Working closely with growers, producers and manufacturers from all over South-East Queensland, the Food & Agribusiness Network (FAN) is once again bringing them together for its annual Meet the Makers event on 3 May.
Now in its fourth year, this food and beverage trade event continues to grow in terms of size, diversity and reputation. Over 100 exhibitors from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond will showcase fresh produce and food and beverage products to buyers and industry.
FAN CEO, Emma Greenhatch, said the region’s only dedicated food and beverage trade event would create valuable commercial connections and opportunities for its members and the wider food and beverage industry.
“The start of this year hasn’t gone as anyone had planned, so now more than ever it’s time for us to celebrate our regions’ amazing growers and makers,” she said.
“Meet the Makers 2022 is a wonderful opportunity to showcase, to a wide group of industry buyers and supporters, the amazing array and diversity of products and produce made or grown in South-East Queensland.”
Joining the event as an official ambassador is a passionate supporter of local producers, Roz White from White’s IGA. White’s IGA is a pioneer of the locavore movement and is a strong advocate and supporter of the region’s local food and beverage industry.
“I am delighted to again be an official ambassador for Meet the Makers. It is a truly unique event where our industry can connect with a wide range of producers and growers and source innovative and new-to-market retail lines,” White said.
“Working with a network of local suppliers has immense benefits for our business and region. When we support local, we support our community, during both the good and challenging times. During the recent weather events, we were able to call on our network of local suppliers to ensure our shelves continued to be stocked with fresh and local essentials. We support our local producers and they, in turn, support us – and as a result everyone benefits.”
Another supporter of Meet the Makers is one of Australia’s leading producers of premium plant-based food products, Fënn Foods.
“This event is important for food and drink producers and manufacturers from right across the region as it creates an environment that fosters connection and collaboration,” Fënn Foods CEO Tony Rowlinson said.
“It also offers us an opportunity to showcase our growing range of healthy, delicious, all-natural plant-based products directly to the foodservice industry, buyers and consumers. This is especially important given that this is one of the fastest-growing food segments in the world.”
Meet the Makers aligns with the strategies of FAN, and other regional stakeholders including the Sunshine Coast Council, Trade and Investment Queensland and Moreton Bay Regional Council to make the region the Australian epicentre for scaling food and beverage manufacturing businesses through an ecosystem that drives collaboration and innovation.
Meet the Makers 2022 – is proudly supported by Sunshine Coast Council, Trade and Investment Queensland, Moreton Bay Regional Council, MGA Independent Retailers, Whites IGA, Detpak, Ecolean and Focus Insights.
For more information on the event, click here.