SOUTHERN FORESTS FOOD COUNCIL CHARTS NEW CHAPTER AS FUNDING WRAPS UP

After generating more than $6.1 million in additional economic value to the region in 2023-24, the Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) has received formal advice that the State Government will not provide further operational funding.

As it stands, the SFFC is utilising its own limited resources to operate through to the end of the year. Without ongoing funding, the organisation will not be able to continue operating in its current form beyond this time, and the Committee of Management is now carefully considering what this means for the SFFC’s future.

In the meantime, the SFFC remains focused on delivering its current commitments and exploring how it might manage a responsible transition that preserves the networks, assets and regional identity built over more than 14 years of sustained collaboration.

"We want to be straightforward with our members and community about where things stand," said SFFC Acting Chair Monica Radomiljac. "The State Government has been a significant supporter of the SFFC over many years, and we are genuinely grateful for that investment. At the same time, we are disappointed that funding will not continue, because the reality is that the SFFC cannot continue in its current form without ongoing investment."

“This comes at a time when regional communities and primary industries are already navigating considerable challenges. Organisations like the SFFC play an important role in connecting businesses and growers, building capability, and supporting regional resilience, so there is a lot for us to consider carefully over the coming months.”

The SFFC recently invited members and stakeholders to share their views through a Future Directions survey. The findings were clear. An overwhelming 97% rated the SFFC's role in connecting, communicating and facilitating as providing high or moderate value - the strongest result across all measures.

Close behind, 91% rated the Genuinely Southern Forests brand as providing high or moderate value, with 72% describing continuation of the brand as important or critical. Industry advocacy and representation was rated highly by 89% of respondents, and 83% valued the Southern Forests Young Growers network.

Notably, while members see the SFFC as relevant to their own businesses, the strongest pattern across the survey was its perceived relevance to the Southern Forests region as a whole - reinforcing that what has been built here belongs to the community, not just the organisation.

When asked what should be protected and preserved, the Genuinely Southern Forests brand and regional identity emerged particularly strongly, alongside maintaining a regional voice, supporting the next generation, and sustaining the connections and relationships that run across the local industry.

Planning Forward

The SFFC Committee of Management has been clear that the organisation is not simply running down its remaining resources. Active planning is underway to identify how the things members value most can be preserved and carried forward in a sustainable form.

The SFFC is proud of what has been achieved through the partnership between growers, industry, government and community over the past 14 years. Significant State Government investment helped establish and grow the SFFC, enabling the development of the Genuinely Southern Forests brand, industry capability programs, economic development initiatives, and a next generation of growers through the Southern Forests Young Growers network.

A legacy series is also underway to document and celebrate what the Southern Forests region has built through 14 years of sustained collaboration – a shared regional identity and brand, stronger industry connections, new markets and opportunities, investment in promotion, innovation and resilience, and support for regional events and the next generation. It is a story of what is possible when growers, industry, Government, and community work together.

Staying Connected

The SFFC will continue to keep members and the community informed as transition planning progresses. Members with questions, thoughts or who simply want to talk through the process are welcome to contact Laura at laura@southernforestsfood.com. 

Contact:  Laura Bolitho Southern Forests Food Council  laura@southernforestsfood.com  Website: http://www.southernforestsfood.com Facebook: Genuinely Southern Forests Instagram: @genuinelysouthernforests LinkedIn: Southern Forests Food Council

BACKGROUND

Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC): 

The Southern Forests Food Council (SFFC) was established in 2010 by local producers who recognised the diversity, quality and potential of food and agriculture in the Southern Forests. Its role was formalised in 2012 with significant investment from the Western Australian State Government as part of the Shire of Manjimup’s Agricultural Expansion Project.

The SFFC has benefited from significant State Government investment over the past 14 years, alongside the longstanding support, advocacy and financial commitment of the Shire of Manjimup. State Government operational funding concluded on 30 June 2026, with the SFFC subsequently receiving formal advice that no further operational funding will be provided.

Today, the SFFC supports food and agricultural businesses across the Southern Forests, working collaboratively with producers, industry, government, and community through industry development, advocacy, market development, innovation, resilience and capacity building. The SFFC is also custodian of the Genuinely Southern Forests regional food brand, promoting the region’s people, produce, and provenance.

The Southern Forests is one of Western Australia’s most diverse food-producing regions, producing more than 50 different foods and beverages, from fresh fruit and vegetables, truffles and premium meats to dairy, wine and specialty products. Agriculture and food and beverage manufacturing across the Shires of Manjimup, Nannup, and Bridgetown-Greenbushes generate approximately $750 million in economic output annually and support more than 1,400 direct jobs.

An independent economic assessment undertaken in 2025 estimated that SFFC activities generated approximately $6.1 million in additional economic value in 2023–24 alone, including approximately $3 million attributable to the value of the Genuinely Southern Forests brand.