Townsville to host Food Innovation Forum
Date published: 22 February 2016
Food and its potential for innovation opportunities to grow regional economies will be in the spotlight at a forum in Townsville next week.
The Economic Development Australia Northern Queensland Food Innovation Forum on March 3 at The Brewery, will address food production as a key component of the North Queensland economy and outline the global growth of innovation in the food industry.
Townsville City Council, in partnership with the Australian Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, James Cook University (JCU), Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF), Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL), Sister City partners and Economic Development Australia will present the forum which will also include an art and food evening at Umbrella Studio, a masterclass breakfast at A Touch of Salt and workshops at the Brewery.
Minister Assisting the Premier on Northern Queensland Coralee O’Rourke will open the forum and join guest speakers from DAF, FIAL and JCU, North Queensland food businesses Commbeef, Sunrice, Backfatters, The Brewery, Natural Evolution and Agrihive, a local food network (Taste Paradise), a specialist Australian food marketing and technology transfer company (MacTavish West) and also John Wharton AM, interim chair of the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia.
MP Coralee O’Rourke said the Australian Government’s White Paper on Northern Australia provided opportunities for significant investment in North Queensland.
“We know we have the expertise to develop innovative agricultural production, food processing, logistics and marketing of north Queensland products,” Mrs O’Rourke said.
“That is why in discussions with the Australian Government we are putting forward a very strong argument for the Cooperative Research Centre to be in north Queensland.”
The forum will also feature proposals and insights from guest speakers from Japan, New Zealand and the United States.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the forum was designed to showcase innovative ideas and opportunities around food and to collaboratively establish the important next steps to bring more value-adding and jobs to Northern Queensland.
“Northern Australia is undergoing an economic transformation, with the region being the front line to thriving Asian markets. The agriculture and food industries of Northern Queensland will play a strategically important role in shaping the growth and sustainability of these economic opportunities,” Cr Hill said.
“It will change thinking about how innovation in agribusiness, food processing and products, consumer-driven marketing and food tourism can play a role in this major industry sector of the Queensland and the national economy and how we can make it happen.”
The forum also provides an opportunity for the food industry to contribute to the consultation process for the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Developing Northern Australia and other complementary collaborative opportunities.
Anyone involved in any part of food and agribusiness supply chains in northern Queensland who has an interest in increasing value adding in the north is encouraged to attend.
To register for the event and find out more about the program, speakers and activities, visit www.edaustralia.com.au/events/event/northern-queensland-food-innovation-forum
