The funding aims to help local producers implement sustainable and innovative projects that benefit their operations, customers, and the environment.

Among the recipients, Western Australia’s Blazing Saddles received $250,000 to introduce new cardboard punnets to replace plastic packaging, potentially removing up to 98 per cent of plastic waste from its supply chain.

“As a small grower, we never thought we’d be leading the charge on packaging innovation,” said owner Lance Fitzgerald. “This grant will help us invest in the right equipment and drive positive change.”

Victorian winery Fowles Wine secured $500,000 to implement an Australian-first micro-bat navigation system, BatNavs, to control pests naturally and reduce the need for pesticides.

Owner Matt Fowles said, “We live by the idea of ‘farming in nature’s image’, which means finding ways to work with nature rather than against it.”

Other grant recipients include:

• Dates Farms Australia (Walkerie, SA) – $500,000 for a solar-powered data processing facility
• Cudgen Road Farms (Cudgen, NSW) – $450,000 for a new sweet potato harvester
• Hearman Ag (Charley Creek, WA) – $138,000 for an AI-driven solar pumping system
• Healthy Tech (Bowden, SA) – $175,000 for real-time veterinary support
• K&M Farming Trust (Manypeaks, WA) – $245,000 for solar-powered GPS cattle tracking
• Salamanca Pastoral (Hotspur, VIC) – $90,000 for native shelter belts and a freshwater system
• Talwali Coffee Roasters (Hampton Park, VIC) – $400,000 to grow local coffee using renewable energy
• Topsoil Organics (Forbes, NSW) – $500,000 for compost bagging of Coles’ food waste
• Foodbank SA & NT (Edwardstown, SA) – $250,000 for cyclone-proof food lockers in remote communities

“Sustainable growth needs collaboration, and the Coles Nurture Fund plays a vital role in helping producers bring these ambitious ideas to life,” says Coles’ chief commercial and sustainability officer Anna Croft. 

“We’re proud to support these businesses that are pioneering smart and practical solutions that will help create a more sustainable future.”

The Coles Nurture Fund, now in its eleventh year, has distributed more than $40 million in financial support to 119 Australian producers.

• This story was originally published on Inside FMCG.

The post Coles invests $3.5 million to boost 11 Australian producers appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Each tub has 21g of protein, is 96 per cent sugar-free, and contains less than 400 calories – but is not dairy-free. It comes in three flavours: Chocolate Pudding, Cookies and Cream, and Peanut Butter Salted Caramel.

Established in 2018, Cian Dawson and Courtney Brown created Gym Bod after struggling to find a “healthier” ice-cream option in the market that still tasted great.

“We wanted to create an ice cream that was better for us, so we could eat it regularly and not feel like we were compromising our health and fitness goals,” Dawson said. “After years of testing and customer feedback, we’re proud to say we’ve made a healthier product that doesn’t skimp on flavour.”

The couple achieved a “supremely creamy texture” using Australian milk combined with other locally sourced ingredients.

“From day one, winning a national ice-cream contract was one of our major goals – everything we have done so far to grow our business was for scale,” Brown said. “It feels like all the risks we have taken personally and professionally in the last two years are finally starting to pay off.”

Since its launch, the pair has already begun the brand’s global expansion, with exports to Kuwait and the UAE, a New Zealand launch in 2023, and plans for Asia, the UK, and the US.

This story first appeared on our sister publication Inside FMCG

The post Sydney couple creates high-protein ice-cream brand, Gym Bod appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Coles told Inside Retail that the company took steps to remove Russian products from the shelves of its Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice stores last night.

“We have engaged with our suppliers on community concerns regarding the sale and distribution of Russian-sourced products, and resolved to remove a number of Russian-sourced drinks from sale,” the spokesperson said.

“The thoughts of everyone at Coles Liquor are with the people of Ukraine and we hope for a peaceful resolution to the current crisis as soon as possible.”

Rival Endeavour Group confirmed a similar move today, with the removal extending into its hospitality venues as well.

“Following feedback from a variety of stakeholders, we have decided to remove products of Russian origin from our stores, hotels and online businesses in the coming days,” an Endeavour Group spokesperson told Inside Retail via email.

“As an organisation, Endeavour Group is deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine and we join the calls for peace.”

