|
|
|
|
Chair's Report
November 2015
Its great to see some awesome things being achieved by our members, and all the news in this month’s newsletter should serve as an inspiration to all of us, that we are truly blessed with a basket of riches here in the Northern Rivers. Our membership base continues to grow which is a sign that existing and start up businesses are seeing value in being part of what we do.
I would also like to thank the Foundation Members, who through their generosity and support have helped take NRF to another level and provided us with a much stronger financial footing. I encourage the Foundation Members to continue to work collaboratively as a group to gain further value from their increased involvement in NRF. Anyone interested in joining our Foundation Member group can contact Anne, Pam or myself for further information.
We are all in the middle of a busy time of year, but hopefully you can manage to take a break from that and join us at the AGM and end of year celebration. Our working committees have benefitted from some fresh faces lately, and if you are a member who would like to be more actively involved then be sure volunteer for a role on our management committee, and we look forward to seeing you put your hand up at the AGM!
Jamie Cook
Acting Chair
|
|
|
Seriously Good NRF Events Coming Up...Hope you can Join us!
We’re approaching the end of year and have a couple of NRF events coming up in November that are not to be missed!
For starters, our next NRF get together will be held Thursday Nov 5th, from 5.30pm - 8.30pm at Stone & Wood, Byron Bay. We will run the AGM first and then settle into end of year celebrations …with a “make your own pizza” and beer night. Thanks in advance to our sponsors Shoobridge Transport and all of you who have offered to bring food for this - pizza bases, toppings etc and of course to our wonderful hosts – Stone & Wood. It should be a great night. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to register here http://bit.ly/1KSXj8u!
The NRF Events committee are also busy getting together our next event which will be a special forum exploring an important issue for our region i.e. current food retailing trends in Australia and the impact on local communities.
Our panel will be Chaired by Donna Harper and Titled: “Senator Nick Xenophon on the current duopoly of supermarkets in Australia: are they killing communities?”
It will be held: Thursday 19th November from 11:30 – 3.00pm at Coorabell Hall and kicks off with an informal lunch by 100 Mile Table & time to mingle at the end.
Senator Nick Xenophon is our special guest speaker. Other speakers will include a local retailer, manufacturer and producer offering a balance of different ideas and perspectives and most importantly, local solutions, namely: Brad Hopper, Hopper Retail Group, Pam Brook, Brookfarm and Robert Hayes, Freshzest Herbs.
Details and registration for this event here: http://bit.ly/1Now20z
Hope to see you all soon!
Cheers
Anne Briggs
Executive Officer
|
|
|
Behind the Scenes: Meet the NRF Marketing Committee!
Introducing the talented members of the NRF Marketing Committee...working collectively on projects to help promote local food & food producers in the Northern Rivers. Headed up by Chair Cat Evans, Stone & Wood and including (in picture): Terase Davidson, Taste Byron Bay, Vicki Foster, Nortec Business Solutions (filling in for Michelle Dowding who's on holidays in Europe), Tina Kelly, Marketing Manager Brookfarm and Harriet Messenger, Husk Distillers.
One of the current marketing group projects is getting NRF Hampers up and running. For this project, NRF are partnering with Hampered Cases Byron Bay, who will be buying product from NRF members, putting the hampers together in their special retro cases and selling online. The group are also exploring other retail opportunities such as Nortec's #operation local pop ups in the lead up to Christmas.
For more information contact: Anne Briggs, NRF M: 0411 035 876 or E: info@northernriversfood.org.au.
|
|
|
NRF Member Profile: David O’Connor, Byron Bay Chocolates
Most people are very familiar with the delicious array of tantalising products from Byron Bay Chocolate Co, but how much do you know about the founder, owner & chief oompa loompa himself…David O’Connor?
David grew up on his family’s peanut farm in Casino. After a stint at Hawkesbury Agricultural College, David kicked off his professional career as a Food Technologist. He worked for years in different roles developing biscuits, lollies, snack foods and dairy products.
In the eighties David returned to the Northern Rivers region and bought a property on Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay with a dream of creating a chocolate factory open to the public with tours, tastings and education for kids.
