A total of 11 Brisbane-based food and beverage businesses are set to take part in Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s (BEDA) 2024 Future Food Global Accelerator program.
This year’s edition of the program will feature new products and other developments in the food and beverage scene.
This year’s cohort is comprised of:
- FigJam & Co (the company’s Abbey and Jason Davidson are pictured, left and right, alongside Councillor Fiona Cunningham, second left, and Councillor Krista Adams, second right) – 100 per cent Indigenous-owned and operated, it integrates native bush food ingredients from First Nations-owned and operated properties and social enterprises into a catering offering for corporate events and manufactured condiments.
- FutureFeed – Established by CSIRO, it has been leading the way in the commercialisation of Asparagopsis (seaweed) technology as a livestock feed ingredient to lower ruminant methane emissions.
- Gourmet Taste Creations – Creator of artisan condiments, specialising in dry mixes such as dip mixes, spice blends, meat rubs, dukkahs, dressing mixes and soup mixes.
- Hilton Foods – A protein processor and food solutions business that creates innovative new products and tech in the food sector.
- Lilly’s Little Lunchbox – Prepares a diverse array of fresh and nutritious pre-made meals specifically designed for children to support busy parents that can be also enjoyed by adults, the elderly, and NDIS recipients.
- Little White Goat Cheese – A grazier of goats and producer of goat, buffalo and camel feta and cheeses, including creating a world-first freeze-dried goat feta with an ambient shelf life of 18 months.
- New Farm Confectionary – A gourmet confectionery company that specialises in handcrafting artisanal sweets.
- OMG! Decadent Donuts – Baker of delicious hot fresh donuts which can be enjoyed by people with dietary requirements, food intolerances or food allergies.
- Reclaim Foods – Upcycles surplus food into new, more valuable food products, such as nutrient-rich meals or snack alternatives.
- Ugly Duck Fine Foods – Sources ugly, imperfect fruit and vegetables and transforms them into condiments such as fruit spreads, chutneys, relishes and fruit pastes.
- Yaala Sparkling – A female-led, Indigenous-owned, beverage company that produces beverages that incorporate flavours from Indigenous and native Australian plants.
Participating businesses will take part in an eight-week global readiness program commencing in February and facilitated by industry-leading experts and Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the program caters to businesses at the cutting edge of food and beverage innovation.
“Brisbane’s food and beverage businesses continue to put world-class products on shelves, achieving the success to create jobs and drive our city’s economic growth,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said. “Brisbane’s proximity to international markets, advanced manufacturing and logistical capabilities, and network of national and global brands based locally continues to create incredible opportunities for local food and beverage businesses to grow and thrive. Through support programs like the Future Food Global Accelerator, we can make sure our local businesses have the right support to fast-track opportunities for global success.”
The Global Accelerator seeks to help companies pursue funding and distribution partners to expand their operations and explore new markets. Since 2018, BEDA’s Future Food Initiative has supported more than 400 businesses, with JBS Foods Australia, Merlo and Priestley’s Gourmet Delights among past participants.
