Research resources
We are collecting information resources from leading entities, in Australia and globally. We hope that you find this curated content useful.
| Resource | Description | Type | Category | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circular Food Futures: What Will They Look Like? | This original paper from consultant town planner and author of Rethinking the City, Steven Liaros explores how circular economy (CE) debates might contribute to, and support, the changes needed for a sustainable future. | Paper | Sustainable development | https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs43615-021-00082-5 |
| What is blockchain? | A two-minute introduction to distributed ledger technology. | Video | Path to market | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WG7D47tGb0 |
| FOOD COLD CHAIN OPTIMISATION: Improving energy productivity using real time food condition monitoring through the chain | Compiled by the AAEP, with funding from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, this 2017 report investigates factors that must be taken into account in any effort to improve cold-chain management in Australia, and explores the deployment of sensor technology, data monitoring and IoT to provide better identification of temperature control issues along the supply chain from packing room to retail shelf – particularly for temperature-sensitive, perishable and high-value goods. Issues of shelf life, spoilage and safety are key concerns. Potential savings are significant. Technology will enable end-to-end traceability and eventually, tools like disposable sensors embedded in product packaging yielding real-time end-to-end temperature readings. | Report | Freight and logistics, Next gen facilities, Path to market | https://www.airah.org.au/Content_Files/Industryresearch/05-17-A2EP_Cold_Chain_Report.pdf |
| ANFAB Strategic Plan 2019-2022 | Australian Native Food and Botanicals (ANFAB), previously operating as ANFIL - Australia Native Food Industry Limited, is the peak national body representing the interests of this rapidly growing sector. ANFAB worked with industry, federal and state governments, and other organisations to determine and prioritise the R&D and market development strategies required to progress the industry, as detailed in this document. The vision? To transform Australia’s native foods and botanicals sector into a globally successful national industry that is culturally inclusive, sustainable, ethical, agile and profitable. | Publication | Food systems, Precision nutrition, Sustainable development | https://anfab.org.au/edit/documents/ANFAB%20Strategic%20Plan%202019-2022%20web.pdf |
| Pivot: Diversifying Australia's Trade and Investment Profile | In recent decades, Australia’s exports have been driven by growth in demand from East Asia, particularly China, which has contributed significantly to our national prosperity. However, concentration of Australia’s export markets may reduce our economic resilience and could expose us to political and security risks. While Australia has capitalised on its natural advantages to grow its exports, particularly in the resources and agricultural sectors, a low level of economic diversity in Australia’s exports may create longer-term challenges for economic growth. This report explores export diversity and makes recommendations to government as to how this can be encouraged. | Report | Freight and logistics, Path to market | https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/committees/reportjnt/024519/toc_pdf/Pivot.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf |
| How to Transform Food Systems: 7 Calls to Action | This document was initially prepared by the Global Alliance for the Future of Food ‘to stimulate an understanding of critical issues related to food systems reform, inform individual member foundations, and guide Global Alliance collective action’. The Alliance has made it publicly available to inspire discussion about sustainable food systems reform. | Publication | Food systems, Sustainable development | https://futureoffood.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GA_C2A_JUN2021.pdf |
| Towards a Common Understanding of Sustainable Food Systems: Key approaches, concepts and terms | This report published by a task group of the SFS Programme including the Swiss Government, CIHEAM, FAO, IFOAM - Organics, INRAE, Nestlé, UNEP, UN Nutrition and USDA, aims to ‘promote a common understanding of key approaches, concepts and terms related to sustainable food systems among a broad range of stakeholders, globally, as a ‘foundation for joint problem-solving’. | Website | Food systems, Sustainable development | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sustainable-food-systems/towards-common-understanding-sustainable-food-systems-key-approaches |
| Sustainable Food Systems (SFS) Programme | The SFS Programme is a multi-stakeholder partnership focused on catalysing more sustainable patterns of food consumption and production. Its partners collaborate on initiatives ranging from normative, advocacy and policy support activities to research and development projects and implementation activities that address our food systems challenges. | Website | Food systems, Sustainable development | https://www.oneplanetnetwork.org/sustainable-food-system |
