Victorian food relief agency Shepparton Foodshare will have a new, purpose-built warehouse operating by next year thanks to a federal and state government partnership.

Online wine retailer, Just Wines, has acquired craft spirit subscription service Liquor Loot, which went into voluntary administration in March. The deal was brokered by Jirsch Sutherland. 

Fonterra has announced Anna Palairet is the new chief operating officer, having acted in the role since June 2023. CEO Miles Hurrell says Palairet has “extensive experience in operational, customer, sustainability, and sales roles”.

Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry's take on the big news stories this week, and what caught her eye overseas. How will the Future Made in Australia Act actually be delivered? Shanghai trials traffic light labelling, and Solar Food, making protein out of (virtually) nothing at all, opens its commercial scale facility (that's it in the pic).

Food Frontier’s industry leading annual alternative proteins conference, AltProteins 24, is on in Melbourne on 10 October, with early bird tickets now available.

CSIRO has released a new report Responsible Innovation at CSIRO detailing how the national science agency is designing and delivering leading-edge research to benefit everyone. 

Beverage company Lion has appointed Simon Edgar to general manager of its spirits business, which includes Vanguard Luxury Brands and Four Pillars.

International logistics company K.Hartwall has acquired local materials handling company, Retailquip, as it looks to strengthen its presence in Australia and the APAC region.  

Yowie Group has secured the licensing rights to develop, manufacture, and sell National Basketball Association (NBA) themed Yowie toys in the US, Australia, and New Zealand until September 2026. Meanwhile, Keybridge Capital says it now has more than 50 per cent voting power in Yowie and its off-market takeover bid has been extended to 26 April.

Accolade Wines has presented the CCW Co-operative in South Australia’s Riverland Wine region with an offer to buy-out their supply contracts. It says the scheme is the only option that will allow CCW growers and Accolade to remain viable.  

With a focus on food waste transformation, sustainable packaging innovation, and the circular economy, Turning the Dial returns to Perth on 30 May, as a not-to-be-missed event for food and beverage manufacturers. 

Early bird registrations close this week for the third National Food Waste Summit and Trade Show in Melbourne on 24-25 July.

The inaugural PKN Women in Packaging Awards are underway, with entries closing on 24 April. The judges – industry leaders and experts in their respective fields – are ready for the challenging task of evaluating the exceptional talent of women in the industry.

Since Mark Post introduced his cultured meat burger in 2013, the industry has attracted nearly US$3 billion in private investment and more than 150 founders have established new companies, developing innovative food products by leveraging cell biology and advanced biomanufacturing techniques. It hasn't been without its challenges and critics, but life sciences and biotech consultant, James Ryall, says cultured meat represents a lot more than an alternative food source.

Sustainable protein manufacturer, Harvest B, says its latest range is a world first, combining sustainable plant proteins with traditional animal proteins in a 50:50 blend to deliver a product with improved health, environmental, and yield claims.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission says a number of changes to the leadership team is an “opportunity for executive renewal” and part of the commission’s “ongoing transformation towards being a modern, ambitious and confident regulator”.