The Northern Adelaide Plains is one of Australia’s premier food production regions located on the fringe of Adelaide. The Stretton Centre has undertaken a range of activities in collaboration with industry, government and universities to promote growth and enhance the profile of the area.
To increase the profile of the Northern Adelaide Plains the Stretton Centre has undertaken the following projects:
Everyday Gourmet showcases the Northern Adelaide Plains
The Stretton Centre has partnered with the City of Playford and Network 10’s ‘Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield,’ to showcase the premium quality and diverse range of produce and products in the Northern Adelaide Plains.
With the television series broadcast nationally across Australia and internationally to 69 countries, the Stretton Centre and City of Playford identified the series as a method to expose Northern Adelaide Plains’ businesses to countries that have been identified as key export markets for our food and beverage business community.
In season nine of ‘Everyday Gourmet with Justine Schofield,’ the following Northern Adelaide Plains’ businesses feature in the series:
- Boutique distillery Virginia Spirits which has been gaining national acclaim, with five Australian Distilled Spirit Awards and four SIP International Spirit Awards under its belt for the 36 Short range;
- Traditional land-based open-field farm, T. Musolino & Co who have also diversified their business to include innovative cauliflower and sweet potato rice sold under their brand, Healthy Heart Produce;
- One of Australia’s largest greenhouse farming businesses, P’Petual, who produce a variety of tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants under the brand Ausfresh; and
- The second-largest privately owned mushroom farm in South Australia, SA Mushrooms, who have recently released Rosetta’s Mushroom Cream Sauce, made with the freshest mushrooms from the farm and 100 percent natural ingredients.
The Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster
The Stretton Centre has been leading work to bring focus on collaboration within the Northern Adelaide Plains region to create an industry-led approach which will result in an enhanced profile and greater economic outcomes for the region.
Recognising the importance of the Northern Adelaide Plains as a food region that produces approximately 200,000 tonnes of fresh produce and over $306 million in farm gate value annually, the Stretton Centre in collaboration with Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) explored the potential impact of a cluster in the region, ultimately establishing a cluster. Clusters have been recognised worldwide for their ability to create growth within a defined geographical region.
In collaboration with industry and other stakeholders an independent consultant was engaged to conduct a regional survey. A range of potential areas of common interest were identified from the survey that could form the basis of work for the cluster.
To date the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster has undertaken the following projects:
- Coordinated an industry dinner entitled, ‘A Discussion on our Region’s Future’;
- Development of a Northern Adelaide Plains website; and
- Development of a strategic plan for the Northern Adelaide Plains.
This initiative was developed through a partnership between Primary Industries and Regions South Australia, the City of Playford and Stretton Centre.
The Northern Adelaide Plains produces approximately 200,000 tonnes of fresh produce and over $306 million in farm gate value annually.
Industry Dinner
To promote the establishment of the Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster, the Stretton Centre held an industry dinner entitled ‘A Discussion on our Region’s Future’ on 1 June 2018. The event promoted collaboration, and provided insight into the potential development of regional export markets, the development of a regional labour plan and increased business growth.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development The Hon. Tim Whetstone MP addressed a crowd of over 170 people, comprised of horticulture industry members, government delegates, academics and industry consultants. The dinner generated an interest in what a collaborative future could look like for the Northern Adelaide Plains.
Overwhelming support was received by all parties in attendance for the development of a cluster to address common issues across the region. Refer to Northern Adelaide Plains Food Cluster below.