| Food Trends of the Future | In 20 years, will we swap beef for crickets, 3-D print food or grow leafy greens on vertical farms in our cities? And what will changes in our diet mean for Australia’s agrifood sector? CSIRO’s Kate Langford looks at the trends and reports on key trends in food production and consumer dietary preferences. | Article | Food systems, Precision nutrition | https://ecos.csiro.au/food-trends-of-the-future/ |
| Smart glass impacts stomatal sensitivity of greenhouse Capsicum through altered light | This papers compares the stomatal responses of Capsicum plants grown hydroponically under control glass (70% diffuse light) or the smart glass (SG) film ULR-80, which blocked >50% of short-wave radiation and ~9% of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). | Paper | Next gen facilities, Sustainable development | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Zhao-et-al-2021-JXB-smart-glass-stomatal-sensitivity.pdf |
| Light‑altering cover materials and sustainable greenhouse production of vegetables: a review | This paper reviews the studies on advanced greenhouse cover materials with variable light transmittance, the effects of which on leaf photosynthesis, physiology, and yield. It also provides insights into the potential key biological processes of crops responding to these light changes, specifically light receptors, signal transduction, nutrient biosynthesis pathways during fruit development and ripening. | Paper | Next gen facilities, Sustainable development | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/He-et-al-2021_Article_Light-alteringCoverMaterialsAn.pdf |
| Australian native rice commercialisation | Although currently not commercially available, Australian native rice has potential as a high-nutrient, culturally identified food. | Website | Future crops, Path to market, Sustainable development | https://www.cdu.edu.au/riel/research/australian-native-rice-commercialisation |
| Food Trends of the Future | In 20 years, will we swap beef for crickets, 3-D print food or grow leafy greens on vertical farms in our cities? And what will changes in our diet mean for Australia’s agrifood sector? CSIRO’s Kate Langford looks at the trends and reports on key trends in food production and consumer dietary preferences. | Article | Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://ecos.csiro.au/food-trends-of-the-future/ |
| Intensive Berry Production Using Greenhouses, Substrates and Hydroponics: Is this the way forward? | PCA’s Nicky Mann, 2014 Nuffield Farming Scholar, used her bursary to study indoor berry production across the world. She came back with numerous insights and suggestions for targeted R&D. | Publication | Future crops, Sustainable development | https://nickymannnuffield2014.files.wordpress.com/2016/01/berries-nicky-mann-soilless-australia-vol-4-2015-summer-edition.pdf |
| ‘Protected cropping’: NSW DPI research reports/information | Outlines the findings of NSW Government Department of Primary Industry (DPI) research into protected-cropping, covering everything from optimal irrigation regimes in hydroponic crops to implementing integrated pest and disease management in greenhouses. | Report | Sustainable development | https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/horticulture/greenhouse |
| Sustaining Australia: Food and Grocery Manufacturing 2030 | This report was compiled by the leading industry body for Australia’s food and grocery manufacturing sector, with economic analysis from Warren Hogan of EQ Economics. The report provides in-depth analysis of the sector, identifying opportunities and vulnerabilities. It outlines the investment and policy decisions required to ensure the sector thrives, at home and in export markets. The report includes recommendations on long-term industry strategy, investment incentives, workforce skills, regulatory reform, digital labelling, retailer-supplier relationships and export growth strategy. | Report | Advanced food manufacturing, Sustainable development | https://www.afgc.org.au/industry-resources/sustaining-australia-food-and-grocery-manufacturing-2030 |
| Plant-based and cell-cultured proteins: research and grant funding opportunities database | Global non-profit group the Good Food Institute’s research grants and database gives interested parties access to the latest research in plant-based and cell-cultured alternative proteins, and to an array of research grant funding opportunities. | Website | Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://gfi.org/researchgrants |
| GFI 2020 Annual Report | GFI’s latest annual report looks at achievements and milestones in the plant-based foods space from across the globe over 2020. The UK-based Good Food Institute (GFI) engages companies across the supply chain, from start-ups to conventional meat firms, food businesses, major restaurant chains and retailers, as well as scientists, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs. | Report | Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://gfi.org/resource/year-in-review-2020/?utm_source=PBI&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2020-Year-In-Review |
| Food for the Future: Showcasing Collaboration | A report from the UK’s National Centre for Universities and Business (NCUB) highlighting university and business partnerships formed to help Britain acquire the capability to produce enough nutritious food, sustainably, to feed future generations. | Report | Food systems, Sustainable development | https://www.ncub.co.uk/index.php?option=com_docman&view=download&alias=514-food-for-the-future-report&category_slug=reports&Itemid=2728 |