After initially testing the waters with muesli and carob products he saw a market for chocolate & started to trial products made with some of the local produce on offer including macadamias and coffee grown in the region. In 1986 Byron Bay Chocolate Co. was born and today includes 40 products that are sold in retail outlets from Adelaide to Cooktown!
Byron Bay Chocolate Co. is still very much a family run business, with Carole & David at the helm and offspring - Sally, Darren & Renae all very central to the operations, sales and distribution side of the business.
David’s advice for people starting out…”You’ve got to live and breathe the business to make it work. You’ve got to work hard and put in the hours!” And his vision for developing a chocolate factory open to the public…well let’s say he’s still presenting his case to local council on that one!! Watch this space…
More information: http://www.byronbaychocolateco.com.au
|
|
|
|
Byron Beach Cafe - Birdcage Melbourne Cup Event
Can't get to the track for this year's Melbourne Cup? Head along to the Byron Beach Cafe for their biggest and most glamorous Melbourne Cup event ever. Who can argue with an extravagant birdcage themed setting on the beachfront, cocktail & champagne on arrival, spring-inspired canapés all afternoon, live music, charity sweepstakes for 'Our Kids', prizes for best dressed plus two big screens for the race that 'stops the nation'. To find out more visit - http://byronbeachcafe.com.au/the-birdcage-melbourne-cup-event-2015 . Bookings essential. To book call 1300 583 766 or email events@byronbeachcafe.com.au .
|
|
Join us to celebrate the race that stops the nation
Enjoy the day sipping some great sparkling form our sponsor Yellowglen, winning our many prizes including best dressed and the luck door prize, taking part in our sweeps, or simply enjoying all races of the day on our state of the art plasma screen. There will be NO SET MENU. We will be offering a special Melbourne Cup a-la-carte menu and drink specials on the day. You can also sample the premium skin and beauty products from Jindilli Macadamias and try one of our Macadamia Lattes! Contact Rebecca now to book a table on 6618 1188 or events@thepointballina.com.au
|
|
|
|
If you love fresh oysters, then this is one event you won’t want to miss! Byron Bay’s SHUCK presents ‘Summer of the Sydney Rock’ at Coorabell Hall, midday, Sunday 15 November. Celebrate the arrival of the new season of Sydney Rock Oysters by feasting on freshly shucked oysters from five exceptionally talented and passionate NSW oyster farmers. In the kitchen is the legendary Graham Stockdale from Stockpot Kitchen. Bookings essential.
|
|
|
|
New Sales & Marketing Manager for Duck's Creek Macadamias:
Introducing Scott Schirmer
Scott Schirmer has just taken on the new role of Sales and Marketing Manager at Duck Creek Macadamia. Scott grew up in Northern NSW and then ventured off to Sydney to complete a Chemical Engineering degree. This led to 20 years in “the big smoke” in various roles at Ajax Chemical, Roche Vitamins and Spectro. A passion for fresh food instigated a step away from the corporate world and Scoots Fruit was born in Sydney that encompassed home and corporate deliveries. With an interest in owning his own business sparked, Scott fell in love with an old Hungarian couple that had just started value adding Macadamia nuts from their farm to make soft French Montelimar nougat ‘”Macadamia Bliss” in Noosa. The Australian Nougat Company was reluctantly sold and 9 years later with a lot of hard work had been developed into a local tourist attraction, with factory tours, many new export projects and lots of fun in between. Three beautiful young kids helped the decision to move back home easy and a new role to use his background in Nougat to help push the profile of Duck Creek Macadamia.
|
|
|
|
Brookfarm: We wanted to share the great green news with you!
|
|
|
Our family owned northern rivers macadamia producer won the Awards’ highest commendation, the Premier’s Award for Environmental Excellence, for its commitment to sustainable processing operations.
“The prestigious Premier’s Award for Environmental Excellence was awarded to Byron Bay’s Brookfarm,” Mr Speakman said.
“Brookfarm has 288 solar panels, it saves 160 kilolitres of water a year through recycling rainwater and has planted more than 30,000 trees that have collectively stored over 2,310 tonnes of carbon.
We also won our category of Small Business Sustainability – and we are terribly proud!
