- Local businesses to share in $470,700 in business development vouchers
- Cook Government investing in the future success of WA’s agrifood and beverage sector
The Cook Government is helping Western Australia’s agrifood and beverage sector to flourish through a fresh round of funding.
More than $470,700 in Agrifood and Beverage Vouchers have now been awarded to 69 applicants from the Mid West, Great Southern, South West, Peel, Wheatbelt, Gascoyne, Pilbara and Perth metropolitan area to grow their operations.
The vouchers will also attract more than $741,600 in co-investment from the successful recipients to the benefit of the WA economy.
Innovative manufacturer Edible Cutlery, which creates food utensils out of wheat, corn and rice at its Osborne Park premises, will use its voucher for market analysis and audience profiling to increase sales and upscale production.
Denmark-based family business Stash Coffee will explore sustainable packaging options and upgrade its website, as part of its plan to double the output of its locally roasted product.
The vouchers will elevate a range of other WA value-adding businesses, spanning confectionary, dairy, specialty food, meat, pasta, seafood, baked products, coffee, tea, honey, oat products, meals, herbs and spices, beer, wine, spirits and other beverages.
Since the voucher program began in 2018, more than $1.39 million has been distributed via 286 vouchers to small and medium sized food and beverage businesses, attracting almost $2 million in matching funding.
The program continues to assist with access to professional advice across business planning, manufacturing growth, sales and marketing, financial health and environmental sustainability and social responsibility to achieve business success.
A full list of recipients can be viewed at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/AFBvoucherprogram
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“This voucher program has successfully helped hundreds of WA agrifood and beverage businesses to diversify and grow over the past six years.
“Our vision is for a strong economy for all Western Australians and this Cook Government investment will mean more local processing and manufacturing as well as more local jobs.
“We also want to help build a more sustainable future and it’s fantastic to see this voucher program supporting eco-friendly operations like Edible Cutlery and Stash Coffee.”
Comments attributed to Regional Development Minister Don Punch:
“Interest in this valuable initiative continues to grow year-by-year, supporting innovative newcomers, as well as established operators, like those in our valuable wine industry, to achieve their business goals.
“This transformational program is helping drive growth and employment throughout the State, supporting regional communities and economies.”