| Namoi Investment Prospectus: North West New South Wales | Agricultural investment opportunities in the Namoi, NSW’s Northern Inland region, abound, thanks to the reliable volume of premium-quality agricultural output available. This provides the scale and continuity of throughput needed to support further processing and value-adding activity. This, in turn, ensures that a larger proportion of economic growth from agriculture can be retained in the region. | Report | Industry precincts, Path to market | https://www.rdani.org.au/files/pages/projects/current/namoi-investment-prospectus/RDA-investment-prospectus-updated-web-version220517.pdf |
| 2020 State of the Industry: Australia’s Plant-Based Meat Sector | This report covers the story of Australia’s plant-based meat sector over the 2020 Financial Year. | Report | Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.foodfrontier.org/wp-content/uploads/dlm_uploads/2021/03/Food-Frontier-2020-State-of-the-Industry-1.pdf#gf_2 |
| Protected Cropping Toolkit | A series of practical, informational videos from Protected Cropping Australia, the main industry body for Australia’s protected cropping operators, large and small. Topics covered include: Layout & Planning, Greenhouse Set-Up, Irrigation, Nutrient Management, Cleaning and Sanitation and Pests & Diseases. | Video | Automation, Next gen facilities, Sustainable development | https://protectedcropping.net.au/protected-cropping-toolkit/ |
| Reports, publications and fact sheets | An array of useful information for growers from the peak industry body for Australia’s horticulture sector, an estimated 30 per cent of which consists of low-, medium- and high-tech commercial protected-cropping operations that range from major growers to boutique operations located across all states and territories. PC operators grow a broad variety of fruits and vegetables including blueberries, strawberries, rubus (raspberries, blackberries), tomatoes, melons, cucumbers, capsicum, salad (including Asian) greens, herbs, chillies, eggplant and more. | Publication | Food systems, Next gen facilities, Path to market, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.horticulture.com.au/growers/help-your-business-grow/research-reports-publications-fact-sheets-and-more/ |
| Australian Horticulture Statistics Handbook 2019/20 | Information on the four subsectors listed above are available to download free of charge as four separate pdf documents. | Publication | Freight and logistics, Future crops, Path to market, Product innovation | https://www.horticulture.com.au/growers/help-your-business-grow/research-reports-publications-fact-sheets-and-more/grower-resources/ha18002-assets/australian-horticulture-statistics-handbook/?__FormGuid=a2cd5e51-ecbe-4c53-ae51-a870fc5dfc75&__FormLanguage=en&__FormSubmissionId=d908e1b3-b47f-4ce8-8721-ed61872620d9 |
| Improvements of plant protein functionalities by Maillard conjugation and Maillard reaction products | This review covers recent advances in plant-derived protein modification using Maillard conjugation, including different pretreatments to modify the functionality and bioactivity of plant proteins and their potential uses in practice. An overview of different properties of conjugates and MRPs, including food safety aspects, is given. | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Precision nutrition, Product innovation | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2021.1910139 |
| Asia Alt 100: Asia’s top protein disruptors | Global non-profit and alternative proteins advocate GFI publishes this oft-updated interactive map of the alt-proteins landscape in Asia: major players, trending products, etc, hyperlinked for ease of contact. | Website | Advanced food manufacturing, Precision nutrition, Product innovation | https://www.gfi-apac.org/asia-alt-100/ |
| Policy brief: Connecting food systems for co-benefits: How can food systems combine diet-related health with environmental and economic policy goals? | This publication examines how food systems can combine diet-related health with environmental and economic policy goals. | Publication | Food systems | https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/387070/policy-brief-31-austria-eng.pdf |
| Digital Opportunities for Better Agricultural Policies, Chapter 2. Digital innovations and the growing importance of agricultural data | This chapter, part of OECD publication Digital Opportunities for Better Agricultural Policies, published September 2019, details recent advances in digital technologies and analyses key drivers of digitalisation in the agriculture sector. | Publication | Automation, Digital sensing and control, Next gen facilities, Quality control, Sustainable development, Water efficiency | https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/367ac383-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/367ac383-en |
| ABARES Insights: Australia’s place in Global Agriculture and Food Value Chains | This ABARES Insights 'snapshot' examines the position Australia occupies in global food and agriculture value chains. | Publication | Freight and logistics, Path to market | https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/abares/documents/AustraliaPlaceInGlobalAgriculture_v1.0.0.pdf |
