Australian food and beverage producers, including those in the plant-based and alternative protein sector, have until 25 February 2022 to apply for financial support from the Coles Nurture Fund.
The Coles Nurture Fund provides grants of up to $500,000 for small businesses to develop new market-leading products, processes and technologies.
Coles general manager, corporate affairs, Sally Fielke, said “At Coles, we aim to drive generational sustainability in Australia and one of the ways we believe we can do this is by funding innovative projects which make a significant difference – whether it’s increasing recycling and renewable energy, reducing water use or supporting the local production of Australian food and beverages.”
Businesses with fewer than 50 full time staff and turnover of less than $25 million in annual revenue are eligible to apply.
Over 80 Australian producers have been provided with more than $28 million in financial support since the Coles Nurture Fund was establishment in 2015. Funded projects include Australia’s first quinoa processing facility, manufacturing fence posts from recycled plastic, and a factory to grow grass indoors.
In 2021, the Fund provided $455,000 to a NSW agriculture business, Sawmill Circuit, allowing it to purchase a vacuum truck which will collect manure from 18 dairy farms in Nowra so it can be transported to a biogas plant being built in the local area. Here, the manure will be converted into renewable energy and put back into the grid.
Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 25 February 2022.
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