Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) is pleased to announce the securing of funds through the Regional Economics Future Fund for the Bowen Food Futures Precinct.
The $2.1 million project is one of three announced for the Greater Whitsunday region focused on economic development, jobs and a renewable future.
The Bowen Food Futures Precinct project will be delivered in two stages, beginning with a detailed business case and feasibility study, which will then inform the construction of a pilot plant.
The pilot plant will offer the opportunity to investigate and deploy technologies for the development of food products and provide a working facility for growers, entrepreneurs and food innovators to test their ideas.
BGGA CEO, Jenn Honnery, said a significant amount of research into product development had been carried out by the organisation over the past three years, indicating the opportunities present in value-added products generated from reject fruit and vegetables in the region’s horticulture sector.
“BGGA is excited to lead the way forward in utilising produce that would traditionally be considered waste, and to offer growers the opportunity to diversify and value add for greater economic outcomes.”
Mayor of the Whitsunday Regional Council, Ry Collins, has thrown his full support behind the project.
“We know our region’s fresh produce sector is world class. The industry is not only a significant contributor to our Whitsunday economy but is important in providing safe and healthy food to dinner tables around the country.”
“Food processing and value adding is the next big opportunity for our region’s growers, this project builds on years of research to take the next step in diversifying the sector and realise new opportunities for our food products in the future”.
President of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Carl Walker, said the region’s growers welcome this innovative project that brings Bowen up to speed with many other food producing regions.
“We all know our growers have been doing it tough with increased costs of production and challenging market prices. The Bowen Food Futures Precinct will provide an avenue for those growers looking to differentiate and expand their businesses and offer a real solution to gaining a return on produce that would normally be thrown away”.
CEO of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Jenn Honnery at a recent event. Photo sourced: Facebook
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