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We foster collaboration within Australia’s agrifood sector through partnerships, to drive the development of resilient and sustainable food systems

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Mission MushVroom

Mission MushVroom will be the first study to cultivate and grow mushrooms in space. Oyster mushrooms are the perfect space crop, helping astronauts meet their nutritional needs on long-duration space missions like those to Mars, while closing the loop in plant agriculture and helping to minimise inputs and waste. They are quick to grow, double in size every day, and have nutrients found across food groups, including the unique ability to make vitamin D on UV exposure- the only supplement currently given to astronauts on the International Space Station.
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QUT Robotics experts to help Queensland's banana farmers automate

Brisbane's ARM Hub, North Queensland Banana Farmers and Hort Innovation have teamed up to help growers identify opportunities to cut costs by adopting ‘continuous improvement and automation technology’.
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Banana de-handing project

Banana de-handing is a core process at all banana processing facilities. It is a repetitive and physically demanding activity that if automated, could improve processing efficiencies and provide a valuable integration point for robotics systems.
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The new home of food innovation in Western Australia

A specialised Food Science and Nutrition campus run by Murdoch University has launched at the Food Innovation Precinct WA.
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Mission MushVroom

Mission MushVroom

Mission MushVroom will be the first study to cultivate and grow mushrooms in space. Oyster mushrooms are the perfect space crop, helping astronauts meet their nutritional needs on long-duration space missions like those to Mars, while closing the loop in plant agriculture and helping to minimise inputs and waste. They are quick to grow, double in size every day, and have nutrients found across food groups, including the unique ability to make vitamin D on UV exposure- the only supplement currently given to astronauts on the International Space Station.

Flourishing through collaboration and knowledge sharing: For Food’s Sake 2025

Flourishing through collaboration and knowledge sharing: For Food’s Sake 2025

In February 2025, Coffs Harbour became the epicentre of food system innovation and connections as manufacturers, producers, businesses, researchers, and policymakers from across Australia gathered for Future Food Systems annual event, For Food’s Sake. Held from 26–28 February at Pacific Bay Resort, the three-day event featured a dynamic program, including workshops, site visits, a two-day…

Banana de-handing project

Banana de-handing project

Banana de-handing is a core process at all banana processing facilities. It is a repetitive and physically demanding activity that if automated, could improve processing efficiencies and provide a valuable integration point for robotics systems.

Meet Chris Lehnert: automation and robotics expert

QUT-based robotics engineer Dr Chris Lehnert specialises in solving commercial automation challenges, developing novel solutions for an array of real-world applications. Right now, he's developing components for high-tech vertical farm modules in a CRC collaboration with Greenbio.

Expert research team to extend Australian Tree Crop Map in $1.7m collaboration

Expert research team to extend Australian Tree Crop Map in $1.7m collaboration

University of New England mapping experts are again teaming with Hort Innovation in a significant collaboration to extend the national tree-crop map.

Meet Craig Shephard: land-use mapping expert

Meet Craig Shephard: land-use mapping expert

AARSC senior researcher Craig Shephard leads the National PC mapping project, an initiative of Protected Cropping Australia supported by Hort Innovation, UNE, LLSNSW and the CRC. He's also a keen mountain-biker.

Coffs Agrifood Living Lab

Coffs Agrifood Living Lab

The project is establishing a ‘Living Lab’ (i.e. Living Laboratory) in Coffs Harbour to design the Precinct and act as a hub where other solutions can be developed to evolve the region's agrifood ecosystem.

SIFT – Catherine McDaid

SIFT – Catherine McDaid

Catherine (Cat) McDaid serves as the Quality Assurance Manager at the Sustainable Innovative Food Technologies (SIFT) Centre in Western Australia. SIFT is a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to fostering innovation within the food and beverage sector by providing businesses with access to advanced manufacturing equipment and expert guidance.

