Future Food Systems (FFS) CEO Dr James Krahe has announced the inclusion of agrifood industry Cluster the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) as a core collaborating participant in the CRC. The partnership is set to accelerate the Sunshine Coast-based cluster’s activities and progress towards key milestones, enabling FAN to leverage Future Food Systems’ nationwide connections to research, industry and government. The collaboration is expected to benefit the agrifood sector, not just in Queensland but across Australia.
“Having FAN on board will open doors to collaboration and networking with other clusters, as well as with industry
and research, including the potential for a number of projects with our research partner, Queensland University of Technology (QUT),” Dr Krahe said.
“At FFS, we are all about working together to address issues and overcome challenges to advance the future of food, in Australia and abroad. FAN’s values and vision align closely with those of FFS, where industry, research, government, and education and training providers work together to drive innovation and unlock growth.”
FAN was established in 2015 to grow the region’s agrifood sector by creating an ecosystem that supports collaboration, accelerates innovation and drives trade, locally and globally. Currently, FAN has more than 370 members from across the food value chain, located in and around Gympie, Noosa, the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and beyond, and is recognised nationally and internationally as an exemplar agrifood hub. As industry leaders, FAN played a pivotal role in a collaborative stakeholder push that resulted in $33-plus million in federal government funding being allocated through the Modern Manufacturing Initiative to establish the Sunshine Coast-based Turbine Precinct, which aims to set a precedent for future Australian food and beverage manufacturing.
Through joining the FFS consortium, FAN hopes to build a regional agrifood cluster that enables businesses to
value-add effectively and sustainably via smart innovation and targeted R&D.
“This collaboration enables us to enhance our research capabilities within our membership, which is essential for
our growth as a leading Australian food cluster,” said FAN CEO Nicole McNaughton.
“Our organisation’s vision to grow our industry through collaboration greatly aligns with Future Food Systems’ mission to work in partnership with clusters to develop research pathways and foster innovation in our industry. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”
About Future Food Systems
Established in 2019, Future Food Systems is a federally funded Not-for-Profit organisation key to leading collaborations with Australian universities, the agrifood sector and other government bodies to deliver world-leading research that is rapidly translated into industry-ready innovations addressing the challenges of Australian food systems and future consumers.
For more information about the Future Food Systems, its participants and its research, visit the Future Food Systems website: or subscribe to its monthly eNews.
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