$100,000 CRISP Grant for Fruit Packing Line

03-Jun-2010

A new $1.263 million Fruit Packing Line at Patties Foods in Bairnsdale in regional Victoria has been awarded a $100,000 Victorian Government grant for training and skills development.

The Parliamentary Secretary for Regional and Rural Development, Industry and Trade, Ms Jaala Pulford, MP, today announced the funding of a Community Regional Industry Skills Program (CRISP) grant to Patties Foods at the state-of-the-art facility.

The new Fruit Packing Line will pack frozen fruit and berry products for Patties Foods brands Creative Gourmet and Chefs Pride. Patties Foods moved the function from Silverwater in NSW to harness the economies of scale and synergies at its Bairnsdale production facility.

The move has created another 26 jobs at the Bairnsdale plant, giving a significant boost to the local economy.

Managing Director, Mr Greg Bourke, said the CRISP grant was an important contribution to the facility’s successful operation.

“I’d like to acknowledge the assistance of the Victorian Government’s $100,000 grant which has helped make this relocation possible.

“Patties Foods is committed to skills development and training for our staff, and the CRISP initiative helps us to achieve production excellence in regional Victoria”, Mr Bourke said.