Western Australia’s agrifood and beverage manufacturing sector has received a significant boost, with $540,000 in funding distributed among 64 businesses through the government’s Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program.
The program offers vouchers of up to $20,000 to small and medium-sized food and beverage manufacturing enterprises, helping them enhance operations in key areas such as business planning, manufacturing, marketing, financial health, and environmental sustainability.
“This program is a great investment in our regions by building stronger and more dynamic food and beverage businesses, many of which operate in regional WA,” said Regional Development Minister Don Punch.
Among the recipients is Denmark-based Stash Coffee, which secured a $5,000 sales and marketing voucher to develop a targeted digital sales strategy.
The business also benefited from a previous funding round with a similar voucher for online sales enhancements and another to design sustainable packaging.
Jane Kelsbie, MLA for Warren-Blackwood, highlighted the value of the initiative, stating, “The South West and Great Southern are home to some of our State’s best produce and food products, and the awesome businesses that put these products on plates around WA and the world.”
Kelsbie further underscored the program’s impact on regional businesses, adding, “It is fantastic to see the Agrifood and Beverage Voucher Program once again support so many agrifood and beverage businesses in our region, like Stash Coffee, to bolster their operations and opportunities.”
Since its inception in 2018, the program has allocated $2.4 million to WA’s food and beverage businesses, leveraging over $3.4 million in private industry investment.
The latest funding round saw a diverse range of recipients, including manufacturers of ready-made meals, health foods, beverages, and specialty products like herbal tea and hot sauces.
The full list of recipients is available here.