Both companies appear concerned about the impact of the move on domestic distributors who are somewhat caught in the middle, potential carrying stock that will be unsaleable.

Aldi has also confirmed it will remove Russian products from its shelves.

“Any remaining stock of Russian spirits that were available to customers from previous special buys have been pulled from Aldi Australia’s shelves,” an Aldi spokesperson said.

“Additionally, all planned special buys of Russian vodka have been removed for the foreseeable future.”

A ‘growing groundswell of consumer sentiment’

Across the Tasman, The West Auckland Trusts – which owns 26 retail stores along with hospitality venues throughout the area – stopped selling Russian-made products from Tuesday, in response to Russia’s escalating aggression towards Ukraine.

CEO Allan Pollard said the move was a response to Russia raising its nuclear alert level along with “a growing groundswell of consumer sentiment”.

Products listing Russia as their country of origin including Ivanov, Russian Standard, Russkaya, Kristov Red vodkas, Gorkovskaya Vodka, JJ Whitley Rhubarb Vodka, Royal Bison Vodka, Russkaya Vodka, Baltika Beer and Three Hills Pale Ale beer are all off shelves.

Rather than being replaced with other products, empty shelf space will display a Ukrainian flag.

“Vodka is Russia’s most high-profile export product and our actions today are designed to show our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty,” Pollard said.

“While New Zealand is a comparatively small market individually, joining our counterparts in other countries around the world in boycotting the sale of these products is a statement of solidarity for the Ukrainian people.”

Reuters has reported that Canadian liquor stores are removing Russian vodka and other  Russian made alcoholic beverages from their shelves in an act of condemnation over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.

Liquor stores in the provinces of Manitoba and Newfoundland said they were removing Russian spirits, while Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, also directed the Liquor Control Board of Ontario to withdraw all Russian products. In Ontario alone, the move covers 679 stores.

Canada imported US$3.78 million worth of alcoholic beverages from Russia last year, according to Statistics Canada data. Vodka is the second most popular spirit among Canadian consumers after whisky, Statscan said.

This story first appeared on our sister publication Inside Retail, with source attribution to Reuters/Patrick Doyle

The post Russian liquor pulled from shelves in response to invasion of Ukraine appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Businesses with innovative and sustainable ideas, fewer than 50 full-time employees and turnover of less than $25 million in annual revenue are eligible to apply.

Since it was established in 2015, the Coles Nurture Fund has committed more than $28 million in financial support to over 80 Australian producers to help them introduce ground-breaking technology, establish new products and drive innovation and sustainability.

“At Coles, we aim to drive generational sustainability in Australia and one of the ways we believe we can do this is by funding innovative projects which make a significant difference – whether it’s increasing recycling and renewable energy, reducing water use or supporting the local production of Australian food and beverages,” Coles General Manager Corporate Affairs, Sally Fielke, said,

Previous projects funded by the fund include Australia’s first quinoa processing facility, fence posts made from recycled plastic, and a state-of-the-art factory to grow grass indoors. Last year, it provided a $455,000 grant to NSW agricultural business, Sawmill Circuit, to purchase a large vacuum truck that will collect manure from 18 dairy farms to be transported to a biogas plant which will convert the manure into renewable energy and put back into the grid.

“The support we received from the Coles Nurture Fund will make a significant difference to the way in which dairy farms in the Nowra area manage effluent,” David Ryan of Sawmill Circuit said. “I would strongly encourage other producers who have a unique plan to drive sustainability and innovation on their farm or factory to consider applying for a grant in Round 10 of the Nurture Fund.”

Applications to the Coles Nurture Fund shall be submitted through Coles’ website until 5 pm AEST on 25 February 2021.

The post Innovation and sustainability grant for SME food and beverage producers appeared first on Inside Small Business.

ISB: What was the inspiration behind you developing Ārepa?

AB: I was inspired to develop Ārepa after losing a friend to mental health and grandparents to cognitive-related illnesses, at the time I was in my first job out of university working for a very large energy drink company in sales and thought, “Am I doing any good here?” Our mission now is to make brains work better through accessible and proven brain food.

ISB: What was the biggest challenge you faced getting the enterprise off the ground and how did you overcome it?

