From the CEO
On April 7, the NSW Government, the Namoi Joint Organisation of Councils (JO) and the CRC announced that the Namoi region would become the state’s fourth Regional Jobs Precinct. The CRC has been working with the JO for the past six months to develop a super-cluster initiative in this highly productive agricultural region. The precinct funding covers strategic planning solutions for sustainable manufacturing precincts and is a central element in achieving the JO’s vision to establish the region as a high-tech hub for production of value-added products.
In other news, we’re pleased to report promising initial results from both Sanitarium and EcoMag research projects and the commencement of a new project under the CRC’s indoor cropping innovation program. This project will see crop scientists at the experimental greenhouse facility on Western Sydney University’s Hawkesbury campus working with Hort Innovation, Rjik Zwaan and LLEAF to trial two prototype ‘smart glass’ products.
In partner news, Regional Development Australia ACT, with the support of the CRC, is gearing up for its second Food in the Capital event and ramping up its efforts to reposition Canberra and surrounds as a thriving, sustainable agrifood cluster. Charles Darwin University has announced a new Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub for Northern Australia. Western Sydney University has been ranked among the top 20 of a 1,200-plus-strong field for its success in advancing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. And Sanitarium – which turns 123 years old this week – has launched a nutritious new Weet-Bix variety.
Several new students have joined CRC projects this month. We encourage our partners to contact Education Program Director Brian Sindel to discuss opportunities to leverage our PhD program.
David Eyre
CEO, Future Food Systems
Project news
Smart Glass and LLEAF film: trialling novel spectra-shifting tech to boost energy-efficiency, crop growth and yield under cover
A new CRC project is comparing the performance of energy-saving Smart Glass and light-shifting LLEAF-Red films with that of conventional glass in greenhouse lettuce production. The year-long project is being undertaken by crop scientists at Western Sydney University in collaboration with Horticulture Innovation Australia and industry partners LLEAF Pty Ltd and Rjik Zwaan. Read more
UNSW spray-dryer makes perfectly dry, high-purity Mg citrate
Chemical engineers at UNSW have successfully produced 99.8% pure magnesium citrate for industry project partner EcoMag using the UNSW School of Chemical Engineering’s state-of-the-art spray-dryer. It’s a first step towards EcoMag’s goal of scaling up to commercial production of high-value Mg compounds using the new process. Read more
Report explores potential for Australian agrifood hubs
As part of its industry capability program, the CRC produces publications. The first of these is now available on our web portal. Written to inform those planning agrifood clusters under Research Program 1, ‘Australian Agrifood Hubs’ looks at pros and cons of industry clusters and at successful agrifood cluster initiatives in the Netherlands and across Australia. Read more
InProfile
UNSW Sydney professor explores a new food frontier: cell-cultured animal protein
Professor Johannes le Coutre is researching cell-cultured protein at UNSW’s School of Chemical Engineering. “We’re [exploring] the mechanisms to grow and scale this industry. What we’re working on is not only scientifically and commercially exciting but ethically exciting… because it’s going to change our relationship with food.” Read more
Grants
MMI funds for renewables and recycling manufacturers
Dollar-matched government funding is available through the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) to Australia-based manufacturers with clean energy and recycling-related projects, but act fast: you have until COB on 5 May to submit your application. Read more
Partner news
NSW Government announces new Regional Jobs Precinct in the Namoi
It’s official: NSW Minister for Better Regulation and Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has announced that the Namoi region will be the state’s fourth Regional Jobs Precinct. The CRC will work with the Namoi Joint Organisation, NSW Government, UNSW and UNE to help plan the new precinct. Read more
RDA ACT says Australia’s capital is ideally positioned to become a sustainable food hub
Regional Development Australia ACT’s CEO Michael Claessens thinks Canberra and its surroundings have all it takes to become a nation-leading example of sustainable, low-emissions, self-sufficient urban agriculture by 2030, provided the support is there for local agrifood producers. Read more
WSU ranks in top 1.5% of universities globally for social, ecological and economic impact
Western Sydney University has cemented its reputation as one of the world’s top universities following the release of the latest Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings. Read more
FIAL calls for traceability SMEs to join it at foodpro 2021
The Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, FIAL, invites SME and micro businesses with supply-chain-integrity-related products or services to submit EOIs with a view to participating in the Traceability and Provenance Zone at foodpro in July. Apply by 27 May. Read more
Sanitarium launches Weet-Bix for tots
Australian health-food brand Sanitarium Health Food Company took two years to develop the new Weet-bix™ Little Kids Essentials product, tailored for kids aged between one and five years. Read more
UNSW scientists see potential to improve plant proteins via Maillard reaction and conjugation
Researchers within UNSW Sydney’s School of Chemical Engineering published a literature review in Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition this month. Their review showed that Maillard reactions and conjugation products could, potentially, be deliberately induced to alter key functional attributes of plant proteins, making them taste and feel more like their animal counterparts. Read more
CDU launches Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub for Northern Australia
A new Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub based in Darwin is set to transform the way that Top End producers and communities prepare for and respond to drought. Read more
News
Shrinking strawberries: can science solve the problem?
As warmer night temperatures shrink strawberry sizes across the globe, farmers are losing out – but scientists are working on potential solutions. Read more
5 ‘future forces’ that could disrupt our agrifood sector
A new report pinpoints five forces likely to impact Australia’s agriculture sector and agrifood supply chains in the coming decade, and details seven plausible 2031 scenarios as food for thought. Read more
An industry with legs: Australia’s first edible insects roadmap
Australia could become a major player in the $1.4b global edible insect industry, producing nutritious, sustainable proteins to bolster global food security, according to CSIRO and DFAT’s new roadmap. Read more
Events
Food in the Capital: Event 2
17-18 May, Canberra, ACT
With presentations and panel discussions, networking and technical tours, this RDA-run event is supported by Future Food Systems CRC and CRC partners. It will explore options and strategies for re-shaping the Canberra region into a resilient, sustainable agrifood precinct. CRC CEO David Eyre, FIAL’s Dr Barry McGookin and WSU’s Professor Priti Krishna are among the speakers. Read more
Sustainable Packaging & Design for SMEs
4 & 13 May, online
Two lunchtime webinars from AusIndustry’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme offer advice on sustainable packaging trends; actions businesses can take to ensure their products are packaged in eco-friendly ways; and designing with sustainability in mind. Read more
NutraIngredients’ Immunity webinar series
4-25 May, online
Experts in this rapidly expanding sector assess existing scientific evidence, scope for new product development, opportunities for clinical research, and marketing and regulatory challenges across regions including APAC in this 10-episode online series. Read more
Norco-Primex Sustainable Farming Expo
20-22 May, Casino NSW
This year, the Northern Rivers region’s long-running field days event has repositioned itself as a farmer-consumer interface showcasing the sustainable options transforming 21st-century primary production. Expect 400+ exhibitors and 1,400 suppliers. Read more