The Sydney Startup Hub hosts Australia’s first ‘foodpreneurs’ festival
While it’s been a torrid time for Australia’s food delivery industry in recent months, those who make the things we love to eat continue to thrive, with more than 8,000 local small food producers helping to feed the country.
Their delightful talents will be celebrated in Sydney on Friday 19th May at the inauguration Foodpreneurs Festival at the Sydney Startup Hub.
The day aims to support and spotlight founders of the most innovative food and drink products, from non-alcoholic ‘booze’ to probiotic sodas, muffs and tonics, as well as more sustainable and ethical products and packaging
Founder Foodpreneurs Festival Chelsea Ford said the all-day event would be a smorgasbord of the hottest specialist products and industry insights from across Australia.
“Australia has been on the world stage for decades with award-winning wines and beers, but we are so much more than that,” she said.
“We are now attracting attention around the world with our innovations across a range of food and beverage categories. Foodpreneurs Festival’s goal is to help these brands connect and collaborate so they can scale faster and put what they do firmly on the radar of the people who count, from buyers to industry experts and stakeholders.”
Ford said the day is curated specifically for packaged food and beverage owners, and will feature expert talks and panel discussions; networking and collaboration opportunities; business building workshops; exhibits of the latest and greatest products.
There is also a speed pitching event ‘Pitch Hub’, where founders can try to capture shelf space with the more than 78 vendors at the festival, including retailers such as David Jones and IGA Supermarkets.
The the main stage features 20 growth and innovation experts and founders of key industry brands including GymBod, Pure Pops and Coco & Lucas.
The speaker program offers insight into:
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Win over buyers in a competitive market
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How do you survive working with ‘the majors’ where the margins are brutal
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Why foodpreneurs don’t make money and what you can do about it
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What the future of retail looks like for food and beverage brands
The ‘Express Lane’ features a curated lineup of experts who offer advice and guidance on each foodpreneur’s product, plan and potential.
The festival also allows up to 150 small food and drink manufacturers to reveal their food and drink products to the world through ‘Stickybeak Station’ – a showcase to showcase products and have a ‘stickybeak’ at what others are doing.
Ford said small series manufacturers are at the forefront of new wave trends.
“By spotlighting the ingenuity of their challenger brand and driving industry interest, we will make significant progress in tailoring the influx of imported and private label products currently flooding the market,” she said.
“Australia is known for having the ultimate source of fresh produce and clean ingredients. If we don’t take care of our producers, we are jeopardizing this global reputation and the small-batch economy.
Meredith Nightingalet, David Jones’ food and hospitality development and concessions manager, said consumers want “better for you” food for their families and even their pets.
“It has been our mission since we opened our doors in 1838 to sell the best and most exclusive goods to the Australian public, and this festival gives us the opportunity to find just that in the food and drink sector,” she said.
“We are very much looking forward to being a part of the event and finding new products to bring to our customers.”
More information and buy tickets at foodpreneursfestival.com.
