Self-funded, not-for-profit social enterprise FoodLab Sydney says its new shared kitchen facility in Strathfield, Sydney, means the marginalised food entrepreneurs it supports now have a safe and professional workspace.

Coles has announced its latest round of Nurture Fund grants, awarding up to $500,000 to eight small and medium sized businesses across the country, bringing the total financial support to more than $33 million since the funding initiative started in 2015.

The a2 Milk Company’s Chinese label infant formula has been re-registered by China’s State Administration for Market Regulation. Synlait, which manufactures the formula, said it was “extremely pleased”.

The Naturally Good Awards featured an impressive list of top exhibitors that were nominated across 13 categories. Proper Crisps won Best Food Product, and Teaesk Best Beverage Product.

A new season of online TV show, Sustaining Australia TV, turns its attention to the biggest issues in Australian food and grocery manufacturing, featuring interviews with leaders from some of Australia's best-known brands and innovative businesses.

Aaron Zerefos Enterprises has acquired Australian water brand Add Water, adding to a portfolio that also includes Fiji Water and C Coconut Water.

AgriFutures Australia is investing $2 million into a new five-year national program of research to scale-up production of the high-value crop sesame. Currently 100 per cent of sesame consumed in Australia are imported.

The doors opened on Naturally Good 2023 to reveal a bustling hall at the ICC Sydney. As the country’s leading business platform for natural and organic brands, there was a cross-section of exhibitors from well known supermarket brands to small batch manufacturers showcasing their product ranges. Food & Drink Business was there.

Sixth generation Coopers family member, Iain Cooper, has joined the brewery. Cooper has recently returned from overseas to take up the position of technical brewer at Australia’s largest independent family-owned brewery.

A multi-million dollar upgrade to Stone & Wood’s Murwillumbah brewery is in the works after the brewery purchased the Kite Crescent site, its home for almost 10 years.

South Australia’s 23rd Street Distillery says it has bounced back after recent Riverland floods at the highly competitive New York International Spirits Competition, where it won Australian Distillery of the Year.

Mars Petcare Australia says investing $112.6 million in its Wodonga plant will bring the manufacturing of cat food single serve pouches onshore, create 60 news jobs, and better equip the business to respond to pet trends.

Anti-bullying non-profit You Can Sit With Me has partnered with Tip Top, to promote kindness and inclusivity in the school playground.

Global leader in aquaculture research and development, Professor Sunil Kadri is using sonar technology to understand fish welfare in Norway’s aquaculture farms, and hopes to continue his ground-breaking research in Australia.

Beverage technology company and distillery Banks and Bloom Distillery + Lab, has announced that former Feral Brewing Company general manager Rob Brajkovich will be joining the team as chief executive officer, commencing 10 July.

This week Australia hosted Pulses23, the global pulse convention. While the rise of plant-based meats has gone someway to raise awareness of the value and benefits of the pulse family, their role could be much greater. Paul Newnham from SDG2 Advocacy Hub writes.