food

and beverage showcase is opening doors for local producers.

From tasty treats, delicious dairy, farm grown goodness, plant based alternatives, baked goods, organic goodness, spirit makers and refreshing beers, there is something for everyone at the annual Meet the Makers (MTM) event that is set to return to the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday 4th May.

Now in its fifth year, MTM has grown to become the Food and Agribusiness Network’s (FAN) signature event and has earned a stellar reputation for attracting quality growers, manufacturers and producers who offer high quality, innovative products, that consumers and buyers cannot get enough of.

Attracting buyers and industry members from all over Australia, producers from the Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie, Moreton Bay and beyond will unveil their latest food and beverage offerings with many making important trade connections in the process.

Acting FAN CEO, Nicole McNaughton said as the region’s only dedicated food and beverage trade event, the opportunities and connections MTM creates cannot be underestimated.

“Meet the Makers provides valuable commercial connections and opportunities for our members and allows them to connect with members from the wider food and beverage industry which is important in terms of being able to benchmark their own growth journey and potentially look at future collaborations.

“Being able to showcase a product at this event makes it easier for buyers to see what the region is doing and to assess if any of the products are a fit for them.

“The value of this kind of exposure cannot be underestimated and we have seen many of our exhibitors products picked up by major retailers as a result.

Local retailer, Roz White who, together with husband Michael White, own six White’s IGA’s stores across the Sunshine Coast is an Official Event Ambassador who is passionate about championing local producers through her ‘Locavore’ program.

“It is smart business to support local producers,” Ms White said.

“Our customers love buying local produce and products because the trust the quality and they feel like they are supporting the region. And as we have such incredible products available right across SEQ it makes it an easy thing to do.

“Importantly, consumers love the stories behind the products and so do we. The story-telling component is what connects the consumer to the product and ignites an important bond to raise awareness how supporting local can create value right across the community,” Ms White said.

The Queensland food and agribusiness sector make up one third of Australia’s primary produce and demand for local produce and products continues to grow.

“It comes as no surprise that the demand for Queensland food and drink products continues to grow and supporting our members to build capability to scale and leverage new distribution opportunities is an important role of FAN. Ms McNaughton said.

“FAN, together with key stakeholders, has a strong focus on making our region an epicentre for scaling food and beverage manufacturing by creating a ecosystem that drives collaboration and innovation.

“Through it’s collaborative efforts FAN has helped many small food and beverage providers scale up and be in a position to work with some of the larger retailers and it is wonderful to be able to facilitate these connections and see really incredible products end up on the shelves of retailers who truly understand the importance of supporting local producers”.

Key Event Details For Buyers

2.00 pm - 5.30 pm

Buyer Session, welcomes:

Food & beverage retailers / distributors / wholesalers & procurement / restaurants / cafes / caterers / tourism operators / accommodation providers / event companies are invited to learn about the latest food and beverage products made in our regions.

For Supporters

5.30 pm - 7.30 pm Networking Session, welcomes:

FAN members and partners, industry supporters, media and passionate foodies - come join us at this Networking Session and celebrate our regions’ growers and makers. Find out more here

Meet the Makers 2023 is proudly supported by the Queensland Government, Sunshine Coast Council, Moreton Bay Regional Council, Noosa Council MGA Independent Retailers and Whites IGA.