11 FEDERAL MINISTER FOR Industry and Science, The Hon Ed Husic MP announced in early May that the Food and Agribusiness Network (FAN) had been awarded a total of $2 million in grant funding under the government’s Industry Growth Programme. FAN led a consortium made up of four groups from Victoria, Tasmania and Western Australia and Central Coast Industry Connect from NSW. One of four Industry Partner organisations announced by the government, the consortium project called “Custer Connect” will be focused on supporting and providing expert sector specific advice to Food and Agri SME’s. The consortium group has been working together for some time, sharing knowledge and experiences to help each other sustain and grow their respective organisations enabling them to support their food and agribusiness industries. Commenting of their success in gaining the grant, CCIC Executive Director, Frank Sammut said, “the power of collaboration really shone through this experience. As a Cluster Network we have coverage of five states and a wealth and depth of experience and knowledge we bring to the food and Agri industry.” “Three of us are building Food Hubs and we have a significant Industry and supplier base across our networks. As a cluster network we have access to a range of research partners, export expertise and a good understanding of grass roots issues.” Mr Sammut praised the work of Nicole McNaughton, CEO of the Food Agribusiness Network, who led the application. “The leaders who make up this Network are all passionate people who are making a difference,” he said. Final details of the programs that the Cluster project will deliver are currently being discussed with the Federal government and it is expected that these will be made public in late June. CCIC will play a major role in supporting SME food and Agri businesses within NSW and within the national cluster network. CCIC to share in funding for Food Agribusiness SME support NEW PATIENTS Comprehensive checkup & clean Includes up to 5 x-rays No Gap (with health insurance) or $290 OFFERS (all patients) Free orthodontic consultation Free dental implant consultation Free cosmetic makeover consultation FINANCE We bulk bill the Medicare CDBS Zip Pay & Zip Money payment plans We partner with SuperCare General Dentistry | Emergency Care | Cosmetic Dentistry Orthodontics & Invisalign | Sleep Dentistry IV Sedation | Oral Surgery Wisdom Teeth Removal | Dental Implants | 3D CT Scanning 02 4323 1933 | www.vcdental.com.au Suite 10, 36-40 Victoria Street, East Gosford NSW 2250 OPEN 7 DAYS 40 YEARS LOCAL MANUFACTURING NEWS Having succeeded in developing and successfully trial marketed a new peanut snack product onto the Australian market Felipe and Valeria Testa have moved into a factory unit in West Gosford and putting them on a path to grow their new business. Developed in their kitchen at home and based on a peanut snack popular in Brazil the new healthy snack product to be marketed under the name ‘The Loggie’, is made from all Australian plant based, all natural ingredients. The Testas migrated from Brazil ten years ago and have test marketed the product through the large Brazilian community in Sydney’s northern beaches and on the Gold Coast in Queensland. The product is based on a Brazilian Peanut Candy known as Pacoca and manufactured by Mr Testa’s family in Brazil. It is a popular snack which contains sugar and is one of three products now being made at West Gosford. One, known as the Original, contains sugar, the second contains coconut sugar and the third, the flagship product is sugar free. The Loggie factory presently produces around 500 kgs per month however with new machinery now being installed that will be ramped up. The Loggie will be introduced to health food stores and small supermarkets as production ramps up. Meanwhile the product is available online at theloggie.com.au Minister for Industry and Science, Ed Husic MP Healthy peanut snack manufacturer moves into new factory Felipe Testa Central Coast manufacturers are invited to enter the 2024 Hunter Manufacturing Awards with applications closing 21st August and Finalists announced 19th September. The Hunter Manufacturing Awards are all about inspiring and recognising excellence in this diverse and vital sector – and shining a light on manufacturing organisations small and large. Past participants have benefited both from the process of applying, and from the boosted reputation and visibility from winning. This opens doors to valuable business opportunities that can lead to unimagined pathways for your business. There has never been a better time to reflect on your achievements, and no better way to celebrate them, than with HMA2024! For more information visit: hma.org.au/ registration-2024/ Applications open for Hunter Manufacturing Awards 2024 CENTRAL COAST BUSINESS REVIEW JUNE 2024
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