CSIRO puts food industry on innovation menu

CSIRO has opened up its Innovate to Grow programme to small to medium enterprises (SMEs) hoping to advance their innovative ideas in the food innovation and technology sector.

Led by experienced researchers, the programme helps participants examine technical and business challenges, explore research and development (R&D) opportunities, and develop actionable business and funding plans for their ideas.

CSIRO’s Agriculture and Food Deputy Director Impact Dr Michelle Colgrave said: “To match our growing population, changing climates and evolving consumer preferences, there’s an increasing need to diversify and develop new food and beverages that will be sustainable into the future.

“We are well positioned to do that in Australia with our access to the latest technologies and brightest minds.

“SMEs will be an important part of that, driving innovation right along the supply chain while delivering sustainable outcomes for the future of our food manufacturing.”

Since launching in 2020, Innovate to Grow has helped more than 600 early-stage R&D companies access the knowledge and tools required to progress their ideas.

Joshua Poke from the Tasmanian Oyster Company participated in the Innovate to Grow programme in 2021.

“Innovate to Grow really focused me on what I needed to concentrate on for growing our business in the next 12 months,” Poke said.

“It also provided me with lots of practical experiences of other (SMEs) that I learned from.”

Innovate to Grow: Food Innovation is open to SMEs working in beverage manufacturing, food production, traditional and complimentary proteins, bio-manufacturing including precision fermentation, sustainable processing and value-adding processes.

Dr Colgrave said: “We can combine innovations in fermentation with ‘customer driven’ preferences to deliver reduced sugar beverages, or no and low alcohol wines.”

Picture: Tasmanian Oyster Company is an alumni of the CSIRO Innovate to Grow programme