Food, wine on the table

The State Government has helped secure a major international trade event likely to boost investment, create jobs and cement Victoria’s place as a food and wine capital.

Melbourne will host Global Table – the largest food business event in Australia’s history – in September next year.

The event will involve more than 5000 participants.

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford announced the coup, which will involve a series of internationally focused business events that promote Australia as the destination for investors and traders to connect with business leaders from across the Asia Pacific.

Visitors will attend a diverse program of events in Melbourne and across regional Victoria that meet the needs of audiences, including researchers, retailers, entrepreneurs, food buyers and investors.

Ms Pulford said it would position Australia as an ‘exciting destination to discover innovation, technology and new food products’.

Food and Wine Victoria will present the event – drawing on its expertise from the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival — as part of the government’s $15-million Taste Victoria program.

Organisers have already confirmed they will partner with Seeds&chips – The Global Food Innovation Summit – the world’s leading food innovation event.

Taste Victoria will bolster the state’s thriving food and fibre industry and help Victoria grow its presence in the global food market and capture export opportunities.

A growing food and fibre markets program will be key to the concept, which aims to grow and safeguard Victoria’s high-quality, premium exports.

Ms Pulford said Victoria was the food and wine capital of Australia.

“We’re proud to lead the way – not only in food and fibre exports, but in bringing the largest food business and trade event right here to Victoria,” she said.

Trade and Investment Minister Philip Dalidakis said as a government, it had set an ambitious target to grow food and fibre exports to $2-billion by 2030.

Food and Wine Victoria chairman Radek Sali said Melbourne was the ideal destination for the ‘globally important’ event.

“From our farms, wineries, breweries and laboratories to our cafes, markets, restaurants and bars, I’ve got no doubt international visitors will be impressed by what they experience during Global Table,” he said.