Grow National: Seed to Sprout - Food & Beverage Business Fundamentals (Half Day Workshop)
Description
Seed to Sprout is a practical, half-day fundamentals workshop designed for food and beverage businesses who want to build strong commercial and operational foundations before taking the next step in growth.
Delivered as part of the Grow National program, this session focuses on the real-world realities of running a viable food business - balancing hands-on production with sound commercial decision-making, without losing sight of food safety, profitability, or long-term scalability.
Across the morning, participants will work through core concepts using real-world examples and FAN’s fictional FAN Kitchen case study, translating complex ideas into clear, practical insights that can be applied immediately.
What you'll learn:
Participants will gain practical tools and confidence to:
Understand the true cost of making food and where margins are won or lost
Balance production demands with strategic business decisions
Build confidence in pricing, cost structures, and commercial conversations
Identify common pitfalls for early-stage producers and how to avoid them
This is a hands-on, discussion-led session designed to support clearer thinking, stronger decisions, and more sustainable growth.
Cost: A nominal fee to cover room hire, facilitators and catering (tea/coffee, morning tea)
What to bring: Something to take notes with and a pen. If you prefer working digitally, feel free to bring your laptop or tablet. Come ready to think through your numbers and ask questions specific to your business.
Thanks also go to Sunshine Coast Council, Noosa Council, City of Moreton Bay Council, and Regional Development Australia Moreton Bay and Sunshine Coast for their ongoing support of FAN and these workshops.
Welcome to our Food & Agribusiness Network event! We're delighted to capture and share the moments that reflect the spirit of our community. Your presence may feature on our digital platforms as we celebrate this shared experience. If you'd prefer not to be photographed or filmed, please let a FAN team member know. Our goal is to ensure a positive experience for all!
Facilitators
Bernard Parker
Bernard brings deep experience in food manufacturing, food safety, and business systems. He works closely with food producers to help them understand how operations, compliance, and commercial decisions connect — and where small changes can make a big difference.
Will Nicholl
Will is the owner of Maleny Cuisine and a trusted advisor to food businesses across Australia. He specialises in cost structures, pricing, and commercial strategy, helping producers get clear on their numbers and make confident decisions as they scale.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
