This month’s FANmail is full of activity across the Food & Agribusiness Network.
Planning is ramping up for Meet the Makers 2026, with exhibitor and buyer registrations now live as we shape another focused trade event designed to create real commercial outcomes for producers across the regions. There are some fantastic partnership opportunities on offer for businesses.
We’re also continuing work through Cluster Connect and the Industry Growth Program, with upcoming connections into Foodpreneurs Festival and other national opportunities for high-growth businesses.
Inside this edition you’ll also find member offers, grants, upcoming events, opportunities, resources and ways to stay connected across the network. Make sure you ‘view entire message’ or you might miss viewing the recent “Getting Pitch Perfect” workshop – a practical session packed with insights on communicating your value and turning conversations into opportunities.
And before we go, the beautiful Anna Carrick has finished her ‘official’ work time with FAN after continuing to help us on a couple of projects. But as we all know, Anna will always be part of our network due to her passion and love for all things FAN related – especially our members.
As always, thanks for being part of the FANily!
The FAN Team
Bek, Jacki, Rebecca, Nicole & Anna (one last time, sniff)
Table of Contents
Meet the Makers
Where connections turn into commercial outcomes.
Meet the Makers 2026 is a curated trade event bringing together around 50 food and beverage producers with buyers actively looking for new products across retail, foodservice and distribution. It is focused, high quality and built for real conversations that lead somewhere.
Tuesday 23 June | Venue 114, Birtinya
Buyer Session (10:30am–1:30pm)
A dedicated trade session designed for discovery, tasting and direct conversations with decision-makers sourcing new products.
Industry Lunch, Panel & Networking (1:30pm–4:00pm)
A more relaxed space to continue conversations, hear from people doing the work, and build relationships that go beyond the day.
Showcase your products to a curated audience of buyers actively sourcing new food and beverage products. Build wholesale relationships, generate leads, and be part of a focused trade environment designed for real outcomes.
10:30am – 1:30pm | Buyer Trade Session (Free)
Connect directly with 50 curated producers and discover new products ready for retail, foodservice and distribution. This is a trade-only session designed for efficient sourcing and meaningful conversations.
REGISTER AS A BUYER
1:30pm – 4:00pm | Ticketed session
(Free attendance for Exhibitors)
Continue the conversation beyond the trade floor. Join producers, buyers and industry for a relaxed lunch, real-world panel discussion, and extended networking designed to build lasting connections.
BOOK YOUR SEAT
We’re opening a small number of partnership opportunities for Meet the Makers 2026, first to our FAN community.
With early support already confirmed from government and industry partners, including long-time FAN members Fresh Meats and Nutworks, this event is shaping up to bring together around 50 producers and a highly engaged audience of buyers across retail, foodservice and distribution.
This is a focused trade event built for real conversations and genuine commercial outcomes.
A fabulous opportunity for brand visibility, industry access and connecting directly with exhibitors and buyers. Reach out to Bek Wall directly to confirm your support.
Member Offers
One of the benefits of being a FAN Connect member is access to exclusive offers, discounts and services from across the Network.
From packaging, marketing and photography through to freight, legal, finance, digital, compliance and industry services, our Commercial Members are offering practical support designed to help fellow members grow.
It’s another example of the strength of the network – businesses supporting businesses through trusted connections, collaboration and shared opportunities. Whether you’re looking to save on services, find a new supplier, or connect with industry experts who understand the food and agribusiness sector, there’s real value waiting to be explored.
You’ll find current offers from FAN Commercial Members here.
New FAN Commercial Member Offer: Vibe PR + Marketing
Looking to sharpen your brand message, marketing direction or PR strategy?
FAN Commercial Member Vibe PR + Marketing is offering FAN Connect Members a complimentary two-hour PR and marketing strategy session, valued at $250.
Vibe PR + Marketing works with businesses to create tailored marketing and communications strategies that support growth, visibility and stronger customer connection.
This offer is a great opportunity for members looking to refine their messaging, gain fresh marketing insight, or get clarity on where to focus next.
Find the full offer and details on how to redeem via the FAN Member Deals & Offers page.
FAN Events
Host a Member Meet Up
Would you like to open your doors and invite your fellow
FAN members to a Member Meet Up at your premises?
If you have been to one (and everyone should have been to at least one!)
you know they start with a short tour and a bit of your story,
followed by light refreshments and networking, all coordinated by the FAN team.
Interested in hosting? Call or email Jacki to discuss.
Tuesday 19 May, 9am-12pm – Join us at Lindols Macadamias for a FAN Member Meet Up near Gympie.
FAN members are invited to connect on-farm at Lindols Macadamias, a family-run macadamia orchard and café just outside Gympie. Hosted by the Lindstrom family, this meet up offers a look into a business that has successfully combined production, value adding and agritourism.
During the morning, Sandra and the team will share their journey, from growing macadamias through to building a destination that attracts both locals and travellers. It’s a practical example of how diversification and on-farm experiences can strengthen a regional business.
These meet ups are designed to keep things simple and valuable. You’ll hear directly from the host, meet other members across the regions, and have the chance to introduce yourself and what you’re working on.
Register here. We’d love to have you join us!
Want to be the first to know when FAN events go live? Follow FAN on Humanitix here.
Food & Agribusiness Projects Showcase
FAN members are invited to attend the upcoming Food & Agribusiness Projects Showcase, bringing together industry and academia to explore collaborative research, practical project outcomes and future opportunities for the food and agribusiness sector.
Hosted by UniSC in partnership with FAN and Sunshine Coast Council, the showcase will feature researchers from across multiple UniSC disciplines. They will present insights and real-world applications relevant to local food, beverage and agribusiness businesses, with some of our members having participated in their research.