| FMCG and retail value chains: The future of supply chain data | This report from the Australian Food and Grocery Council and KPMG looks at six key issues and challenges with regard to managing data in complex retail supply chains. Compiled pre-pandemic, it's equally apt today. | Publication | Freight and logistics, Integrated planning, Path to market | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/FMCG-and-Retail-Value-Report.pdf |
| AFGC State of the Industry Report 2019 | The Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) compiled this report using ABS statistics to give a snapshot of the industry and its key drivers. | Publication | Advanced food manufacturing, Path to market | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/AFGC-SOI-2019-FINAL-1.pdf |
| Chemical Engineering Impact in Australia (Volumes 1 and 2) | ICHEME has released two volumes of case studies detailing research from around Australia that demonstrates the positive impact of chemical engineering on health, safety and sustainability. | Publication | Green chemistry, Product innovation | https://www.icheme.org/about-us/icheme-worldwide/australia/chemical-engineering-impact-in-australia/ |
| National Hydrogen Roadmap: Pathways to an economically sustainable hydrogen industry in Australia | This CSIRO publication outlines the way forward for Australia’s clean hydrogen industry, and looks at our potential to develop an economically sustainable domestic and export hydrogen industry. | Publication | Green chemistry, Renewable energy, Sustainable development | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/18-00314_EN_NationalHydrogenRoadmap_ExecutiveSummary_WEB_180815.pdf |
| How many people can Australia feed? | Could Australia double the number of people it feeds by 2061? The Conversation says yes, provided we adopt three strategies: increase productivity, reduce food waste and eat more sustainably. | Article | Future crops, Sustainable development | https://theconversation.com/how-many-people-can-australia-feed-76460 |
| Rethinking Food and Agriculture 2020-2030: The Second Domestication of Plants and Animals, the Disruption of the Cow, and the Collapse of Industrial Livestock Farming | This report by independent US-based thinktank RethinkX looks at the disruption modern food-product, logistics and other technology will cause to future food products and systems. | Report | Advanced food manufacturing, Product innovation | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/RethinkXFoodandAgricultureReport.pdf |
| Food, Planet, Health: Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems | The global adoption of healthy diets from sustainable food systems would safeguard our planet and improve the health of billions, argues the EAT-Lancet Commission in this compelling report. | Report | Future crops, Precision nutrition, Sustainable development, Water efficiency | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/EAT-Lancet_Commission_Summary_Report.pdf |
| ASEAN 2020 AgriFoodTech Investment Report | AgFunder's inaugural ASEAN agrifood-tech start-up investment report looks at the categories and investors driving this nascent industry across South-East Asia. | Report | Advanced food manufacturing, Industry precincts, Path to market, Precision nutrition, Product innovation | https://agfunder.com/research/asean-2020-agrifoodtech-investment-report |
| AgriFoodTech 2020 Mid-Year Investment Review | AgFunder's mid-year review of agrifood-tech investment in 2020 takes the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic into account. | Report | Advanced food manufacturing, Next gen facilities, Precision nutrition, Product innovation | https://agfunder.com/research/agrifoodtech-2020-midyear-investment-review/ |
| Food and Agribusiness Sector Competitiveness Plan (SCP), 2020 | FIAL's SCP roadmap details the inputs and outputs needed to achieve its vision for Australia's food and agribusiness sector. | Report | Industry precincts, Integrated planning, Path to market, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/file/qx576aa074c29082145fbbb013d4ca0cbd906 |
| The Changing Landscape of Protein Production: Opportunities and challenges for Australian agriculture | The expanding plant-based protein industry could unlock opportunities for Australian agrifood producers, contends this February 2020 report. | Publication | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/20-001.pdf |
| Hungry for Plant-Based: Australian Consumer Insights | This 2019 consumer survey examines the factors driving an expected rise in demand for plant-based foods and alternative proteins across Australia in coming years. | Publication | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.foodfrontier.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Hungry-For-Plant-Based-Australian-Consumer-Insights-Oct-2019.pdf |
| ‘Alternative Proteins: The Race for Market Share Is On.’ | In this recent report, McKinsey & Co. survey future opportunities and likely market share for the array of alternative proteins on the market and in development. | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Path to market, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/agriculture/our-insights/alternative-proteins-the-race-for-market-share-is-on |
| Plant-Based Meat Mind Maps: An Exploration of Options, Ideas and Industry | An array of new products formulated to mimic beef, chicken and pork, use plant protein – typically, extracts from soy or pea – as their base ingredients | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.gfi.org/files/PBMap.pdf |
