From the CEO

The CRC’s first full year of operation has been quite an adventure. Rounding up, I’d like to thank the head office team, the research team and our industry and government partners for adapting so well to the circumstances, continuing to form projects, deliver research and find new ways to communicate.

A substantial portfolio was in formation when the pandemic hit. Despite the disruption, eight scoping projects have now been completed and a further 12 projects commenced with industry and government partners, some of these major ‘foundation’ projects. The Future Food Systems CRC 2019/2020 Annual Report provides an overview of project achievements, financials, the CRC inception process and highlights of the first half year of operation.

COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of the CRC’s industry development agenda. It’s clear that greater security and efficiency is needed in the global and domestic food system and that Australia needs to increase its manufacturing and supply-chain capability. In this regard, we expect the Commonwealth’s $1.3 billion Modern Manufacturing Initiative (see below) to present exciting opportunities for industry and government collaboration in 2021.

It was great that so many participants were able to attend the virtual Research Showcase event held earlier this month and we look forward to resuming face-to-face events.

Finally, on behalf of the team and Board, wishing you a safe holiday period and a Happy New Year.

David Eyre
CEO, Future Food Systems

$52.8m available under Australia’s Modern Manufacturing Fund

Round 2 of the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Fund has opened for applications, with $52.8 million in grant money available to Australian manufacturers providing essential goods and services including food and beverages, medicinal products, and recycling and clean-energy solutions. This funding round is aimed at SMEs looking to modernise their onshore operations and upskill workers. Read more

CRC Research Showcase

On 2 December 2020 the CRC hosted its first online Research Showcase, highlighting projects approved, in progress and completed under our three Research Programs (RPs) over the CRC’s first full year of operation. Each Program lead gave an overview of projects commenced under their respective research stream: agrifood clusters and smart trade (RP1); systems and solutions for high-tech protected cropping (RP2); and value-added goods and precision nutrition (RP3), before introducing project and industry leads to talk about specific projects under each stream. Excerpts from the online Showcase will be available via the CRC website in the new year. Read more

 

InProfile

Gal Winter: microbial ecology expert

University of New England ecologist Dr Gal Winter is fascinated by the microbes that colonise both people and the root zones of plants. She’s heading up a CRC project with leading truss tomato grower, Costa Group, that will help Costa determine the optimal application of probiotics to the root zones of its glasshouse-grown hydroponic tomatoes. Read more

 

Partner news

QUT-China collaboration produces novel material that could power better, faster, cheaper IoT systems

A new semi-conducting material developed by an Australia-China team at Queensland University of Technology will make smart devices used in IoT systems faster, more effective and less pricey. Read more

WSU relaunches Centre for Western Sydney

In response to the economic and social challenges impacting Sydney’s west, the region’s largest university has re-launched its Centre for Western Sydney, focused on addressing local challenges. Read more

Murdoch researchers find mutant peas could combat diabetes

Researchers at Murdoch University’s Australian National Phenome Centre have found that incorporating naturally ‘wrinkly’ peas into people’s diets reduces their risk of developing type-2 diabetes. Their findings open the door to valuable new markets for ingredients made from the wizened legumes. Read more

Peel Food and Beverage Capability Guide: final call for submissions

An initiative of Peel Development Commission and WA DPIRD, this online portal will promote food and beverage offerings unique to the region including fresh fruit and veg, animal and dairy produce and value-add products. Inclusion is free but you’ll need to submit your details by COB this Friday 18 December. Read more

 

Newsbytes

Pandemic-fuelled disruption drives global rethink of food supply chains

The pandemic has highlighted the need for shorter, more resilient supply chains and for diversified, fresh and locally grown food, says the Financial Times. Read more

Cell-cultured chicken nuggets: soon on the menu at Singaporean eateries

In a world-first, meat created from cultured live chicken cells by US-based company Eat Just has been SFA-approved for commercial production and sale in Singapore. Read more

Nestlé maps out its path to sustainability

Confectionery and dairy giant Nestlé, which has already made several steps towards greater sustainability, has now released a roadmap detailing substantive changes it will make worldwide to shrink the footprint of its food operations. Read more

 

Events

Probiota 2021

9-11 February 2021

A mix of live sessions and exclusive on-demand content, this NutraIngredients-hosted summit has a triple focus: Investment and opportunity (Day 1); Beyond the gut (Day 2); and Pre- and probiotics futures (Day 3). Read more