A connected and resilient food and beverage supply chain

It has become evident that having a connected and resilient food and beverage supply chain has become more important than ever. The pandemic has exposed many vulnerabilities and most recently, multiple catastrophic events have come together to create even more disruption.

Look at the effect that staff shortages due to illness and isolation rules alone created and then add to it widespread weather catastrophes which took out the rail connecting Western Australia to the eastern states, and you have a food and beverage supply chain crisis so dramatic that shelves of major supermarkets have been stripped bare, establishments are running at losses, consumers are hesitant and uncertainty is running amok in the industry.

Supply chain disruption is one of the most important global concerns over the next 12 months according to the Allianz Risk Barometer 2022 and is something that we need to address as a local industry to strengthen and grow.

To tackle these concerns and prevent future disruptions, the Future Food Network (FFN) will facilitate connections throughout the supply chain, help establish interconnected hubs and deliver inspirational events and projects to guide the industry to a more sustainable future.  The networks core aim is to drive and support the development of a progressive and connected local food and beverage industry.

To deliver this, FFN has created an online portal, which enables all businesses that provide a service or product to the WA food and beverage to list what they do in one searchable location that covers the entire supply chain from production to distribution, marketing, packaging, and everything in between.

As business capabilities are listed, the Network is able to connect those in need to those that have excess facilities or other services that may be required. For example, a local apiarist would like to sachet their honey, but do not have the production capacity to justify the cost of the equipment. Another local apiarist has the sachet packaging equipment, but it regularly sits idle. Over time, these connections will foster more collaborations between industry to enable growth and resilience of the businesses and industry as a whole.

The online portal, aptly named the Connectory, is now active and ready for businesses to join and create a listing here. By offering memberships and standard listings for free, it allows businesses of all sizes and capabilities to showcase what they do too all.

If you would like to discuss how you can become further involved with the Future Food Network,  please reach out to Hannah Lalor (CEO) hannah@futurefoodnetwork.com.au or Jessica Bantz (COO)  jess@futurefoodnetwork.com.au.