Gina’s Table, the retail brand of SSS Strawberries, Bundaberg’s renowned strawberry grower, has opened a 4000-square-metre freeze-drying facility in Thabeban, Queensland.
The factory, which is set to employ 50 staff once fully operational, uses a freeze-drying technology, inspired by NASA innovations, and aims to salvage tons of strawberries that may have previously been rejected due to market conditions.
Gina Dang, general manager of Gina’s Table, said she sees this development as a natural evolution for the family business that has been involved in strawberry farming since arriving in Australia from Vietnam.
According to her, the freeze-drying technology provides a solution to the issue of rejected fruit, allowing for value addition to strawberries that may not meet strict market criteria.
“The level of innovation now available in freeze-dry technology will allow us to take the next step in value-adding to tonnes of strawberries that may have ended up rejected and destroyed in the past due to market conditions,” Dang stated.
“We invested in this factory as we saw a growing need to end food waste. It’s heartbreaking to watch fruit that we have grown get rejected and destroyed,” she added.
The freeze-drying machine, imported from Denmark, has diverse applications in food production, including frozen fruit, fruit purees, juices, dairy blends, powders, crumbles, and pro-biotic yogurts.
“Freeze dried fruits retain their shape integrity, are light weight, have a long shelf life, are GMO free and all natural and most importantly it not only keeps but intensifies the flavour,” Dang highlighted.
Bundaberg Region Mayor Jack Dempsey commended SSS Strawberries for the investment, underlining the region’s superior soils that make it a leading growing area in Queensland.
“The global food supply stemming from the Bundaberg Region’s ‘food bowl’ perfectly combines our natural competitive advantage with state-of-the-art processing,” Mayor Dempsey said.
The official opening event will be held tomorrow, 6 December, at 9 Charlie Triggs Crescent, Thabeban, Bundaberg.
It will include speeches from Queensland State Members of Parliament, Bundaberg Mayor Jack Dempsey, a Tao Master blessing, Tae Kwon Do demonstration, and dragon dancing for a cultural celebration.
Notably, Master Chef Adriano Zumbo will showcase delightful desserts using Bundaberg Freeze-Dried Strawberries for guests, customers, suppliers, friends, and family.
