Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Minister for Industry and Employment Wade Noonan today officially opened the new $15 million RMIT Food Research and Innovation Centre, which will feature a world-class food pilot plant, product development, sensory evaluation, consumer testing, teaching and research laboratories.

The Food Research and Innovation Centre, based at RMIT’s Bundoora Campus, will focus on teaching and training – giving university students access to the latest technologies and hands-on experience in product development, food safety and industry placements.

The Centre will also serve as an incubation facility for small to medium size businesses, enabling them to test new product concepts, develop prototypes and turn their ideas into high value products and services.

Victoria is Australia’s largest producer and exporter of food and fibre products.

The food and fibre sector represents 4.9 per cent of Gross State Product and accounts for around half of the state’s total goods exports.

The Andrews Labor Government is supporting high growth sectors, such as the food and fibre industry, through our $200 million Future Industries Fund to boost growth and create jobs for Victoria.

The food and fibre sector strategy is available at:  www.business.vic.gov.au/futureindustries