FANMail November

FANMail November

This post is part of our monthly FANMail newsletter for everything Sunshine Coast Food & Agribusiness.

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2020 has certainly tested us all. Despite the challenges, we have seen so many of our members not just survive, but transform. And we have seen the past 5 years of building connections and relationships come to the fore, with members supporting each other in many different ways. FAN has also taken a deep dive into its business over the past six months, and we share our exciting plans for 2021 in News & Updates. I’d like to acknowledge the huge effort of FAN’s team and board for navigating us through these complex times.

This is our last FANmail for 2020 and I’d like to thank our members, partners, sponsors and supporters, who inspire us to be greater and continue to believe in a world where we’re stronger together. We look forward to a brighter 2021 and wish you a safe and restful holiday season. 

Yours in collaboration,
Emma Greenhatch

Table of Contents

FAN News & Updates

FAN Annual General Meeting - new Directors and updates

On Thursday 26 November FAN hosted its AGM and 5th Birthday Celebrations. We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Agnew, Managing Director of The Happy Snack Company and David Cohen Managing Director of Biofields to our Board of Directors. We would also like to thank retiring Director, Ann Ross from HiveHaven, for her service to the Board over the past two years and we look forward to working with Ann in her new role as Glasshouse Country Chamber of Commerce Committee Member. It was also announced that Andrew-Eves Brown will be stepping down as FAN Chair and Elected Director, following his recent appointment as the Head of Economic Development at Sunshine Coast Council. We have greatly valued Andrew’s time and expertise as FAN Chair and thank him for his contribution and continued support of FAN. Jacqui Price is acting as interim Chair. 

A New Direction for FAN

At the AGM we were pleased to share preliminary details of FAN’s new business model, to be rolled out in 2021. After a six-month strategic planning process that involved extensive consultation with FAN members, FAN will be moving to a hub and spoke model, starting with regional hubs in the four regions that FAN currently has a footprint in. Each hub will have its own coordinator, who will support the members in their region and work closely with other hub coordinators and FAN HQ. This new model will drive deeper engagement with FAN members and stakeholders, enabling us to enhance our collaborative ecosystem and deliver more growth opportunities. We look forward to sharing further details with our members, sponsors and stakeholders in early 2021. In the meantime, if you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us

Food & Beverage Manufacturing Hub Ideation Workshop

FAN recently hosted an Ideation Workshop to shape an initial conversation on what a Food & Beverage Manufacturing Hub could look like and mean for our region. It was exciting to think big and explore ideas about how we can support start-ups and accelerate growth through sharing physical infrastructure and services. Thanks to Sunshine Coast Council and RDA Sunshine Coast for their support of the workshop, and to Mill Street Kitchen for showcasing so many of our members on the delicious menu. We look forward to providing further updates and expanding the conversation about this project in early 2021. 

Manufacturing Modernisation Fund - guidelines announced

Manufacturing Modernisation Fund guidelines have been released, with dates to follow in the coming weeks. Funding starts at $100,000 for eligible projects of $400,000 or more, up to June 2023. Further information, including a sample application form, are available for download here or contact FAN’s Grant Writing Partner Jen Lawson.To implement the strategy, road maps will be developed to set the direction for each priority area over the next 10 years. Consultation is being sought to identify the strengths and opportunities for scaling manufacturing in Australia. Your feedback will help to develop these road maps for each priority area, setting the strategic direction over the next ten years. Have your say HERE.

Feedback, input and tips welcome!

Got suggestions, input, tips on what you’d like in FANMail – email us.

 

Member Resources

FAN Member News

Congrats to Hum Honey

Congratulations to Leisa Sams from Hum Honey who has been awarded a prestigious Nuffield Australia scholarship. Leisa, supported by Woolworths, will investigate advanced management methods for stationary beekeeping operations that improve efficiencies, yield, and facilitate the production of high-quality honey and products within a quality assurance framework. FAN was delighted to support Leisa in her application for the scholarship. READ MORE HERE

2020 a recap

New store openings, new factory openings, new product launches, tasty collabs, awards success, feature profiles – these are just some of the great achievements of our members over the past year – all despite the impacts of COVID. We’ve compiled this short recap celebrating our members’ successes. VIEW HERE. Have we missed something? Let us know and we’ll add it in. 

National retail awards

A big congrats to Roz and Michael White – and the team at White’s IGA on taking out two National Awards for Retail Excellence. A huge testament to the team’s passion, dedication and commitment to supporting local. Roz and Michael are also huge supporters of their team and are deservedly very proud of these awards. 

BOS Rural on Landline

Tim and Amber from BOS RURAL Supplies and Kandanga Farm Store recently spent the day with ABC Landline filming an upcoming episode showcasing their circular economy and how they’re supporting their community. The crew also spent time filming around the Mary Valley, stay tuned for the date it’ll be airing.

Better Business Tips with Bentleys

Business planning tips to improve cash flow

 

With stimulus measures set to be wound back into the New Year, the true financial ramifications of the pandemic aren’t expected to be felt until midway through 2021.  Now, as you start planning for the new year ahead, you can prepare your business for these anticipated changes.  Here are three business planning tips to improve your cash flow heading into 2021.  Need help creating an effective business or business continuity plan? We offer 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

Buderim Ginger

Did you know that Buderim Ginger and The Ginger Factory is Australia’s oldest ginger processing and agritourism business? Part of the fabric of the Sunshine Coast, it’s been a significant year with the Himstedt Family buying the ginger and tourism business and re-locating Buderim Ginger’s Head Office from Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast. The Ginger Factory has bounced back from COVID, welcoming visitors again and launching a major new attraction, the Gruffalo. FAN would like to thank Buderim Ginger and The Ginger Factory for all their support of FAN, including providing office space for the team over the past 12 months.

Our Sponsors

Special thanks to FAN’s Major Sponsors and Partners that provide significant resources towards the ongoing sustainability of FAN and the growth of our regions’ food and agribusiness industry.

AQ-QG
MoretonBay
EPIC
FIAL
Fishbowl
Gourmet-Garden
HOT91
KBI
NewEra
NoosaCouncil
RDASunshineCoast
SRJWW
SuccessfulGrants
Sunshine-Coast-Council
USC

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