August 20, 2025
FaBA shines at AIFST Convention
FaBA Director Dr Chris Downs has been honoured with the prestigious Keith Farrer Award for Merit at the 2025 AIFST Convention, recognising his outstanding contribution to Australia’s food and beverage sector.
Across the two-day event, FaBA researchers took centre stage, including a dynamic panel led by Professor Heather Smyth that explored how Australia can better prepare its food and beverage industry for the future.
The discussion highlighted critical challenges: over 70% of Australia’s agri-food exports are raw or minimally processed, representing a missed opportunity for value creation.
Despite 98% of Australia’s food businesses being small to medium enterprises (SMEs), only 3–5% engage with universities for research and development — a gap that must be closed to unlock innovation.
Panellists shared a compelling recipe for success:
- Partnerships matter
SMEs gain credibility, strategic direction and access to deep expertise through university collaborations. “A good university association is massively valuable for a small company – it gives huge credibility with government and it’s massive with investors,” said Rod Lewis, Extracta Founder.
- Relationships are key
When challenges arise, strong human connections help rebuild and refocus. “Personalities matter a lot. You want partners that are mutually interested in your success – and that goes both ways,” said Sally Wilson, QUT.
- Innovation is more than science
It’s about taking ideas from lab to shelf — and that requires trust, flexibility and shared goals. “Universities should see us as a partner, not a funder. Money is important but the success of the project must be at the centre,” said Dr Minh Ha, v2food.
FaBA Innovative Ingredients Program Lead Professor Mark Turner also led a forward-looking discussion on the technologies shaping the future of food.
Generative AI, advanced fermentation and bold investment were identified as key to unlocking innovations in areas like precision fermentation and plant molecular farming.
Australia’s strengths — world-class research, agricultural expertise and abundant feedstock — were identified as being key to positioning the nation as a global leader in next-generation food and beverage innovation.