MEDIA INFORMATION
THURSDAY 28 NOVEMBER
Plentiful bounty for local artisan food producers.
15 artisan food producers from the Greater Sunshine Coast, are among 50 Queensland producers to share in over $200,000 under the Queensland’s Government’s first round of the Small Business Artisan Producer Grants Program.
The 15 producers, who are all part of the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN), will receive up to $5,000 to help their businesses grow.
FAN General Manager Emma Greenhatch congratulated the businesses and said that FAN Members accounted for 30% of the recipients.
“The Greater Sunshine Coast is home to a diverse and fast-growing artisan food industry and the strong showing of grant recipients from our region is a testament to this,” said Ms Greenhatch.
“FAN has actively supported its members in this grant round, through the provision of a dedicated grant writer who has assisted a number of the successful members with their application.
“This is just one of the many services and membership benefits available to FAN members, as part of our vision to help local food producers build capacity to grow their business.”
Annabel Langley owner of Healthy Electropops, welcomed news of being awarded the grant.
“These grants are a tangible demonstration of support for local artisan food producers, which will allow us to further grow our business and expand into new markets,” said Ms Langley.
“We’re also extremely grateful for FAN’s support, it’s a great example of how they understand their member needs and then deliver services and programs to support us.”
Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said that while all the producers sell different products, they all have one thing in common – a desire to get more people tasting their treats.
“After launching the Supporting Artisan Producers plan at the Brisbane City Markets in early July, it’s fantastic to see 50 Queensland artisan producers were successful in securing funding,” Ms Fentiman said.
“Queensland is home to a fast-growing number of local producers, especially on the Sunshine Coast, with more than one in four successful recipients are Sunshine Coast businesses.
“The grants provide small business artisan producers assistance with help them grow their businesses, access new market opportunities and enhance their gourmet food expertise.”
MEDIA CONTACT
Nicole McNaughton
0433 603 575