Purearth Foods in Truganina has been awarded $485,000 from the state government in an initiative to support local food producers.
Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas and Tarniet MP Sarah Connolly visited Purearth on (Tuesday, April 26) to announce the funding.
“By supporting local producers like Purearth Foods to reach their full potential we’re helping break barriers for expansion to domestic and international markets,” Ms Thomas said.
The money will be spent on acquiring and installing new processing equipment that will increase the efficiency and reduce allergen risk between dairy and plant-based products.
Ms Thomas said: “By helping companies to diversify their export markets we are backing them to grow, making them more resilient, reducing supply chain risks and supporting new jobs.”
The new equipment will also enable development of new products and increase production volume of existing lines, enabling Purearth Foods to take their milk and plant-based products to new domestic and international markets.
“This funding supports our ambitions to create new products, expand in untapped export markets and build overall supply chain resilience – benefiting our local community and suppliers,” Purearth Foods chair Lachlan Armstrong said.
The facility expansion will allow additional manufacturing capacity to support local independent brand owners and will create an additional 15 full time manufacturing jobs as well as support local supply chain partners and farmers in the long term.
“Supporting local businesses such as Purearth Foods here in Truganina is a win for everyone — creating local jobs while supporting local suppliers and transport workers in the area,” Tarneit MP Sarah Connolly said.
Purearth Foods received the funding through the state government’s $15 million Food to Market program.
Fifteen Victorian agri-food businesses have been awarded funding to assist with local projects.