Thought you would like to know!
For more information, please contact Brookfarm: Ph: 02 6620 9500 www.brookfarm.com.au.
|
|
|
The Amazing Adventures of an Intrepid Cheese Maker!!
|
|
I have just returned from an amazing cheese adventure spending my time in the UK, Italy and France.
Highlights would have to be the mozzarella cheese factory near Venice, the London Specialty Food Fare, Barolo wine tasting in Northern Italy before heading to the Bra Cheese Festival for 3 days of workshops, cheese tasting, meeting international cheese makers and eating fine food. Then off to Cheniers in the middle of France to Ivan Larchers cheese factory and dairy farm for an intense week of cheese theory and cheese making.
A few days in Paris to unwind, dinner at Septimes, before heading home to look at starting up a jersey dairy and cheese factory with my husband.
It’s amazing how a month away can clear your head and allow you to focus on your future – never stop learning!
More info, please contact: Debra Allard, Cheeses Loves You, Mob 0404 812 011, Email drallard@bigpond.com.
|
|
|
Congratulations Nicholson Fine Foods:
Sydney Royal Fine Food Awards
|
|
|
Nicholson Fine Foods CEO Peter Nicholson is pleased to announce the results of the Sydney Royal Fine Food completion 2015 for the following products.
- Euro Style Spiced Beetroot Finishing Vinegar: Australian Champion, Australian Savoury Food Champion, Gold Medal
- Savoury Pickled Cherries: Gold Medal
- Spiced Raspberry Finishing Vinegar: Bronze medal
For the Beetroot Finishing Vinegar to win a gold medal at the Sydney Royal is an achievement, to then go on and win Savoury Food Champion is huge and to then win overall Australian Champion is quite stunning.
We work very hard at maintaining the quality of every product we make, it’s not easy, but compromise is not an option.
These latest results brings the total number of Australian Champion Trophies won by the Euro Style Spiced Beetroot Finishing Vinegar to seven, six from the Sydney Royal and one from the Royal Hobart Fine Food Awards.
If any of our Northern Rivers Food business owners and chefs would like a sample please call Peter Nicholson on 02 66463191 or click here More information.
|
|
|
Bushfood Conference Highlights High Demand for Local Native Foods
|
|
Rebecca Barnes, (Playing with Fire) and Clayton Donovan recently attended the 5th Bush-foods Conference held at Griffith University. The conference gave an in-depth insight into the current research on Native foods and the applications.
Most of the results from the scientific experiments show that healing properties of foods such as the Kakadu Plum and the Bush pepper are better than the synthesised drug- indicating a huge potential industry for Australia. Scientific tests have also shown that bush pepper in small quantities has the ability to preserve and extend shelf/fridge life of raw fish.
Some of the products in high demand include: lemon myrtle, bush tomatoes, wattle seeds, kakadu plum, rosella flowers, bush pepper and rainforest mint. There are great opportunities for western areas to grow bush tomatoes, there is a growing demand and very limited supply for these tasty little tomatoes.
Many of the speakers have agreed to present at the “Bushfood Sensations” conference and workshop being planned for March 2016, so keep an eye out for information as the planning is finalised. We welcome all people involved in the Bushfoods industry to join our group by "listing their business" on our directory at http://bushfoodsensations.net/
More information, please contact: Roxanne Smith, Bushfood Sensations, T: +61 2 66273202 M: 0400 573 873 E: Roxanne.Smith@industry.nsw.gov.au.
|
|
|
New Synergies for Byron Bay Pizza Co!
|
|
|
A few months ago Charlie Ross from Byron Bay Pizza Co approached Synergy Group to do some labeling work on his pizza bags.
From the day our team started on the production line, our not for profit organisation has not only been provided more income, but our employees have been given the opportunity to develop new skills in the workforce.
