La Trobe University is collaborating with crop cultivation solutions organisation, Gaia Project Australia, to develop a farming system that can thrive in a controlled and contained environment – even the depths of space.

PepsiCo Australia brand, Smith’s, has achieved a 3.5 Health Star Rating across the entire Thinly Cut and Baked potato chip ranges, with reduced sodium content the key factor.

The winner of Cooperative Research Australia’s 2024 Early Career Researcher Competition has developed a pocket-sized 3D printed device that pairs with smartphone apps to allow farmers to test soil fertility.

The International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand (IFPA A-NZ) is assembling delegates from across the fresh produce supply chain at its Sustainability Summits in Melbourne (13 August) and Auckland (15 August) to discuss key issues and develop frameworks to mitigate climate risk, regulatory pressures, and other challenges for the sector.

More than four million cartons per week will move through Coles’ new Kemps Creek automated distribution centre in western Sydney, opened on 6 August. The ADC is the second Coles has built using Witron technology, as part of its $1 billion tech and innovation investment.

Australia’s largest independent, family-owned brewery, Coopers, has unveiled its $70 million new home. Still on home soil at Regency Park, Adelaide and sitting next to the existing brewery, as well as hospitality options, a tasting room, and microbrewery, is an exciting twist – a whisky distillery and underground stillage for 5000 whisky barrels.

Treasury Wine Estates says it will divest its Commercial brands portfolio and register a $290 million non-cash impairment after tax against its Treasury Premium Brands (TPB) division, including Wolf Blass, Yellowglen, and Lindeman’s brands.

Australian and New Zealand food ministers at state, federal and national levels recently met to thrash out what’s next for health star ratings on packaged foods. Now, after the food industry made slow progress in meeting the target to roll out health stars to more products voluntarily, ministers are tightening the screws.

A plan to help the wine sector recover has been released by Australian Grape & Wine and Wine Australia. The One Grape & Wine Sector Plan “provides the framework for collaborative and coordinated action”, they said.

With the Federal Court approving the $5 million civil penalty agreement between Noumi and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), details of the historical company disclosure obligations breaches at Freedom Foods Group have been aired.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from industry leaders about how they are tackling sustainability challenges and reducing food waste. Moderated by founder and CEO of Yume Food, Katy Barfield, this insightful session will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to tackle food waste and sustainability challenges head-on.

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) sustainability lead, Scott Edwards, shared insights on the company’s approach to circular economy and sustainability in packaging with delegates at the recent Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo.

The latest quarterly Consumer Price Index (CPI) data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that while consumers were paying higher prices for fruit and vegetables, there was some relief in overall food price inflation in, Rabobank says. This quarter was the lowest food inflation number since 1.9 per cent in December 2021.

Educating Australian consumers about the food waste challenge should be both a high priority and a fundamental strategy of product manufacturers, grocery retailers and foodservice providers, says Kerry Australia and New Zealand RD&A director, Michael Palmer, after the company’s Left on the Shelf report found Australians were more than 10 per cent less concerned about food waste than their international counterparts.

Twelve NSW businesses have each received $6000 to help showcase their products to buyers from around the world, with the goal to export more and create new jobs and opportunities at home.

Following the latest consumer price index (CPI) release, the federal government confirms the excise on beer and spirits will increase from today (5 August). Industry bodies condemn the rise to more than $103 per litre, saying it is causing damage to the spirits industry and to craft brewers across the country.