International buying mission – Meet the buyers

Melbourne’s North Food Group, in partnership with Export Connect, is excited to host key buyers from Pandurasa Kharisma Indonesia, Gourmet Partner Malaysia and Annam Gourmet Vietnam on an inbound buying mission to Melbourne on Monday 15 August 2022. The International buying mission is held in conjunction with the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Government of South Australia and the New South Wales Government. Register…

A Brite Future

MNFG partner creates a breakfast with impact Five years ago, Brite had never thought about food manufacturing. Today, thanks to the assistance of MNFG, Brite Muesli is sold in selected IGA/Ritchies supermarkets across Melbourne and has just started exporting to Malaysia. Brite is a social enterprise in Broadmeadows that provides genuine employment for 150 people…

Investing In Research To Grow Our Agriculture Sector

Investing in research to grow our agriculture sector A Victorian Government funding boost will back La Trobe University to develop cutting-edge food and agriculture research for the benefit of industry now and in the future. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas was at La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus today to announce $10 million in funding for…

Co-working spaces designed to help businesses grow

Co-working spaces designed to help businesses grow When the original wool mill was built in Brunswick in the 1930s, no one would have guessed that almost 100 years later Melbourne’s North Food Group sponsor John Kallitsas would turn it into a top of the range, environmentally sustainable co-working and events space. After seeing the opportunity…

La Trobe’s new $23m science and technology metacentre

This first half of 2021 is shaping up to be a busy and exciting time in Melbourne’s north.  A range of initiatives have been put in motion to tackle and strengthen the region’s economy, including growth in innovation, research, jobs and training.  A newly funded innovation metacentre at La Trobe University will boost business access…

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MNFG partners win at Northern Business Achievement Awards

Five MNFG partners won awards at the 2020 Northern Business Achievement Awards Grand Finale on Thursday 3 December 2020. The online event recognised the persistence and resilience of businesses in 2020 and celebrated the achievements of industries across the region. Attendees from government, education, industry and health joined the event to show their support to…

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How to save on costs through group buying

Melbourne’s North Buying Group Businesses that take part in group buying benefit from significant cost savings, reduced time sourcing suppliers and increased confidence that they are receiving value for money. Melbourne’s North Food Group and NORTH Link have partnered with Fulcrum Procurement to deliver group buying opportunities through the MN Buying Group. The Buying Group…

Floridia Cheese family photo

Floridia Cheese to improve staff workload with new system

Melbourne’s North Food Group partner Floridia Cheese has developed a secure milk payment system thanks to a Melbourne Polytechnic student project facilitated through the North and West Melbourne Data Analytics Hub and the Northern Industry Student Placement Program. The project is planned to be implemented company-wide to better organise data and provide more accurate calculations,…

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Business reviews help MNFG companies grow

Business reviews conducted by MNFG highlight the different challenges faced by companies and identify ‘growth blockers’ that impede success. Results have been used to develop MNFG webinar workshop topics for the future. Analysis of business review results found common themes that were limiting the potential for business growth. They included low cash flow, lack of…

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MNFG success stories

Despite the significant impact of COVID-19 on our industry, a number of MNFG partner businesses have found new opportunities through collaboration while others continue to receive industry recognition for excellence. MNFG partners are collaborating on projects that demonstrate creativity and the benefits of supporting each other. For example, Il Nonno teamed up with That’s Amore…

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Introducing the Melbourne’s North Buying Group

Businesses that take part in group buying benefit from significant cost savings, reduced time sourcing suppliers and increased confidence that they are receiving value for money. Melbourne’s North Food Group has partnered with Fulcrum Procurement to deliver group buying opportunities through the MN Buying Group.  The Buying Group is exclusive to MNFG partners and is reducing external…

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MNFG provides vital information for business

Melbourne’s North Food Group has initiated a weekly e-news bulletin to ensure partners receive up-to-the-minute information and advice on dealing with COVID-19 restrictions and regulations. The update draws on MNFG’s government, education and industry network to supply food and beverage businesses, partners and supporters with timely information. Its goal is to centralise COVID-19 information and…

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Privacy Policy

NORTH Link and Melbourne’s North Food Group believe that the responsible handling of personal and health information is a key aspect of governance and is strongly committed to protecting an individual’s right to privacy.   Accordingly, NORTH Link is committed to full compliance with its obligations under the Information Privacy Act 2000 (the Victorian Privacy Act) and…

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Geographic Indicators: Update

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade asked the public to submit objection letters to help identify Australian industry and stakeholder interests. These objections will be used by the Australian Government to form their arguments to the European Union. Submissions closed on 13 November 2019. MNFG worked closely with our partners to put together a…

Bedford HiCity employees celebrate in group photo

Bedford Group HiCity

Food and beverage producers eager to impress customers with quality packaging while making a positive social contribution have found the answer through their Bedford HiCity partnership. Bedford HiCity offers employment, training and accommodation to support a happy and fulfilling life for people with disabilities, while delivering a high quality service to its clients. Bedford’s involvement…

Floridia Cheese, Dairy Australia and Madeleine King

Australian cheese industry threatened under new trade agreement

Australian cheese makers may be facing a re-branding nightmare if the European Union succeeds in including Geographic Indications in the new Free Trade Agreement with Australia. Under GI, Australian businesses are restricted from labelling their cheeses after regions the cheese originates from. This includes cheeses such as feta and parmesan. GIs could also extend as…

AVS Organic Foods product range

AVS Organic Foods

MNFG partner AVS Organic Foods is taking advantage of a shift in public perception to bring their range of plant-based foods to the general public. Melissa Murphy-Webster is the proud director, chief cheese maker, accountant, marketer and founder of plant-based food manufacturer AVS Organic Foods. Located in Watsonia North, within Melbourne’s thriving food manufacturing region,…

Maurizio Marcocci speaking at the Melbourne's North Food Group business briefing and networking forum

MNFG business briefing and networking event

Growth, diversification and the challenges faced by a successful family business over 50 years were the focus of a talk by University Food Group’s Managing Director Maurizio Marcocci at the most recent MNFG Business Briefing and Networking Forum, held at Uni Hill Conference Centre Bundoora in May. Over 40 businesses from the Melbourne’s North Food…