Expert initiative delivers tangible benefits to WA food and beverage businesses – apply now for funds in 2019
Seven regional Western Australian businesses have been named in the first round of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Food Industry Innovation’s ‘Expert for a Day’ initiative.
Announced in a statement by the Minister for Agriculture and Food Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC in October, the businesses have each been awarded vouchers valued up to $2 000 to engage professionals to work with them on enterprise growth initiatives identified in their business plans.
"Expert for a Day is part of a suite of programs aimed at supporting Western Australian business producing premium value-added products, particularly where we have identified high-growth, high-value markets,” the Minister said.
"The first round of recipients are using their vouchers on everything from e-commerce planning to packing and labelling consulting, giving our growing businesses the best possible chance at taking on the world."
Eligible businesses will have access to a range of industry experts whose skill sets address identified gaps including: branding, labelling and marketing advice; e-commerce expertise; in-market intelligence; logistics; sales capacity; pricing strategies; market and competitor analysis; food technology; and access to specialist knowledge in exporting premium food and beverages.
Expert for a Day is supporting the state’s premium food and beverage businesses break ground and deliver outstanding product to customers domestically and abroad.
Eighteen successful recipients awarded to date include:
- Happs Wines
- Sweeter Banana Co-Operative Limited
- Clairault Streicker Wines
- Eagle Bay Brewing Co
- Australian Grown Superfoods Pty Ltd (Three Farmers)
- Whicher Ridge Wines
- The Lakehouse
- Ryan’s Quality Meats
- The Lupin Co
- The Truffle & Wine Co
- D.Jays Gourmet Pty Ltd
- Mondo Doro Pty Ltd
- Whipper Snapper Distillery
- Dandaragan Organic Beef
- Simmo’s Icecreamery
- Organic and Biodynamic Meats Western Australia Co-operative Ltd
- Bahen & Co Chocolate
- Rocky Ridge Brewing Co Pty Ltd
Positive feedback provided by successful applicants who have completed their expert for a day placement:
“Our chosen expert was excellent to work with. They were engaged from the beginning and helped us prepare for the day to maximise benefits.”
“This programme is a great example of the department helping food businesses in a tangible way.”
“The conversation during the day demonstrated that we have a lot to gain from engagement with experts in the food business with high quality global experience.”
“When we are successful we will be able to look back and thank DPIRD for this valuable step up.”
“We would like to thank your team for this opportunity, for a small business it really makes a big difference.”
“The application and administration process was relatively easy to undertake and great assistance was provided when required.”
Registrations are open for participation in the Expert for a Day initiative in 2019.
For more information, contact the Food Industry Innovation team via email at foodindustryinnovation@dpird.wa.gov.au