The NSW Government is helping specialist food and drink businesses from across NSW take centre stage at Fine Food Australia to be held in Sydney next month - showcasing their products at the largest industry event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. 

Following an expression of interest process, the NSW Government has provided subsidies of $4,500 each to 18 unique food and beverage manufacturers from Greater Sydney and Regional NSW, including producers of sauces, spirits, chocolates and spices, who will exhibit within the ‘Flavours of NSW’ zone at the tradeshow. 

Two of the 18 manufacturers are from the Northern Rivers: Aurum Mead, Gather By and Mindful Foods.

Around 25,000 trade visitors from over 50 countries will converge on the International Convention Centre (ICC) from 8-11 September, providing a prime opportunity for NSW businesses to connect with interstate and international buyers, secure distribution partnerships and explore export markets. 

In 2023-24 NSW produced 45.6 billion revenue in the manufactured food and beverage industry, making it the largest manufacturing sector in NSW, comprising of 4,600 businesses.  

Business support and trade experts from the NSW Government will be on hand to help the exhibitors showcase their products and facilitate connections with prospective buyers.   

The NSW Government’s support for Fine Food Australia aligns with the local manufacturing mission of the NSW Industry Policy, while agrifood is a focus sector in the NSW Trade and Investment Strategy, providing significant export growth opportunities particularly in Southeast Asia.

For more information on Fine Food Australia visit: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/why-nsw/focus-sectors/manufacturing/food-and-beverage-manufacturing/flavours-of-nsw-2025/fine-food-australia-2025

The NSW businesses receiving subsidies to exhibit at Fine Food Australia 2025 are:  

• Alka Power Water: Producer of alkaline water sourced and bottled in NSW’s Southern Highlands 
• Aurum Mead: A Byron Bay producer of wines made from varietal honey and native ingredients.   
• Chef Luca Ciano: Producer of sauces, pasta and salad dressings, based in Bondi.  
• Chief Nutrition: Sydney-based producer of beef jerky, collagen bars and snacks.  
• Choices Gluten-Free: Sydney-based producer of gluten-free baked goods, including breads and cakes.  
• Dharawal Distilling Co: First Nations producer of native vodka and gins, based in the Illawarra.    
• Duro Pasta: Based on the South Coast, Duro Pasta is made from 100% Australian durum wheat and produced using sustainable farming practices.  
• Gather By: Northern Rivers based producer of Australian Manuka Honey and Manuka gummies.  
• Healthyroo: Producer of protein powder blends, protein bars and shakes from Sydney’s Northern Beaches.  
• Karu Distillery: Produces a diverse range of gins, rums and vodkas from its distillery in the Blue Mountains.  
• Kreenuts: Family-owned business in Sydney, producing chocolate and cookie covered peanuts.  
• Mindful Foods: Producer of organic and activated granolas, nuts and snacks, based in the Northern Rivers  
• Nimbus: Sydney-based producer of powdered oat and soy milk.  
• Nunka. Hampers & Gifts: First Nations business in Penrith, producing native sauces, jams, compote and blends.  
• Pacdon Park: Based in the Murray region and uses local ingredients to produce British foods including black pudding, scotch eggs and haggis.  
• Rub-A-Dub: Sydney-based producer of seasonings, rubs and sauces.  
• Spicevine: Sydney-based producer of gluten free vegan marinades, stir-fry pastes and sauces.  
• The Honey Library & Meadery: Producer of alcoholic mead, creamed honey, chilli honey and raw liquid honey, based on the Central Coast.  

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said, “Fine Food Australia is an incredible platform for our up-and-coming food and beverage manufacturers to showcase their unique products, connect with buyers, and pursue growth opportunities both domestically and internationally.  

“The NSW Government has been involved in this annual tradeshow for over 20 years, helping to grow our world-class food and beverage industry.

“From spirits to sauces, from jams to jerky, we’re delighted to support our exhibiting businesses and their exceptional products that are made right here in NSW.”

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “Regional NSW is the engine room of the state’s agrifood industry, home to thousands of food and beverage businesses, and many more jobs. 

“Our producers lead the way in terms of innovation and ingenuity, with many utilising native ingredients and sustainable ingredients to bring their products to life.  

“Protecting our food’s excellent reputation is critical to domestic consumption and international trade and that is a key driver for the Minns Government’s recent historic investment in biosecurity plus primary industries research and development. 

“Fine Food Australia is one of the biggest trade events in the industry and is unrivalled when it comes to connecting with key players in the industry and I wish our producers all the best in promoting their goods.” 

Chef Luca Ciano said, "Cooking has always been about family, tradition, and quality for me. Growing up in Italy, I learned the art of creating fresh pastas and sauces from my family, who instilled in me the values of using the freshest ingredients and time-honoured techniques.

"With the support of the NSW Government, I am excited to showcase our products at Fine Food Australia and connect with international distributors, retailers, and investors who value quality as much as I do. 

"It presents a fantastic opportunity to introduce our products to new markets, grow our brand, and help us to share our passion for fresh, quality ingredients with the world."

Mindful Foods Director Jordan Epstein said, “Mindful Foods is thrilled to be exhibiting at Fine Food Australia to feature our wide range of Organic & Activated Granolas, Nuts, Snacks & herbal teas with an audience of B2B buyers across the health food, independent grocery and food service channels. 

“Mindful Foods is actively exploring export opportunities into new markets, so Fine Food Australia will be a great platform to meet international buyers and share the special story behind each of our delicious products!”