Coles Group, a leading food and grocery chain in Australia, has announced the Coles Nurture Fund to support Australian producers and manufacturers. The proceeds will help them come up with new products and technologies and start using more environmentally friendly methods.

The Coles Nurture Fund is now accepting applications from small to medium-sized businesses. Eligible companies must have less than 50 full-time employees, annual revenue of less than $25 million, and innovative ideas. The fund will provide grants of up to $500,000 to selected businesses.

Sally Fielke, General Manager of Corporate and Indigenous Affairs at Coles Group, said the fund was assisting Australian producers in bringing their ideas to life.

“Since 2015, the Coles Nurture Fund has committed more than $30 million in financial support to more than 90 Australian producers, helping them transform their infrastructure, reduce waste, become more energy efficient, and install new equipment to support greater volumes of fresh produce,” Sally said.

"This year, we want to make it possible for more businesses to invest in projects that spur innovation and make their farms and facilities more environmentally friendly."

The Coles Nurture Fund has already provided funding for a vacuum truck to collect manure to turn into renewable energy, Australia's first quinoa processing plant, and a high-tech factory to grow grass indoors.

National Farmers Federation CEO Tony Mahar said innovation and sustainability were two key pillars that would drive the farm sector’s future success.

“Australia’s farm sector has such exciting opportunities ahead as we pursue our ambition to become Australia’s next $100 billion industry,” Tony said.

“We know that innovation and sustainability are critical to the future of Australian farming, and it’s great to see this investment helping farmers innovate and grow their businesses.”

Endhill is a beef producer in Victoria, Australia. In 2018, the Coles Nurture Fund gave Endhill a $400,000 grant. With the grant, Endhill was able to buy new equipment to harvest lucerne and turn it into pellets for feeding cattle. The new technology made it easier for the company to supplement grass for their cattle because it made it easier to store and use feed.

Endhill's General Manager, Dane Martin, encouraged other producers to apply for funding from the Coles Nurture Fund, saying, “Without the Coles Nurture Fund, we probably wouldn’t have been able to get this project off the ground. I certainly would encourage other producers to apply for Coles Nurture if they have an innovative idea or a plan to become a more sustainable business.”

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Source: Coles

To apply for Round 11 of the Coles Nurture Fund, log onto www.coles.com.au/nurturefund. Applications close at 5 pm AEST on Friday, 24 February 2023.