AB: Convincing a world-renowned Australian neuroscientist to help us develop a brain drink and then convincing investors to back us heading into our first clinical trial. These things are high risk but we believe it has paid off as we have the published evidence and a growing number of happy customers who feel the effects.

ISB: How have you approached persuading the market about the product’s health benefits bearing in mind scepticism around false marketing behind other “so-called” health products?

AB: We knew this would be our biggest challenge upfront so that’s why we brought on Australias top neuroscientist Professor Andrew Schloly to help with the formulation and research. We then worked with independent universities to validate the effects in the beverage to ensure that the finished product worked (which it did!). We now have over $3 million of clinical trials deployed across seven different independent studies exploring how our formula affects aspects of mental performance and long-term neurological health to help build out the dossier of evidence towards Ārepa as a natural brainfood backed by science.

ISB: And how did you go about getting the range into 200 stores of the country’s largest supermarket chain?

AB: Coles were great to work with, they could see the science and our proof of sales and success in New Zealand. We are stoked to be ranged with them and are working hard to educate Australians on why a caffeine-free brain drink might be a smarter alternative under moments of pressure or stress.

ISB: What is your vision for the development of the business in the next couple of years?

AB: Our mission is to make brains work better and delay the onset of neurological decline worldwide through accessible, sustainable and proven brain food. We have a large study getting set up looking into the neuroprotective effects of our formula, if we show an effect and get more products like this into the hands of Australians we can impart a benefit to them and reduce the economic burden on the country.

ISB: And, finally, what is the number one lesson you’ve learnt on your journey you’d share with others looking to start their own business?

AB: Find smart people who know the industry to advise you, work hard and never give up!

The post Q&A: Brain food in a bottle appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Peter Strong, Chief Executive of COSBOA, said, ‘The draft shows that Minister for Small Business Bruce Billson got the terms of reference right and we applaud him, Professor Harper and his team for all their work so far.

‘We’re pleased to see the review has looked at urban planning and its impact on competition and that the effects test has also remained, although it’s still early days and we are yet to seek clarification on what it will actually mean to small business.

‘We are concerned, however, about the reaction of big business to the proposed effects test. They have overreacted, and unless there’s some underlying issue around their need to dominate through the suppression of competition, we don’t understand their panic,’ said Mr Strong.

Allowing Coles and Woolworths to enter the pharmaceutical market would turn the provision of medicines into a profit-making exercise instead of a health service.

 The pharmacy industry is another area of big concern, adds Mr Strong. ‘Allowing Coles and Woolworths to enter the pharmaceutical market would turn the provision of medicines into a profit-making exercise instead of a health service.

‘Pharmacists offer good service and build a relationship with their local community in order to make a living from their business. Coles and Woollies are only interested in profits, not people.

‘Healthy competition should benefit consumers, economic productivity and our culture,’ Mr Strong concluded.

The post Harper review draft gets thumbs-up from COSBOA appeared first on Inside Small Business.

Peter Strong, Chief Executive of COSBOA, said he was very happy with the ACCC for their continued pursuit of a fair and just marketplace, not just for businesses, but consumers too.

‘This can only have a positive impact on the productivity of the nation. Coles and Woolworths have been allowed to dominate and thwart any autonomy, innovation, free thought, fairness and new business ideas for too long.’

Coles and Woolworths have been allowed to dominate and thwart any autonomy, innovation, free thought, fairness and new business ideas for too long.

 Coles is accused of forcing suppliers to pay for the cost of wastage and theft, fining for late deliveries and deducting fees without explaining the reason, plus much more. The latest proceedings come just five months after the ACCC accused Coles of forcing about 200 smaller suppliers to pay extra rebates.

‘We hope and expect that the final recommendations from the Harper review, together with support from the ACCC and action from the Federal Treasurer, will help us stop this kind of behaviour once and for all!’ Mr Strong said.

‘No doubt the highly paid and experienced lobbying army of Coles and Woolworths will now be mobilised in a campaign to maintain their dictatorship. COSBOA will actively support the ACCC’s current pursuit and continue to fight for equal rights and opportunities for small business people everywhere,’ Mr Strong concluded.

The post COSBOA backs ACCC against Coles appeared first on Inside Small Business.