Central Coast Industry Connect | Celebrating Australian Food and Agribusiness Innovations 2021
The NSW Central Coast is home to large-scale food and beverage manufacturers, smaller artisan food producers, high-quality primary food growers and foodservice companies in catering and hospitality.
Central Coast Food Alliance (CCFA) was spun off from Central Coast Industry Connect (CCIC) in recognition of the region’s burgeoning food production sector. Originally floated as an idea in 2013, it wasn’t until September 2018 that the alliance was formally recognised and funded under FIAL’s cluster program.
CCFA exists to bring industry, research organisations and governments together to collaboratively grow the food and beverage sector, create more local employment and cement a clear identity.
Located between Sydney and Newcastle, the Central Coast is uniquely positioned to tap into the large population base of both metropolitan regions and develop food innovation initiatives that deliver broader benefit, an endeavour supported by the signing of an MOU between the University of Newcastle, Regional Development Australia Central Coast and CCIC to build the Central Coast’s reputation as an internationally renowned centre of excellence in food.
To date, CCFA has established an industry- strong steering committee covering large corporate enterprises, SMEs and all levels of government. It has initiated projects in wastewater and energy reduction, supporting the need for the local food industry to manage its operational overhead.
Connection to the university and local secondary schools is vital to the program, which focuses on skills development and education to create the jobs of tomorrow; to develop education and training that will attract national and international talent; to ensure local delivery of regional skills requirements; to identify and grow STEM capability and reduce barriers of entry to the food industry.
