Defence, Tasmanian manufacturer partner on food tech

A Tasmanian food processing business is partnering with Defence, transferring food technology into the private sector.

According to a statement from defence industry minister Melissa Price, Forager Food Co is being given access to a defence site north-east of Launceston, at Scottsdale, to develop options that “would see Defence skills and knowledge for freeze-dried meal production.” 

The Scottsdale facility is equipped with a Microwave Assisted Thermal Sterilisation (MATS) machine, used for research on shelf-stable, high-quality, ready-to-eat meals.

Local member for Bass Bridget Archer said the collaboration would likely “increase Australian domestic capability to produce freeze-dried ration components, while simultaneously supporting the growth and innovation of Tasmanian industry.”

Forager was established in 2009, its website says, and has built expertise and “a world class freeze drying facility with state of the art equipment”. Its products include fruit and vegetable powders and risotto rice packs.   

Price said the collaboration highlighted the value of defence technology to industry, and the partnership would see production for the commercial market and potentially “offering products that meet Defence specifications through its combat rations prime vendor Prepack Limited.”

Picture: www.foragerfoods.com.au

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