To our FAN Community,
How we’ve welcomed being able to hold our first in-person events for 2022 this month. Thanks to Sunshine Coast Hotels, Vanilla Vine and Noosa Beverages for being our hosts. We continue to support our members impacted by the recent floods and thank those who have offered to help.
The Federal Government’s announcement of $33.4m towards the development of Turbine – Australia’s first, purpose-built collaborative food and beverage manufacturing precinct at Sunshine Coast Airport, is a huge opportunity for our members, industry and regions, you can read more about this here.
And don’t forget, Meet the Makers is just around the corner on 3 May! The FAN team is pulling out all stops to deliver a very special event. We hope to see you there.
Your FAN,
Emma
Table of Contents
Meet the Makers
Join us TUESDAY 3 MAY
MTM22Â is a not to be missed event showcasing fresh produce and F&B products from 100 exhibitors from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond.
2.00pm – 5.30pm – Buyers Session
5.30pm – 7.30pm – Networking Session
Join us as an EXHIBITOR
Exhibitor stands are only available to FAN Members. Sign up for MTM22 and….
* Profile your product and company
* Establish valuable connections and new sales and distribution opportunities.
CLICK HEREÂ for details or to book.
Join us as a BUYER
2.00pm – 5.30pm session, we welcome:
Food & beverage retailers / distributors / wholesalers & procurement /Â restaurants / cafes / caterers /Â tourism operators / accommodation providers / event companies.
EOI HERE.
Join us as a SUPPORTER
5.30pm – 7.30pm session, we welcome:
FAN members and partners, industry supporters, media and passionate foodies – come join us at this Networking Session and celebrate our regions’ growers and makers.
BOOK YOUR TICKETS HERE.
FAN Activity
AgTech Uptake Program Survey open now.
Workshop – Monday 4 April FarmTech Planning. Only 20 spaces and free for FAN members. Book here.
AgTech Farm Trail – 3 days, 3 regions, agtech providers demoing solutions relevant to our members. EOI here.
Job Taster Project
In partnership with EPIC Assist, FAN is rolling out the Job Taster program. Participating FAN members will receive free disability awareness training and can also have a person with a disability undertake unpaid work experience.Â
Find our more here or contact EPIC’s Job Taster Coordinator Jess Inu.
Member News
Whites IGA stores win National Awards
Congrats to the White’s IGA teams at Bli Bli & Mount Coolum. Bli Bli was selected from 1,400 IGA stores to win the IGA National Customer Service & Experience Award 2021 while Mount Coolum won the National Store of the Year & IGA Dairy-Freezer Department of the Year Award.
Farewell to Karen & Sandra
After almost a decade of cheesemaking, during which Woombye Cheese won countless awards and sadly saw the passing of founder Graeme, Karen, Sandra and Barry are off on new adventures. We wish them all the very best. A warm FAN welcome to new owner Beth O’Leary.
AgriFutures Rural Women’s Awards
A big congratulations to Ann Ross Hive Haven – Queensland State Chair of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Alumni Committee – on an outstanding effort organising this recent state award and such a well delivered event that was attended by many FAN members. READ MORE HERE.
Here’s Cheers to our local Beers!
Awesome job Creative Tours, VSC, Sunshine Coast Council, Brouhaha Brewery Sunshine Brewery, Glasshouse Brewery on sharing some Sunshine Coast magic as part of Visit Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Capital campaign activation at the recent Qantas Australian Tourism Awards.
Member Opportunities
USC Seaweed Research Project
Missed the recent workshop or presentation at the Brewers and Distillers event? Information and participation in the project is still open. Complete a survey or contact Courtney Anderson to receive a special pack and participate in this innovative research project. READ MORE.
ASPIRE Platform
Learn how to reduce your waste to landfill, your carbon footprint and operating costs, and save money with free access to the ASPIRE platform. READ MORE on how COYO used the platform to lessen their carbon emissions and create value out of their waste.
We Eat Local
Sunshine Coast businesses are invited to sign up for free to We Eat Local – an app dedicated to putting local food and you on the map! Sunshine Coast Council is supporting the rollout of the app, with the aim of more locals eating food that is produced locally. READ MORE.
AUSPACK discounted tickets
AUSPACK 2022 is on 17 – 20 May 2022 in Melbourne. This is an ideal face-to-face environment to see and experience the latest in fast and flexible machinery, track & trace, smart packaging, digital printing, industry 4.0 and robots.  READ MORE here about discounted tickets for FAN members.
The Curated (Side) Plate
EOIs are open! The 2022 ‘side serving’ of this event is a fantastic Sunshine Coast Council initiative which we’re proud to support. This event will celebrate our incredible produce and talent, showcasing some tasty collaborations across our industry. READ MORE.
Business Mentoring
It has been a challenging few years for businesses across Queensland who have dealt with the impacts of COVID-19 and natural disasters. If you need some business support or just want information on the types of mentoring available to help your business, FIND OUT MORE HERE.
Member Spotlight
Roz White, White’s IGA
It’s our 29th year in the industry as Independent grocers. We kicked off with a Nightowl convenience store in 1993. It brought me no joy whatsoever. I just saw and felt the hard work. But, I soldiered on. I mean who honestly gets excited about stripping a pallet and pricing Dolmio sauce, by hand, right? For years I worked alongside my husband Michael, dreaming of other things.
2001 we had just welcomed our second child, a baby girl, and soon after purchased another small and modest store. It was looking more than ever like we were committed to this game. Blimey!
2003 brought the first inkling that I could actually formulate a wee bit of like for this game. We tried to enter the IGA brand but our application was rejected. Well, that was a good enough kick up the pants.
I met some fabulous people in the industry who opened my eyes by imparting their wisdom and sharing some of their learnings. I started to let my industry in!
Boom  2004! We bought our Bli Bli store. Right about then, the light switched on. Who knew you could learn to love stacking baked beans?
Today, I am filled with purpose, it all makes sense and I absolutely love what I do. ‘You don’t decide your purpose, you discover it’ (Bob Proctor). I can certainly attest to that.
People ask me about purpose quite often. My advice, look deeper, explore and immerse yourself in what you do. It will be there, you will discover it, and once you do everything goes from black and white to colour. Purpose sets you on a new path. IT may even discover you!
We’re delighted that Roz White joins us an Official Ambassador for Meet the Makers 2022.
White’s IGA pioneered their Locavore program in 2013 and is a strong advocate and supporter of the local food and agribusiness industry.
Sponsor Spotlight
This month we’d like to give gratitude to Sandra and Henry Gosling from COYO for their ongoing support of FAN and our community. Sandra and Henry are true innovators in our industry, and also fully embody the give-back ethos that FAN has been founded on. Grab a coffee and read COYO’s inspirational story.
Our Supporters
Special thanks to FAN’s Partners and Sponsors who provide significant resources towards the ongoing sustainability of FAN and the growth and resilience of our regions’ food and agribusiness industry.