The session will also explore how stronger connections between industry, research, infrastructure and skills can support innovation and make it easier for organisations to engage with and benefit from research.
📍 UniSC Innovation Centre Auditorium
📅 Thursday 4 June 2026
⏰ 7:30am – 9:30am
FAN will also be showcasing a selection of member products during the event. Connect Members interested in contributing product samples or having a small table presence are encouraged to contact the FAN team.
This event is a great opportunity to learn more about pathways for research and development. We’d love to see you there! Register here.
Member Spotlight
Is your FAN Directory listing up to date?
One of the many ways we shine a spotlight on our members is through the FAN Member Directory. This week we are highlighting one of our members:
ASKAFOODTECH is an award-winning food technology consulting company supporting food producers across Australia with practical, expert advice. Based in Toowoomba, they work with businesses ready to grow, offering guidance across product development, quality systems, allergen management and food labelling.
You can view ASKAFOODTECH’s full profile in the FAN Member Directory here.
The information we use for these spotlights often comes directly from the Member Directory listing, so it is worth taking a few minutes to make sure your profile includes:
• A clear business description
• Your logo and images
• Website and social links
• Up to date contact details
A strong listing helps other members, buyers and collaborators quickly understand what you do and how to connect with you.
Connect and Commercial members can update their listing anytime by logging into WAVE. Update your profile in WAVE here.
Not currently listed in the directory?
The FAN Member Directory is a benefit available to Connect and Commercial members. If you would like your business to be discoverable and considered for future member spotlights, upgrading your membership is the next step.
Love what FAN’s doing to grow our regional food and agribusiness community?
If you know someone who’d enjoy being part of the network too, please forward this email or invite them to subscribe and join us at https://foodagribusiness.org.
Member Opportunities
Two opportunities to keep on your radar from our FAN Connect Member Liaison, Jacki, with EOIs open now and soon.
Big Dry Friday – Big Dry Friday is back! This wonderful opportunity to support our bush mates is also a great one for our makers and growers to connect with our city cousins! Expressions of Interest for stall holder positions are now open – click here to register your EOI now!
Moreton Bay Good Food and Wine Show – A contingent opportunity coming out soon.
Both are great chances to get involved, build your profile, and connect with new audiences. Keep an eye out in your inbox for details and how to apply and bookmark the Member Opportunities page on the FAN website!
We’ve made it easier to stay across what’s on offer across the Network. Our Member Opportunities page brings together the latest EOIs, programs, events, and ways to get involved – curated especially for FAN members.
Bookmark it and check back regularly to make the most of what’s happening across the network.
You’ll find a mix of opportunities across industry awards, capability programs, grants and funding, procurement pathways and export support.
That includes things like Small Business Month expos, programs and webinars, CSIRO Innovate to Grow, government procurement workshops, export awards and roadshows, and initiatives focused on resilience and future supply chains, including Brisbane 2032.
Whether you’re looking to grow, access funding, build capability or explore new markets, this is your go-to place to see what’s relevant right now. Explore the latest here.
Engaging with FaBA
FaBA, the Food and Beverage Accelerator, supports Australian food and beverage businesses to innovate, develop new products, access research capability and connect with technical expertise.
Through its development pathways, FaBA offers a range of practical support options for businesses at different stages, from early concept testing through to product development, analysis, workshops and co-investment opportunities. These offerings may be relevant for FAN members looking to explore new ingredients, improve processes, validate product ideas or access university-based capability.
Opportunities include the Kickstarter Program, tailored analytics and innovation analysis, access to FaBA MakerSpace, workshops, webinars and co-investment pathways. Some programmes are fee-for-service, while others require a cash contribution or co-investment. Details and eligibility vary depending on the support pathway.
Explore FaBA support options
Visit FaBA to learn more about the programmes available and how they may support your business development.
Upcoming Grants
This month’s grants roundup includes funding for sustainability, traceability, research commercialisation, drought resilience, and workforce development.
Opportunities are available for producers, manufacturers, researchers, and industry partners at various stages of business and innovation.
FAN Member Resources
Whether you’re pitching for investment, selling your product or building connections at events, your ability to clearly communicate your value matters.
In this practical session, Phil Ore shares insights from more than 25 years’ experience across leadership, sales, marketing and commercialisation. Learn how to clearly articulate your value, structure a compelling pitch and turn conversations into opportunities.
Perfect for Industry Growth Program participants and high-growth businesses looking to sharpen their commercial edge and maximise every interaction.
Find out more about Cluster Connect: Cluster Connect
Looking for more webinars, tools, templates and tips to support your business journey? FAN Connect and Commercial Members can access the full FAN Resource Centre via our member platform, WAVE.
There is a whole library of practical, industry-ready resources sitting inside WAVE. These resources are created with our community in mind and shaped by the real challenges food and agribusiness owners face each day. They cover everything from investment basics and new product development to factory design, food safety, export readiness, government regulations, promotion, marketing, insurance, and practical support for running and growing a food and agribusiness.
The Resource Centre is updated throughout the year as new programmes and sessions roll out across the regions, giving members a consistently expanding toolkit they can rely on. This level of support is available only through a paid Connect or Commercial membership and is accessed exclusively through WAVE.
Not a Connect Member? Level up here!
Our Supporters
Don’t forget — there’s almost $4,000 worth of exclusive offers waiting for you! Thanks to our incredible FAN Partners and Commercial Members, you can access a wide range of member-only deals designed to support and grow your business. Head to our Member Deals & Offers page to see what’s available to you.