Industry Update ~  Issue 39 ~  June 2019
Industry Update is a monthly e-newsletter that forms part of the 
Industry  Communication project. I f you think we have missed anything, or you have any feedback on the articles,  we would be more than happy to hear from you.

A full report on marketing activities will be available in the next edition of the Australian Mushrooms Journal, which is due out shortly.
Growing Innovation

The latest edition of the Hort Innovation e-newsletter,  Growing Innovation  is now available.  The issue covers a range of topics including:
  • The development of a statement of commitment between Hort Innovation and industry representative bodies.
  • Horticulture sustainability report.
  • Latest Minor Use Permits.
  • Applications for the Masterclass in Horticultural Business.
  • Links to Final Reports and industry resources.

New Projects

A Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued by Hort Innovation for the following mushroom industry project:
  • MU18006 - Development of a Biosecurity plan for Australian Mushrooms.
Australian Mushrooms do not have a current biosecurity plan to assist it in preparing for exotic incursions or for dealing with endemic pests and diseases. The planning will provide a mechanism for industry, government and other stakeholders to prioritise biosecurity threats to the industry and implement strategies to mitigate these risks.
Proposals are due by 5.00pm on 6 August 2019. 

The successful tenderer will be announced in October, with work on the five-year project scheduled to commence in November 2019.

Further details including the RFP is available from www.tenders.net
______________________________________________
Strategic Investment Advisory Panel

The next meeting of the SIAP will take place in Melbourne from 30-31 July 2019. 

To stay up to date with SIAP activities, please use this  LINK  to view a full list of meeting summaries.  If you have any questions related to the operations of the SIAP please contact Hort Innovation Industry Relationship Manager, John Vatikiotis - 0429 022 637 or  via email .  
_________________________________________________________________________

New fresh produce food safety guidelines released
 
The Guidelines for Fresh Produce Food Safety 2019 have been released by the the Fresh Produce Safety Centre A-NZ. These Guidelines set out the procedures and steps to prevent or deal with contaminations and covers a comprehensive list of practices and potential hazards to assist growers, packers, transporters, wholesalers and retailers along the supply chain. The Guidelines were developed through the expertise and knowledge of the Fresh Produce Safety Centre A-NZ's technical committee and can be viewed online or downloaded HERE. 
A snapshot of mushroom news

Mushrooms in the News is a quick snapshot of news relevant to mushrooms. It could be a great recipe, a healthy reference, some research findings or some mushroom industry coverage. When we find it we will post it to the site and include it in the Monthly Update. If you have any comments or find anything that has been missed, please email and let us know.

 
Magnificent Mushrooms -  Another day, another good story on research linking mushrooms to improved human health. This article highlights a recent research study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, showing that those who consumed over two portions of mushrooms per week had reduced odds of having mild cognitive impairment.  According to the study, neurodegeneration is delayed by the bioactive compounds in mushrooms, making it a smart choice to add more mushrooms to everyday meals.
 
Plant-based diet trend drives consumer demand for alternative mushrooms -  The increasing popularity of plant-based diets is pushing consumer demand for alternative mushrooms as consumers seek nutritious meat substitutes. Victorian mushroom farmer Jason Crosbie harvests 40kg of shiitake, king brown, oyster mushrooms and lion's mane mushrooms every week and says demand is increasing among diet-conscious consumers. Australian Mushroom Growers Association chairman, Tim Adlington noted many of the alternative mushrooms were consumed mainly for their health benefits in China and across Asia with social media leading to an increase in their popularity across Australia.

6 Foods to Eat to Help Prevent the Flu -  Given the amount of research suggesting strong links between eating mushrooms and improved human health, it is always pleasing to see health professionals helping to spread the mushroom message. This time it is the Geelong Medical Group, who pick up on the immunity-boosting power of mushrooms, calling out winter as the time for mushrooms. The article suggests that mushrooms have antiviral properties to help strengthen your body against the flu virus. Good news at any time of the year.
 
NZ mushroom company leads the charge in sustainable packaging -  New Zealand mushroom producer, Meadow Mushrooms is leading the charge to sustainable packaging, turning mushroom waste from stalks into punnets. The article suggests it is a complex process, with the company trialling several different methodologies. The company is optimistic and is looking at how to scale the process for its business. If successful, the punnets are expected to go on shelves next year. Additional articles on this topic can be found HERE and HERE.

Additional Links of interest

Copyright © Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited 2019