Media releases

Gippsland’s food and fibre sector is being invited to turn its challenges into opportunities as part of a program aiming at growing local businesses and boosting the industry. 

‘What’s Your Food or Fibre Challenge, Gippsland?’ will see businesses across the food and fibre sector present their challenges to collaborate with industry experts and develop innovative solutions to what could be holding back future growth. 

The food and fibre sector is a significant contributor to Gippsland’s economy, contributing $7 billion of the total $16 billion of gross regional product and is expected to grow, according to KPMG’s ‘Accelerating growth for the Gippsland food and fibre industry’ discussion paper (2019). 

What’s your Food or Fibre Challenge, Gippsland? is designed to contribute to this growth by finding collaborative solutions, through support from research, industry partners and government. 

Potential challenges could include a product that needs research and development, a training and knowledge gap, outdated technology, a kink in the supply chain, or turning a cost into revenue through waste innovation. 

User-friendly templates and a series of workshops will be provided to help participants talk about their challenge and create a compelling pitch to enter the program. 

Up to 10 participants will be selected and each project will receive comprehensive research and innovation support, funding and collaboration from experts and leaders in business, science and the food and fibre industry. 

Project success will help businesses overcome their challenge and contribute to the growth and sustainability of the region and potentially lead the way for the food and fibre industry nationally and globally. 

What’s Your Food or Fibre Challenge, Gippsland? is funded by the Victorian Government’s Gippsland Regional Partnership. 

It is being delivered by Federation University and Food and Fibre Gippsland with partnership and support provided by Regional Development Victoria, Food Agility CRC, Food Innovation Australia Limited, Latrobe Valley Authority and TAFE Gippsland. 

‘What’s Your Food or Fibre Challenge, Gippsland?’ will be launched on Friday, 12 March from 9.30am to 11am at Federation University’s Morwell Innovation Centre, 1 Monash Way, Morwell. 

The launch will feature information about entering the program. Click here to register for the launch, or visit the webpage for more information. Expressions of Interest can be made until 26 March. 

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria, Harriet Shing 

 "This is a fantastic example of how the Victorian Government’s Regional Partnerships are supporting their communities and advocating for real change." 

 "We're proud to be supporting the food and fibre industry in Gippsland, which is a key driver of the local economy." 

Quotes attributable to Federation University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Duncan Bentley 

“Federation has an important role to play in Gippsland’s future prosperity and as a regional university specialising in technology and innovation, is uniquely placed to work with business and industry leaders to develop innovative, world-leading solutions for the food and fibre sector.” 

“This initiative will support businesses as they face recovery from the global pandemic within a transitioning Gippsland economy.” 

Quotes attributable to Food and Fibre Gippsland Chief Executive Officer, Nicola Pero 

“This is a fantastic initiative for businesses to work on an innovative new product, a process improvement or anything with potential to add value to or enhance the prosperity of their business.” 

“We’re delighted to be working with so many passionate stakeholders at a local, state and national level, and we’re looking forward to seeing who steps up with their challenge ideas.”