Mission MushVroom: Australian-led experiment to grow first mushrooms in space

Mission MushVroom: Australian-led experiment to grow first mushrooms in space

Space is about to host its first crop of mushrooms in a groundbreaking experiment led by Australian company FOODiQ Global ‘Mission MushVroom’ will take place on Fram2, the first human spaceflight to explore Earth from a polar orbit launching aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as early as March 31, 2025 The experiment will test…

Bravo Gazpacho

Bravo Gazpacho

See how Bravo Gazpacho works with FFS at SIFT WA to produce their top-quality gazpacho, blending tradition with innovation for the perfect taste

Everboost

Everboost

Working together to meet a growing demand. Loic Munso, founder of Everboost Sea Moss is currently utilising SIFT to scale-up production of his Sea Moss products.

Take 5 w/ Kezia Yi Ya Hsu

Take 5 w/ Kezia Yi Ya Hsu

We caught up with Kezia Yi Ya Hsu, a third-year PhD candidate at the School of Built Environment, UNSW Sydney, to explore her research focus, anticipated outcomes, aspirations for the future and her Future Food Systems (FFS) project, Modelling a Sustainable Floor-Space Mix. Please tell us about the Future Food Systems project you are currently…

CEO update – March 2025

CEO update – March 2025

There’s been an additional amount of chatter recently around manufacturing goods here in Australia. At Future Food Systems (FFS), we continue to assist local industry through initiatives and projects that add value, foster partnerships, and help businesses unlock growth opportunities by developing collaborative ecosystems—contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agrifood sector.

Banana de-handing project

Banana de-handing project

Banana de-handing is a core process at all banana processing facilities. It is a repetitive and physically demanding activity that if automated, could improve processing efficiencies and provide a valuable integration point for robotics systems.

Mission MushVroom

Mission MushVroom

Mission MushVroom will be the first study to cultivate and grow mushrooms in space. Oyster mushrooms are the perfect space crop, helping astronauts meet their nutritional needs on long-duration space missions like those to Mars, while closing the loop in plant agriculture and helping to minimise inputs and waste. They are quick to grow, double in size every day, and have nutrients found across food groups, including the unique ability to make vitamin D on UV exposure- the only supplement currently given to astronauts on the International Space Station.

Linking leaf traits to carbohydrate profiles of wheat grains under heat stress

Linking leaf traits to carbohydrate profiles of wheat grains under heat stress

Wheat production has increased compared to previous years, but further improvements are essential to meet the needs of the growing global population. Leaf structural traits are crucial parameters in determining plant’s response and productivity under heat stress in many crops including wheat. However, the relationships among leaf structural traits, sugar and starch content, grain carbohydrate profile and heat tolerance in wheat remain unclear. This project will combine field and laboratory studies with metabolomics to investigate the link between leaf characteristics and grain quality, focusing on carbohydrate profiling. Metabolomics is a powerful tool for studying the biochemical composition of wheat grains, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) will enable identification and quantification of primary and secondary carbohydrate metabolites influenced by heat stress. This study aims to determine the significance of source-sink interactions between leaf structural traits and grain production and quality in relation to heat tolerance in wheat

Light-mediated regulation of carotenoids that enable photoprotection to boost crop performance

Light-mediated regulation of carotenoids that enable photoprotection to boost crop performance

Light altering films (LAF) offer an innovative greenhouse covering, selectively transmitting around 80% photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) while reducing heat from non-PAR wavelengths. LAFs block 85% ultraviolet (UV), 58% far-red, and 26% red light, resulting in a 19% reduction in PAR. Light intensity and spectral quality affect photoreceptor activity and physiological processes. Light plays a key role in carotenoid synthesis, with plants adapting to light fluctuations through various cellular, biochemical, and molecular adjustments. The absorbed light drives photosynthesis and dissipates excess energy via thermal mechanisms. Photosystems I and II include Chi a, Chi b, B-Carotene, and xanthophylls (Zeaxanthin, antheraxanthin, violaxanthin), which quench excess PSII energy. Variations in light quality and quantity affect xanthophyll cycling, sustaining photoprotection. Non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) is crucial for dissipating excess light energy as heat, preventing oxidative damage. Currently there is limited knowledge of how the light spectrum affects foliar photoprotection and carotenoid-mediated nonphotochemical quenching affect crop yield. This project seeks to generate new knowledge of how altering the light spectrum via Light altering films (LAFs) modulates carotenoid biosynthesis, NPQ and hence foliar photoprotection will impact crop yield in a variety specific manner.