Synergy Group is a not for profit Australian Disability Enterprise located in Murwillumbah/Tweed Heads NSW. Synergy Group can help your business with it’s packaging and processing needs with our competitive rates, fast turnaround and guaranteed quality service. We take pride in our SGS HACCP & ACO certified manufacturing facilities. Whether its shrink-wrapping, mailouts, labelling or filling we can accommodate a vast range of packaging/processing needs. For more information please contact: Kayla Mclean, Synergy Group E: kmclean@synergygroup.org.au.
|
|
|
Taste Byron Bay on a Mission to Showcase the Best of our Region!
|
|
|
Terase from Taste Byron Bay certainly is a girl on a mission to showcase some of the regions finest on Taste Byron Bay's super fun Food Tours and Cooking Classes. Terase has been getting some amazing feedback from her clients and even managed to capture the attention of Furi Australia, who have signed up to sponsor the Taste Byron Bay Cooking Classes with their beautiful knives.
In her spare time (we're not entirely sure where this girl finds time to sleep!), Terase loves developing recipes using produce from the local farmers market and the Fig Tree Restaurant garden. We reckon Terase's recipe for Linguine with Clams using Coopers Shoot Tomatoes and Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, provides the perfect excuse to invite some friends and family over for your own local flavour party! CLICK HERE for the recipe. More information contact Terase: M: 0450532276 E: terase@tastebyronbay.com.
|
|
|
TNR: Small business tax discount on the way
|
|
|
In a surprise, but welcome, move in the 2015 Federal Budget, the Government announced a small business tax discount. The Government said that, with effect from 1 July 2015, individual taxpayers with business income from an unincorporated business that has an aggregated annual turnover of less than $2 million will be eligible for a small business tax discount. The discount will be 5% of the income tax payable on the business income received from an unincorporated small business entity. The discount will be capped at $1,000 per individual for each income year, and delivered as a tax offset through the individual’s end-of-year tax return.
Example: A person running a business as a sole trader has an annual turnover of $300,000 and taxable income of $75,000. Under the current law, the business would pay tax, at the owner’s marginal tax rate, of around $16,000 in total. Under the proposed new law, the $16,000 tax bill on the business income would be reduced by 5%, or $800. While there is no change in the owner’s tax rate, under the new law the owner would pay only $15,200 tax.
Legislation to implement the small business tax discount is currently awaiting formal enactment. More information please contact TNR: T: 02 6626 3000 W: www.tnr.com.au.
|
|
Business Pop Up advisory sessions
Come along and chat with a business advisor about taking your business to the next level - NO COST. Our Pop Up sessions are all about making our business advisors available to you so you can drop in at no cost to get business support.
Business Planning sessions
We know business planning can be a daunting exercise, but it does not need to be. Come along to our Business Planning sessions and our business advisors will help you create, refine or brainstorm your business plan.
For more details or to book some time, visit http://www.nortecsmallbiz.org/hows-business.html or call 02 6685 5000.
|
|
|
Have something to sell this Christmas??
Do you have a market stall and want to get some customer sales before Christmas? Summerland House Farm is in the process of organising our annual Christmas themed markets on the 13 December 2015 from 9am-1pm. We're looking for stall holders supplying fabulous gifts for Christmas. There is no charge for a market stall and we have lots of Christmas themed fun planned on the day. Email lmurphy@hwns.com.au to register your interest asap - (please note: stalls are to bring own shade, tent weights, tables, chairs etc). Get in early!. email lmurphy@hwns.com.au.
|
|
Updates to the Food Standards Code –Notes from AIFST/AFGC Breakfast Meeting 07 October, 2015
The updates to the Food Standards Code brought in in 2013, were made in order to make them more legally enforceable.
However, the changes have not altered the Food Standards Code in its content, though the structure, language, and style, of the Code, has changed.
What might that mean for your business, and actions required:
- The number and name of each individual Food Standard has been kept the same, but most of the Clause numbers within each Standard have changed. This means that any references to specific clauses in the Code - on packaging, in PIFs, internal documents, export documents - all need to be updated. You need to consider : When and how will you issue information on the new Code to clients and staff?Who has paper copies, as the old ones will need to be destroyed or archived. The sooner all this can be done, the better
- The Schedules e.g. for additives, are at the back of the standards, rather than within the body of the standard, therefore using a second screen will make the standard easier to review.
- Additives use needs to be reviewed.
- Naming of products e.g. non-dairy milk products, needs to be reviewed in light of the standard.
