Thank you to our very own Lou Zarro for joining us to discuss FoodINC and the food and beverage space!
Lou is Manager of our kitchen and food incubator, a partnership bringing together the facilities, expertise and networks of MIC, Melbourne Polytechnic and the Melbourne North Food Group, which aims to springboard the next generation of food business success stories in the region.
What does FoodINC offer?
At the Food Incubator + Network Centre, we offer a comprehensive launching pad for food businesses in the early and growth stage of the establishment cycle. Not only can business owners access commercial kitchen infrastructure, but also our pillars of support for training, professional development, advice and mentoring.
In short, we offer a network of services for food entrepreneurs—far more than commercial kitchen rental.
Who does it support?
FoodINC supports any food business looking to launch or grow a new venture, investment or product. Our structures will be best suited to businesses aiming to launch a consumer-packaged or value-added good, be it a craft/artisanal, functional, or mainstream product.
We’ll also take bookings for the kitchen from established food businesses and hope to make the space available for food stylists/photographers/ad agencies for campaigns too.
How can people sign up/get involved?
Our website foodincubator.com.au is the best platform to stay updated on our offering and to connect with us.
What trends are you seeing in the food and beverage space? Both in Melbourne and abroad?
COVID-19 has shaken up hospitality and retail, and combined with the ongoing growth of platforms like Easi, Deliveroo and UberEats, this has infused the food and beverage space with a lot of new energy. It has seeded new entrepreneurship, the local artisan/craft food economy, and with it, an increase in ghost/dark kitchens that exclusively service web-based food vendors. It has also prompted new commerce and marketing tools that support these innovative food businesses.
What other support is available in Melbourne’s North?
Melbourne’s North has a vibrant, rich history especially around commercialising culturally diverse food. Melbourne’s North Food Group is the industry association of relevance for our region and are a wealth of information.
Your top 5 tips for someone starting a food business
Great question. Each food business is unique, so some key messages are:
Remember when planning your return on investment to factor your own salary into your costing!
Note that you don’t necessarily need to be on the “tools” yourself and that contract manufacturing is a viable option—but it does require significant diligence and planning
Leverage the professional development and training that your Council’s local economic development team and their partners have for small business founders
Do your homework on food safety and all its aspects. Connecting with your local Council’s economic development team is a great start, and do some research to see if there is a local food incubator (like FoodINC) to assist you on your journey.
Bring a healthy dose passion, flair and authenticity to your product. It sounds simple, but don’t try to make and sell a product you yourself wouldn’t happily buy and eat.