Food fund launched

INNOVATIVE ideas to help sell Western Australian food to the world will attract support worth up to $200,000 under a new fund announced by the Gallop government last week. Agriculture Minister Kim Chance said the aim of the WA Food Industry Development Fund was to give the state’s food industry a boost and increase the returns and long-term viability of food processing and farm enterprises. “The WA agri-food industry contributes $10 billion to the state’s economy, employs 11 per cent of the workforce and is the third biggest export earner in WA,” he said. “We have reached these heights thanks in no small way to fast-thinking innovation and creativity. “Whether developing new crop varieties, adapting to changing climatic conditions or coming up with new marketing ideas, this ability to innovate is a WA strength.” Mr Chance said the fund would be the launching pad for some great WA success stories. Projects that meet the funding criteria will be eligible to receive between $10,000 and $200,000 in assistance from the government on a matching dollar-for-dollar basis.