Western Australian food and beverage industry stakeholders are invited to hear the latest market intelligence, trends, insights and innovations at the Future of Food Conference, Expo and Tour in Mandurah on 23 and 24 September 2021.
Hosted by the Southern Dirt grower group and the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), the conference will feature a range of experts and industry leaders.
The conference will be of interest to agrifood and beverage producers, processors, researchers, marketers, government, business groups and health professionals throughout the State.
A highlight will be a keynote address by Mike Lee from Alpha Food Labs in New York, who will appear via video link to explore how people shop for food and how that will change in the next 25 years.
Cambridge University professor Duncan McFarlane will also join the conference virtually from the United Kingdom to speak about strategies to improve business efficiency using automation technologies and digital manufacturing.
The day one conference program ranges from food technology, including value adding, packaging and processing and traceability and transparency, to food for health and medicine, to business strategy, and sustainable production.
Panel discussions will focus on food health trends, value adding growth opportunities, zero waste packaging and conscious consumption.
Day two is comprised of a series of business workshops supported by DPIRD and the Small Business Development Corporation, delivered by industry experts on investment strategy and planning.
A workshop on maximising value and brand design will also be delivered by Curtin University.
Alternatively, delegates can tour local agribusinesses, including the proposed site for the Peel Food Technology Facility where a workshop on design led innovation will be held, and visit Supa Fresh Farm, Millbrook Winery and Costa Mushrooms.
The Future of Food Expo will showcase products and services available in the food and beverage sector.
DPIRD Industry and Economic Development Deputy Director General Liam O’Connell said participants would benefit from the expertise, experiences and learnings of presenters, as well as the opportunity to network and build relationships.
“The Future of Food Conference and Expo will provide plenty of food for thought for delegates, which I am sure will help to inspire our agrifood and beverage enterprises to take their businesses to the next level,” he said.
“The agrifood industry is one of the State’s fastest growing sectors, with high value premium food and beverage processing comprising more than 10 per cent of the State’s total manufacturing sector.
“This exciting sector is continuing to grow, driven by increasing international demand on our doorstep from nearby Asia, a thriving agricultural technology sector growing alongside a bevy of innovative processing and manufacturing enterprises.”
The unique event complements the department’s existing suite of capability building initiatives, including workshops, professional expertise provided through the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program and investment support through the Value Add Investment Grants.
More information and to register to attend the Future of Food Conference, Expo and Tour is available here.
Caption: DPIRD Industry and Economic Development Deputy Director General Liam O’Connell encourages agribusinesses to learn the secrets to success at the Future of Food Conference, Expo and Tour in Mandurah later this month.
