A dedicated space, commercial kitchen, and support network in Melbourne’s north will help food start-ups access the resources they need to turn their ideas into viable businesses.
The Food Incubator + Network Centre (FoodINC) in Preston has been developed by Melbourne Innovation Centre, Melbourne Polytechnic and Melbourne’s North Food Group in response to a lack of affordable, commercial-quality facilities and education services for small food businesses.
FoodINC manager Lou Zarro said the importance of the initiative needs to be viewed in context of the new food business landscape after the extended disruption of Covid.
It has been designed for enterprises that range from existing restaurants looking to develop retail products such as dinner kits to people with a ‘side hustle’ needing commercial facilities to scale up their production.
“FoodINC aims to remove the barrier for small businesses to access commercial-grade facilities and the expert support needed to turn passion projects into long-term, sustainable ventures,” Zarro said.
“The development of FoodINC recognises the need to realign professional support and facilities for the food service industry and ensure that food start-ups can access a wealth of professional development and collaborative industry expertise to fuel their business success.”
Melbourne Polytechnic’s industry-expert educators will lead support services, providing training across compliance, occupational health and safety, and food safety. Food start-ups that join FoodINC can draw access the institute’s portfolio of short and nationally accredited training and degree programs, including commercial cookery, hospitality, winemaking, horticulture, bar and cellar operations, as well as bachelor degrees in business and agriculture.
Melbourne Polytechnic director of strategic partnerships Kerryn Lester-Smith said since Covid, many hospitality businesses are looking to diversify their offering while many others are exploring a complete career change.
“From those looking to explore an idea but unsure where to begin, to people operating small businesses from home and looking to upscale, FoodINC nurtures many facets of small business recovery,” Lester-Smith said.
The annual membership fee will be $350, and kitchens can be booked at $40/hour. Membership included an onboarding welcome pack, networking and mentoring opportunities, online training resources, subsidised professional training and development from Melbourne Polytechnic, plus access to commercial kitchen appliances.
Training and education opportunities include understanding the costs associated with establishing a food business, mandatory food safety compliance, marketing and digital support, plus connections to financial, logistics, legal and sales networks through FoodINC partners.
It is set to open on 29 April and will be located at the Preston campus of Melbourne Polytechnic.
