SEQ Local Food Summit - Industry Day

Day 2 - Industry Day

Day 2 of SEQ Food Summit is focussed on industry change - bringing together those in the business of food, whether that be growing, selling or serving it.

By connecting local farmers and wholesalers,  hospitality leaders who buy produce at scale and representatives from the Brisbane Olympics delivery team, we’ll be drilling into the needs and challenges of these impactful value chain links, and finding opportunities to increase local sourcing and take it ‘beyond niche’ - not just for high end spots or small volume kitchens. Together, these groups hold incredible power in influencing the way our wider community views, enjoys, purchases and prepares their food.

Program

Focussed on action and finding collaborative procurement solutions, key components of the session are:

• Two short presentations to set the scene (and our shared goal) - Food Connect Foundation’s Robert Pekin discussing SEQ’s food system, and a representative from the Brisbane 2032 Olympics sharing plans for the Games’ delivery and legacy

• A panel discussion with local producer and hospitality experts, sharing their highs, lows and whys of sourcing local: 

• Rachel Chambers, CEO, Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers 

• Graeme Twine, CEO, Suncoast Fresh

• Umar Nguyen, Director, The Fish Girl

• Jack Williams, Sustainability Manager, Howard Smith Wharves

• Martin Latter, Kitchens, ASM Global

• A facilitated workshop/discussion, aiming to identify ways we can better collaborate (and what support may be needed from the government and others) to get more locally grown produce into Brisbane’s kitchens and institutions.

As a whole, day 2 aims to identify ways we can better collaborate (and what policy support may be needed) to make this happen. Key findings, challenges, opportunities and desires from the session will be taken forward to policy leaders on Day 3 of the SEQ Food Summit. 

In turn, attendees will be given feedback on what the wider community - families, foodies, the next generation and media - appreciate about and would like to see from them, gathered before the summit and at People’s Day. 

Networking and evening panel session

With many shared goals and potential business connections, Industry Day participants are encouraged to stay to network after the afternoon session, and invited to attend the evening event -  a brilliant line up of First Nations women who will challenge the room to learn more about indigenous foodways and ethical ways to procure native ingredients for your menus.

Please note that Industry Day is a closed session by invitation only. To register your interest, please email info@fcf.org.au with a brief summary of your role, business and what you’d like to gain/contribute to the discussions.