One of Tasmania’s well known cherry farmers, Howard Hansen, is reported to have recently signed a contract to supply a buyer from China with cherries from his Huon Valley farm south of Hobart. The advantage for Tasmanian suppliers for China-based buyers, or other northern hemisphere customers, is that seasonal produce can be supplied out of season and attract a premium price from consumers. A similar situation applies to walnuts grown in Tasmania that are marketed by Websters Limited to European... ...Read more »

One of Australia’s biggest dairy groups, Murray Goulburn (MG), is undergoing a revolution. Under the leadership of Managing Director Gary Helou, who assumed the position in October 2011, MG is now focused on expansion into new markets with innovative products and revamping of old brands. Australian Food News reported earlier this year that MG had increased their dairy marketing presence across Asia. MG’s iconic dairy brand, Devondale, has been given a fresh new look, including a new logo and... ...Read more »

Minced meat is not just the basis for some of the world’s biggest fast food chain menus. Hamburgers may be a mass-produced meat product, but boutique restaurants around the world are also exploring the single-item menu theme. In recent years, there has been a definite trend in both the USA and Australia market for single-item restaurants. Having seen cupcake, hotdog and schnitzel specific restaurants pop up everywhere, the latest niche seems to be the meatball. The latest addition to Melbourne’s... ...Read more »

The Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria (RASV) has announced its fine food winners, with Red Hill Cheese taking out the Best Victorian Product award. Red Hill Cheese’s “Mountain Goat Blue” beat 33 other award winners in all categories from Victoria, Queensland, New South Wales South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia. Red Hill Cheese were also the winners of the champion Sheep, Goat and Buffalo cheese titles. The announcement of Red Hill Cheese’s win comes as a honourable achievement... ...Read more »

Organic restaurants, cafes and product owners will be busy this week in preparation for National Organic Week, which kicks off on October 5, 2012. The event organized by the Centre for Organic & Resource Enterprises (CORE) and Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA) will host ten national days of events in communities around Australia to encourage awareness of organic food products and farming. National Organic Week will also award the prestigious title of Best Organic Restaurant, Best Organic... ...Read more »

Chinese Government-owned companies continue to invest in Australian food and agricultural industries, with the latest announcement including negotiations to seek a major stake in Tasmania’s dairy industry. China’s sovereign wealth fund is currently in talks with  one of Australia’s largest dairying companies, The Van Diemen’s Land Company (VDLC). The VDLC  has huge land holdings across north-west and north-east Tasmania. Coincidentally, Little Lion Group, another dairying business with... ...Read more »

Woolworths have submitted a proposal to challenge new planning laws in NSW due to concern that there is not enough ‘retail floor space’ and government cooperation for development in small communities. The concern arises after the NSW Government released their Green Paper, A New Planning System for New South Wales, in July 2012. The government Green Paper outlined key changes to be made In the planning system. While the paper suggested that planning decisions and processes can be depoliticized... ...Read more »

Stan Gordon’s Franchise Food Company (FFC) is in a dispute with Celebrity Chef, George Calombaris over the Mr Whippy Trademark. Mr Calombaris’ Melbourne restaurant was accused by Mr Gordon of a name claimed to be too similar to the iconic brand. FFC is seeking damages from Calombaris’ St Katherine’s Restaurant, claiming that the ‘Mrs Whippi’ dessert was a trademark infringement. The legal battle has become heated after a letter sent from Calombaris’ lawyers was made public, saying the... ...Read more »

An Australian documentary has reignited the debate in theMiddle Eastconcerning the true origin of hummus. However, the real news is that hummus, in a reinvented fashion, is becoming a staple part of many diets in the United States. Trevor Graham’s film ‘Make Hummus Not War’ was featured in the 2012 Melbourne International Food Festival, and highlights hummus as a common thread which links many Middle Eastern heritages. While Graham may have had fun making the documentary, the real news is that... ...Read more »

Today FSANZ advises: Cerebos (Australia) Ltd has recalled a range of Foster Clark’s dairy desserts from supermarkets nationally due to the possible presence of small pieces of plastic, posing a potential choking hazard, especially to young children. The recalled products are: •Foster Clark’s Snak Pack – Chocolate (2 x 140gm) (Best before 21 AUG 2013, 22 AUG 2013, 23 AUG 2013 and 06 SEP 2013) •Foster Clark’s Snak Pack – Chocolate (4 x 140gm) (Best before 23 AUG 2013, 24 AUG 2013, 06... ...Read more »