRIT information

SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL
Visit the COVID-19 support for business page for more information.

GYMPIE REGIONAL COUNCIL
Read more about the recently released E-Commerce Grant.

BETTER BUSINESS TIPS WITH BENTLEYS

Getting your business through in good shape

By Jo Adams, Business Development Manager Bentleys

Navigating the information on assistance available for businesses is overwhelming in the current environment. We’ve created this summary document to help you to find out more about government tax support measures, how to access JobKeeper, what to do if you’re considering re-engaging staff, how to sustain your commercial property business, and what business insurance relief you can get.

The team at Bentleys, are doing everything we can to help businesses come out of this challenging time in good shape. We can help you understand all the benefits you can take advantage of, and how best to carve out the road forward Read more here.

Need help? The team at Bentleys offers FAN members a FREE no-obligation 30-minute meeting to discuss your business. Contact us today if you’d like to book an appointment.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

EPIC ASSIST

We would like to congratulate our valued partner EPIC Assist on 30 years of operation. EPIC Assist is proud to be supporting FAN members to find job-ready employees who will bring valuable new perspectives and a competitive advantage to their business. Over the course of our partnership, EPIC Assist has worked with six FAN members to place 12 employees and we look forward to a long and continued relationship. Visit here for more details about how EPIC Assist can work with your business.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS

Special thanks to FAN's Partners who provide significant resources towards the ongoing sustainability of FAN and the growth of our regions' food and agribusiness industry.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING FAN

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