VICTORIAN farmers and food and drink producers seeking financial support can now apply for grants of up to $500,000 to help them transform their business, deliver market-leading products and drive sustainable operations.
The Coles Nurture Fund has helped more than 100 Aussie farmers and food and drink producers drive innovation and sustainability, with $36 million already awarded for innovative projects including the development of new products while reducing food waste, a zero-waste organic mushrooms farm and a net-zero battery-powered brewery.
Corinella-based blueberry grower, White Cloud Farms, was awarded $400,000 last year to extend the supply of popular Eureka blueberries for longer in the year by creating a growing system that uses a closed loop water reserve, superior cropping microclimates and modified atmosphere storage, supporting both the crop and the land.
White Cloud Farms Owner Scott Carter said he was excited about what being a Coles Nurture Fund recipient meant for the supply of his berries, his farm and his family.
“There are three parts to our vision for White Cloud Farms. The first and most important is the installation of a Priva Irrigation and Climate System which is a world-class system to ensure smarter water usage. This includes a new drainage system which will allow us to capture nutrient-rich water from our plants and use it for growth in other areas on the farm,” Scott said.
“The second element is a purpose-built cool room to store the berries at the ideal temperature before transport, ensuring quality is maintained, and finally, establishing 0.75 hectares of netting and 0.25 hectares of tunnels to allow micro-climate trials which will encourage the plants to fruit later in the season.
“With the support of the Coles Nurture Fund, we can make it happen. My wife Allison and I are incredibly grateful to Coles, and we want to set an example to our girls and other farmers that biodiversity and sustainability are achievable, and hard work is the secret ingredient.”
Coles Chief Commercial and Sustainability Officer Anna Croft said Coles was proud to help cultivate lasting change within the industry for the benefit of Victorian businesses and customers.
“Many of our Victorian producers are small to medium family-owned businesses who take great pride in delivering outstanding products for our customers, and they might have a great idea but not the financial support to get it off the ground, which is why we want to support them through the Coles Nurture Fund,” she said.
“We welcome any ideas that help transform infrastructure, reduce waste, become more energy efficient and install new equipment to support greater volumes of Aussie produce.”
Coles is encouraging applications from all businesses that meet the eligibility criteria, regardless of whether they are a current Coles supplier. To be eligible for a grant of up to $500,000:
• Businesses must demonstrate that they are seeking funding for a project which is unique, drives innovation and provides outstanding sustainability benefits.
• Applicants must generate less than $25 million in annual revenue and employ 50 or fewer full-time employees.
Applications close at 5pm AEDT on Friday, February 14, 2025.
Other businesses that have benefitted include Diggers Rest-based farm Bulla Mushrooms which was awarded a $490,000 grant last year to create a zero-waste mushroom facility.
The facility will capture excess mushrooms grown on the farm and turn them into dehydrated, high-quality products that would otherwise be imported from overseas.
The project will also enable Bulla Mushrooms to install a solar and small-scale wind farm to power the facility, helping to reduce emissions.
Bulla Mushrooms Managing Director Georgia Beattie said the Coles Nurture Fund grant has the potential to change her business model forever once the facility is up and running.
“With no dried mushrooms currently produced in Australia, there’s a big opportunity for us to fill this gap and ultimately divert our mushrooms grown outside of spec from going to waste. This will be a game changer for us because once the mushrooms are dry, we will be able to hold stock for longer,” Georgie said.
“I thought I’d be saving up to bring this project to life over a 10-year period, but the Coles Nurture Fund grant has enabled me to bring it forward and I’m excited to see my vision come to fruition sooner.
“Dried mushrooms have a 12-month shelf life, are a great source of vitamin D and maintain the same nutritional profile as fresh mushrooms, making them a sustainable alternative to keep in the pantry.”
For more information or to apply to the Coles Nurture Fund, visit coles.com.au/nurturefund.
