Centre for Food Innovation

The Centre for Food Innovation (CFI), which opened in April 2013, brings together the expertise of scientists from DST Group, the University of Tasmania and the CSIRO.

A collaborative agreement signed by the three partners enables them to initiate joint research projects and link into national food research networks.

Of specific interest to Defence is CFI research and its extension into food processing and packaging technologies that can produce innovative fresh-like, shelf-stable foods. Also of interest is the development, testing and evaluation of specialised foods for high-performance activities.

The CFI provides a setting in which knowledge about Defence food and nutrition needs can be combined with knowledge about commercial food products and, through working with industry, new and innovative products developed. The focus will be on dual-use products, i.e. those that would be suitable for both acquisition by Defence for its combat ration packs and able to be sold commercially.

In addition to broadening and extending DST’s food research base through collaboration, CFI is expected to boost local agricultural activity and encourage local food processer involvement in the production of Defence ration pack components.

See the Centre for Food Innovation website for more information.