Emma McBride (Dobell, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Mental Health) Share this | Hansard source

The Central Coast is traditionally a food-growing area and our Hinterland remains a productive farming region. The Central Coast Food Alliance was recently launched to grow our reputation as a food bowl, bringing together industry and research food manufacturers. It is one of only four clusters across Australia to be funded through Food Innovation Australia Limited, an industry-led not-for-profit that is focused on growing a share of Australian food in the global marketplace by sharing knowledge, building capacity and creating connections. The Central Coast Food Alliance brings emerging food manufacturers together with established manufacturers like Mars Food and Sanitarium to network, share best practice and make a big impact on out-of-area markets. Congratulations to Central Coast Industry Connect, RDA Central Coast, Ourimbah Campus of the University of Newcastle, Mars and Sanitarium for launching the alliance. The Central Coast Food Alliance general manager, Dan Farmer, said the alliance is about creating jobs in our region. Michelle Amor and Tracey Rochford of Spiralz Fermented Foods, Tuggerah, are already benefiting. Spiralz was one of six businesses chosen from 224 nationally to be recipients of the Mars SEEDS of CHANGE Accelerator Program. The program is designed to help early-stage food focussed businesses build a healthier and more sustainable future by fast-tracking their growth as they shape the meals of tomorrow. Thank you to Dan Farmer and Frank Sammut, the executive officer of Central Coast Industry Connect, for joining me at Spiralz. I'm expecting big things from the Central Coast Food Alliance. Congratulations to all involved.

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