BOWEN’S food future is looking bright after funding through the Regional Economic Futures Fund was secured.
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) has announced the securing of funds through the Queensland Government 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,” she said.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins has thrown his full support behind the project.
“We know our region’s fresh produce sector is world class,” he said.
“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.”
BGGA president Carl Walker said the region’s growers welcomed this innovative project, which 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,” he said.
“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.”
About BGGA and the local horticulture industry
Bowen Gumlu Growers Association (BGGA) is a not-for-profit industry association that represents the interests of our members, horticultural growers, producers and associated agribusinesses, in North Queensland.
BGGA’s key activities include member services, advocacy, industry development and the delivery of projects focused on improving on-farm practices, commercial outcomes for farming businesses, and the prosperity of our regional community.
The region is the largest producer of winter vegetable crops in Australia, generating farm gate production worth approximately $650m per annum.
Key commodities produced include tomato, capsicum, mangoes, cucurbits, beans and corn.
Our growers employ approximately 1,500 workers throughout the year, with an additional 2,000 during the harvest season.
One in every five workers living in the region are supported by the sector.
Our product feeds the nation and is exported to more than a dozen countries.