Dawn Pethers, Food Technologist
|
|
|
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!
|
|
‘Twas 2 months before Christmas and all through the house…everyone was starting to enquire about Christmas hampers, so here we go. Falalalala…
This year, 100 Mile Table is once again glazing the ham, filling the jars, whisking the meringue, rolling the roulade and baking the pies. Orders are being taken now for pick up anytime before 2pm on Christmas Eve – or talk to us regarding your customised Christmas food needs.
We’ve got our hands on some beautiful free range hams and will be coating them in lashings of our coveted mandarin marmalade and honey glaze. Our secret weapon will be smashing out Christmas mince pies and pavlovas and Buche de Noel for your dessert.
Order now and pick up from our HQ at Banksia Drive anytime before 2pm Christmas Eve.
100 Mile Table glazed free range ham $ price tbc
Mince pies $4 each in packs of 6 or 12
Pavlova $55
Buche de Noel $55
100 Mile Table house made products are available in 250ml, 500ml and 1 litre jars - mandarin marmalade, tomato jam, sri racha sauce, mustard pickles, granola and more – wooden gift boxes of 3 are also available. The perfect Christmas gift.
Email us now at food@100miletable.com to order your Christmas lunch. We are also happy to customise a menu of salads or anything else you require.
|
|
Startup Weekend Byron Bay
StartupWeekend is coming to the Northern Rivers. If you're not familiar, Startup Weekend is a 54-hour event where Hackers, Hipsters and Hustlers (aka developers, designers and business development folks) come together to pitch an idea and launch a business, all in one weekend. It is a great opportunity to test startup ideas, meet potential co-founders, build the community in the Northern Rivers and launch your next startup!
Startup Weekend will take place from 20-22 November at StartInno in the Byron Bay Arts and Industrial Estate. Startup Weekend is a 54-hour event, which helps educate, support, and empower people to become entrepreneurs. More information
|
|
|
Advertise Your Business in the Ballina Visitor Guide 2016
Approximately every 18 months the Ballina Visitor Information Centre coordinates production of the Ballina Coast & Hinterland Visitor Guide and bundles packages across both print and digital mediums. We are not in this to make any profit but just to raise enough funds to create destination appeal for our tourism experiences and product. These are distributed to:
• Targeted Visitor Centre’s throughout NSW and South East Queensland including: Brisbane, Sydney, Newcastle, Byron Bay and Melbourne;
• Capital city travel expo’s;
• Ballina Visitor Information Centre;
• Ballina-Byron Gateway Airport with over 420, 000 passengers per year
• Northern Rivers Accommodation properties and tourism attractions and
• New resident packs
If you would like to promote your business in the Ballina Visitor Guides, or would like to find out more, please contact: Alicia Wallace, Team Leader Visitor Services, Ballina Shire Council. T: 02 6686 3484 m: 0407 171 097.
|
|
|
Congratulations MADURA Tea is No.1 - Four Years running with Canstar Blue
On behalf of the Madura Tea team, we'd like to say a special thank you to our valued customers who recently voted in the Canstar awards for best tasting teabag where we have, once again come in at number 1.
We'd also like to thank our wonderful staff, our distributors, their reps and staff who obviously take pride in what they do, and to help make our products what they are today. Please share our story and thanks with your friends over a cup of Madura!
|
|
|
|
Stephen Bright Director of Madura Tea Estate accepting the Canstar award for the fourth year in a row for best tasting tea in Australia.
|
|
Save the date!
Some important dates on the Northern Rivers Food Calendar:
5th November, 5.30pm-8.30pm
NRF AGM & Xmas Party
Beer & Pizza at Stone & Wood, Byron Bay
Who doesn't like beer & pizza? Join us at our next NRF event for our AGM and end of year get together at Stone & Wood Byron, Nov 5th 5.30-8.30pm. Details and registration here: http://eepurl.com/bB0y61
19th November, 11.15am - 3pm
Coorabell Hall
NRF Event Lunch & Forum: Senator Nick Xenophon on the current duopoly of supermarkets in Australia: are they killing communities? More details and register here: http://bit.ly/1Now20z
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
