Meet the Makers 2022

Meet the Makers 2022

SEQ’s best food and beverage products and produce take centre stage at the 2022 Meet the Makers showcase

With a reputation based on quality and innovation, Queensland’s food and agribusiness
industry continues to go from strength to strength. With one-third of Australia’s primary
produce coming out of Queensland, this sector now contributes more than $18.8 billion to
the state economy.

Working closely with growers, producers and manufacturers, from all over South-East
Queensland, the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) is once again bringing many of them
together for the annual “Meet the Makers” event.

Now in its fourth year, this must-attend food and beverage trade event continues to grow in
terms of size, diversity and reputation and will be held on Tuesday 3 rd May where over 100
exhibitors from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond will
showcase fresh produce and food and beverage products to buyers and industry.

FAN CEO Emma Greenhatch said the region’s only dedicated food and beverage trade
event would create valuable commercial connections and opportunities for its members and
the wider food and beverage industry.

“The start of this year hasn’t gone as anyone had planned…. so now more than ever it’s time
for us to celebrate our regions’ amazing growers and makers.”

“Meet the Makers 2022 is a wonderful opportunity to showcase, to a wide group of industry
buyers and supporters, the amazing array and diversity of products and produce made or
grown in South-East Queensland,” Ms Greenhatch said.

Joining the event as an Official Ambassador is a passionate supporter of local producers,
Roz White from White’s IGA. White’s IGA is a pioneer of the locavore movement and is a
strong advocate and supporter of the region’s local food and beverage industry.

“I am delighted to again be an Official Ambassador for Meet the Makers. It is a truly unique
event where our industry can connect with a wide range of producers and growers and
source innovative and new-to-market retail lines,” Ms White said.

“Working with a network of local suppliers has immense benefits for our business and
region. When we support local, we support our community, during both the good and
challenging times.

“During the recent weather events, we were able to call on our network of local suppliers to
ensure our shelves continued to be stocked with fresh and local essentials. We support our
local producers and they, in turn, support us – and as a result everyone benefits.”

Another supporter of Meet the Makers is one of Australia’s leading producers of premium
plant-based food products, Fënn Foods. Executive Chairman, Mr Nicholas Simms said,
“This event is important for food and drink producers and manufacturers from right across
the region as it creates an environment that fosters connection and collaboration.

“It also offers us an opportunity to showcase our growing range of healthy, delicious, all-
natural plant-based products directly to the foodservice industry, buyers and consumers.
This is especially important given that this is one of the fastest-growing food segments in the
world.”

Sunshine Coast Economic Development Councillor Jason O’Pray said Meet the Makers
event was a great opportunity to showcase the incredible food and beverage products made
right here on the Sunshine Coast.  

“The Sunshine Coast is rapidly becoming recognised as one of the most dynamic locations
for new food, beverage and agribusiness investment in Australia. This is great news for the
region’s economy and also for the long-term prosperity of food businesses,” Cr O’Pray said.
“In 2020, our local food and agribusiness industry was valued at *$700 million, with more
than 900 businesses located in our region.

“This event provides the perfect platform for our incredible food industry to get in front of
local, regional and national buyers. These introductions could be game changing for some of
our producers,” Cr O’Pray said.

Meet the Makers aligns with the strategies of FAN, and other regional stakeholders including
the Sunshine Coast Council, Trade and Investment Queensland and Moreton Bay Regional
Council to make the region the Australian epicentre for scaling food and beverage
manufacturing businesses through an ecosystem that drives collaboration and innovation.

FAN recently led a successful submission to secure funding for the development of Turbine,
Australia’s first purpose-built, end-to-end collaborative food and beverage manufacturing,
education and R&D precinct, that will be located on the Sunshine Coast.

Turbine is set to become Australia’s leading industry-based food and beverage research,
education and commercialisation facility with the precinct expected to gain national and
international recognition as a blueprint for collaborative manufacturing thanks to funding of
up to $33.4 million from the Federal Government. The precinct is set to be operational late
2023.

Meet the Makers 2022 – is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Department of
Small Business, Employment and Training, Trade and Investment Queensland, Moreton Bay
Regional Council, Noosa Council MGA Independent Retailers, Whites IGA, Detpak, Ecolean
and Focus Insights.

FOR BUYERS


2.00pm – 5.30pm Buyer Session, welcomes:

Food & beverage retailers / distributors / wholesalers & procurement / restaurants / cafes /caterers / tourism operators /accommodation providers / event companies are invited to learn about the latest food and beverage products made in our regions.

Register here and use promo code BUYER when booking.

FOR SUPPORTERS


5.30pm – 7.30pm Networking Session, welcomes:

FAN members and partners, industry supporters, media and passionate foodies – come join
us at this Networking Session and celebrate our regions’ growers and makers.

Full details here 

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