Food Innovation Australia Ltd (FIAL) has announced the appointment of Genevieve Bateman as General Manager of Food Sustainability, a newly created position to support the implementation of Australia’s National Food Waste Strategy.
Managing Director of FIAL, Dr Mirjana Prica, congratulated Ms Bateman on her appointment and said that she will bring tremendous experience and proven success at delivering significant government initiatives to the issues of food waste.
“Ms Bateman will lead the implementation of the National Food Waste Strategy and work with industry, business and government across the food supply chain to find collaborative solutions to the food waste problem which costs the Australian economy $20 billion per year.
“Ms Bateman’s career spanning both the public service and private sector will be an asset to FIAL and her enthusiasm and passion will be instrumental in delivering this exciting initiative.”
“One of the key roles for Ms Bateman over the next 24 months will be to identify short, medium and long-term outcomes for the delivery of the strategy and how these outcomes will be measured against our 2030 target.
“FIAL is also delighted to announce a call for innovative projects that encourage collaboration between small and large businesses in the food and agribusiness sector, to lift productivity and competitiveness.
“We will match funding of over $100,000 and up to $1 million to help industry and agribusiness solve an innovation challenge. Projects that involve and benefit multiple businesses across the sector will be viewed more favourably for funding.
“Now that Ms Bateman has joined us, FIAL’s attention will turn to working hard on the four key areas of the National Food Waste Strategy: policy support, business improvements, market development and behaviour change.
“I am also delighted that the Australian Government recently increased its funding for food waste and announced a further $30 million in funding for the Fight Food Waste CRC to empower industry and individuals to help tackle food insecurity and enhance Australia’s reputation as a sustainable producer of premium food products.
“This decision builds on the $1.37 million already contributed by the Australian Government and states and territories towards eliminating food waste.
“I look forward to working with the new CRC,” said Dr Prica.
The National Food Waste Strategy is being delivered as part of the Australian’s Government election commitment to halve Australia’s food waste by 2030.