Accolade Wines has launched a website to support the buy-back proposal it put to grape growers in the Riverland region. Chief supply chain officer, Joe Russo, said it was critical that growers had adequate information about the proposal.

The April/May edition of Food & Drink Business features equipment manufacturer, Cobot, and its commitment to Australian manufacturing, a Rising Star creating hard kombucha, features on dairy business, beverage production, natural and functional ingredients, and plant design and fitout. We wrap-up APPEX 2024 and also have all our regular sections, so settle in for a read.

The annual trade event for the Australasian confectionery industry, ConTech2024, will be held on 14 May at the MCG in Melbourne. This year's theme is “Embracing the future in confectionery”.

South Australian Mahalia Coffee took home the Champion Espresso title at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Coffee Show. Awards were also given for Champion Latte, Plunger Coffee, Piccolo, and Organic Coffee.

Melbourne Royal has launched the 10th annual Australian Distilled Spirits Awards (ADSA). It is Australia’s first and largest national spirits competition and this year has a category for ready-to-drink brands.

Victorian food relief agency Shepparton Foodshare will have a new, purpose-built warehouse operating by next year thanks to a federal and state government partnership.

Online wine retailer, Just Wines, has acquired craft spirit subscription service Liquor Loot, which went into voluntary administration in March. The deal was brokered by Jirsch Sutherland. 

Fonterra has announced Anna Palairet is the new chief operating officer, having acted in the role since June 2023. CEO Miles Hurrell says Palairet has “extensive experience in operational, customer, sustainability, and sales roles”.

Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry's take on the big news stories this week, and what caught her eye overseas. How will the Future Made in Australia Act actually be delivered? Shanghai trials traffic light labelling, and Solar Food, making protein out of (virtually) nothing at all, opens its commercial scale facility (that's it in the pic).

Food Frontier’s industry leading annual alternative proteins conference, AltProteins 24, is on in Melbourne on 10 October, with early bird tickets now available.

CSIRO has released a new report Responsible Innovation at CSIRO detailing how the national science agency is designing and delivering leading-edge research to benefit everyone. 

Beverage company Lion has appointed Simon Edgar to general manager of its spirits business, which includes Vanguard Luxury Brands and Four Pillars.

International logistics company K.Hartwall has acquired local materials handling company, Retailquip, as it looks to strengthen its presence in Australia and the APAC region.  

Yowie Group has secured the licensing rights to develop, manufacture, and sell National Basketball Association (NBA) themed Yowie toys in the US, Australia, and New Zealand until September 2026. Meanwhile, Keybridge Capital says it now has more than 50 per cent voting power in Yowie and its off-market takeover bid has been extended to 26 April.

Accolade Wines has presented the CCW Co-operative in South Australia’s Riverland Wine region with an offer to buy-out their supply contracts. It says the scheme is the only option that will allow CCW growers and Accolade to remain viable.  

With a focus on food waste transformation, sustainable packaging innovation, and the circular economy, Turning the Dial returns to Perth on 30 May, as a not-to-be-missed event for food and beverage manufacturers.