Six innovative organic growers from Victoria, Queensland and NSW will receive financial support from Coles to help meet the surging demand for organic produce.
The latest grants take the total financial support provided by the Coles Nurture Fund to $30 million.
Coles group CEO Steven Cain said the retailer was proud to support new innovative and sustainable projects and expand local production, while also reducing emissions.
“We’re delighted to have now awarded $30 million in financial support to more than 90 Australian producers through the Coles Nurture Fund to help drive innovation and generational sustainability on Australian farms and in production facilities,” he said.
The six new recipients of grants are:
Queensland business Mt Alma Organics will receive $300,000 to purchase and install new equipment for grading, washing and sorting produce.
Victorian family business Peninsula Fresh Organics will receive $300,000 which will help transform the irrigation system at its farms in Barham, NSW, and Baxter, Victoria.
Tasmanian lamb and horticulture business Elansco will build an undercover animal management facility to improve the welfare, handling and management of lambs in winter.
To help enhance Coles’ carbon-neutral beef range, cattle producer Jalna Feedlot will get a $300,000 grant to help install two solar power systems to reduce emissions in their production of beef.
Agricultural Networks from Queensland will receive $189,000 to build a new packing and distribution facility in Gatton to increase the intake of produce volumes from local growers.
South Australian farmers McMahon Family Enterprises will use $490,000 to construct effluent ponds to manage its waste, implement a micro turbine technology and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
