About Us
The Plenty Food Group is a food manufacturing industry network for companies based in Melbourne's north, entirely focused to assist small, medium and large companies in food processing, or supplying products or services to the food manufacturing industry. The group is supported by the City of Whittlesea, Hume City Council and Regional Development Victoria.
Within the Plenty Food Group, we have over 100 food manufacturers varying in size and type, producing a range of product for the retail, food service and hospitality industries both locally and internationally. Categories include, but are not limited to:
- Bakery
- Beverages
- Seafood
- Ingredients
- Dairy Products
- Confectionary
- Specialty Food
- Fresh Produce
- Processed Foods
- Chilled and Frozen
- Health / Organic
- And more
Origins of the Plenty Food Group
In 2002, a key group of stakeholders in Melbourne's North initiated a Food Cluster Group now recognised as the Plenty Food Group. These representatives comprised of small to large, local and national food manufacturers, education and relevant industry bodies, co-ordinated by the Cities of Whittlesea and Hume Economic Development Units.
Achievements
The Plenty Food Group identified key issues and needs within the food manufacturing industry of Melbourne's north, then implementing initiatives resulting in the following achievements:
- Key exports contracts to the Middle East signed valued at $5m and 1m.
- Plenty Food Group hosted a delegation from Brunei, resulting in seven manufacturers now exporting to this region.
- Skill development for the food companies to deal with major food buyers in the Australian market.
- One company fast tracked its entry into the China Market, accomplished using the resources of the Plenty Food Group.
- New trust and relationships established between members.
- Cost reductions achieved through initiatives of the Plenty Food Group to date:
- Between 5% and 40% on Chemical supplies.
- $2,000 to $12,000 pa on electricity costs.
- Through conducted workshops and seminars, various achievements have been attained for members in areas of marketing, packaging practices, water and waste reduction to name a few.
- Profiling Melbourne's north as a Food Manufacturing Hub.
- Advocate to Government on behalf of food manufacturers.