| ‘I Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat.' | According to this 2019 Barclays report, alternative proteins could capture 10 per cent of the global meat market by 2030 and be worth a cool US$85 billion. | Survey | Advanced food manufacturing, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://eu16.salesforce.com/sfc/p/#1t000000wCuV/a/1t000000Xg33/q3Bm_z_oiIm8K7s4mnGLApU.WpmqvU6rEsBaiqGRob4 |
| Capturing the Prize: The A$200 billion opportunity in 2030 for the Australian food and agribusiness sector | This report from the Food and Agribusiness Growth Centre, FIAL, identifies 19 opportunities that could boost the value-addition capability of Australia's agrifood sector to $200b+ p.a. by 2030. | Report | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Next gen facilities, Precision nutrition, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/file/qx5769e1e310483ee4389b5d9f6cc55e768fe |
| Gut Microbiome: Best Practices | This discussion, part of North America’s NUTRITION 2020 conference, is focused on recent developments in our understanding of the human gut microbiome. | Webinar | Advanced food manufacturing, Precision nutrition, Product innovation | https://youtu.be/HwcCy3qJIMc?t=9 |
| Alternative proteins and the future of meat | In this short and pithy video, four experts from global marketing company McKinsey share their views and forecasts about the evolving meat and protein market. | Video | Advanced food manufacturing, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://youtu.be/gyDFrFOFLx4 |
| Could Alternative Proteins be a Solution to Fight Climate Change? | This lively panel discussion about actual and potential alternative sources of protein formed part of the EAT Stockholm Food Forum 2019. | Video | Advanced food manufacturing, Future crops, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://youtu.be/HVJQlbIsWNU |
| The Circular Economy – An explainer | This comprehensive report gives an overview of the circular economy concept, discussing recent research and developments in the circular-economy space and challenges to its implementation. | Report | Integrated planning, Renewable energy, Sustainable development, Water efficiency | https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/publications/research-papers/download/36-research-papers/13880-the-circular-economy-an-explainer |
| Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield | Light‐limited photosynthesis under energy‐saving film decreases eggplant yield | Paper | Future crops, Next gen facilities, Quality control, Water efficiency | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/action/doSearch?AllField=Light%E2%80%90limited+photosynthesis+under+energy%E2%80%90saving+film+decreases+eggplant+yield |
| Game-changing ‘nutritional fingerprinting’ research | Game-changing ‘nutritional fingerprinting’ research enables accurate early intervention to combat world’s costliest diseases | Paper | Precision nutrition | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/byte/game-changing-nutritional-fingerprinting-research-enables-accurate-early-intervention-to-combat-worlds-costliest-diseases/ |
| Identifying unknown metabolites using NMR-based metabolic profiling techniques | Identifying unknown metabolites using NMR-based metabolic profiling techniques | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Precision nutrition | https://www.nature.com/articles/s41596-020-0343-3 |
| Dietary metabotype modelling predicts individual responses to dietary interventions | Dietary metabotype modelling predicts individual responses to dietary interventions | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Precision nutrition | https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-020-0092-z |
| Maridulu Budyari Gumal : The Sphere | SPHERE: Working together for good health and wellbeing | Article | Future crops, Integrated planning, Precision nutrition, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/maridulu-budyari-gumal-sphere-bridging-the-health-care-gap-for-indigenous-australians/ |
| Michael E. Porter’s diamond model: how national industries get the edge globally | US academic and thought leader Michael E Porter's model explaining why particular industries in particular nations or localities become stars on the global stage. | Article | Advanced food manufacturing, Industry precincts, Integrated planning, Path to market, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://www.futurefoodsystems.com.au/michael-porters-diamond-model-how-national-industries-get-the-edge-globally/ |
| Food and Agribusiness: A Roadmap for unlocking value-adding growth opportunities for Australia | CSIRO's roadmap, detailing the way forward for Australia's food and agribusiness sector if it is to realise its full potential and identifying five key 'growth enablers'. | Report | Path to market, Product innovation | https://www.csiro.au/en/Do-business/Futures/Reports/Ag-and-Food/Food-and-Agribusiness-Roadmap |
| Size of the Prize: An Overview of 16 Opportunities for Australian Food & Agribusinesses | FIAL's Overview of 16 Opportunities for Australian Food & Agribusinesses | Report | Future crops, Industry precincts, Integrated planning, Path to market, Precision nutrition, Product innovation, Sustainable development | https://workdrive.zohopublic.com.au/file/qx576efd5c081863f404dabcd888b8f5e8121 |