Coles Nurture Fund Supporting Off-Grid Installations

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The Coles Nurture Fund: Supporting Australian Farmers and Innovators

The Coles Nurture Fund is an initiative established by Coles Supermarkets to support Australian farmers, producers, and innovators in developing sustainable and innovative farming practices. Launched in April 2015, the fund provides grants and interest-free loans to help farmers and food producers improve their processes, adopt new technologies, and develop products.

By providing financial support to small and medium-sized businesses, the fund aims to:

  1. Promote Sustainability: Encourage environmentally friendly farming practices that help mitigate the impact of climate change, conserve water, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency.
  2. Boost Productivity: Support projects that increase the productivity and profitability of farms and food producers, helping to secure the future of Australia’s agricultural sector.
  3. Encourage Innovation: Help businesses invest in new technologies, equipment, and processes that enhance their capabilities and allow them to grow.
  4. Support Regional Communities: Provide funding to businesses that operate in regional areas, contributing to the economic vitality and resilience of local communities.

Who Can Apply?

The Coles Nurture Fund is designed to support small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Australia. Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be an Australian-owned business
  • Engaged in food or drink production
  • Have a turnover of less than $25 million annually
  • Have been in business for more than 2 years

Funding and Projects

Grants and interest-free loans of up to $500,000 are provided to eligible businesses. These funds can be used for a wide range of projects, including:

  • Sustainable farming practices: Initiatives that reduce water usage, lower carbon emissions, or improve biodiversity.
  • Technology and innovation: Investment in robotics, automation, precision agriculture, and other advanced farming techniques.
  • Product development: Projects aimed at creating new, high-quality, and sustainable food products.
  • Energy efficiency: Transitioning to renewable energy sources such as solar power or improving energy efficiency on farms.

Notable Off-Grid Energy Australia Projects Supported by the Fund

Since its inception, the Coles Nurture Fund has supported over 100 Australian businesses with more than $30 million in funding. Here are some examples of Off-Grid Energy Australia’s clients that have benefited from the initiative:

Edson Piggery

Tepko, SA

The Edson family from Tepko, South Australia, secured a $450,000 grant to install an off-grid solar system that will fully power their piggery. This project made them one of the first pork producers in Australia to rely entirely on sustainable, natural energy sources. The family expects the off-grid system to cut their annual carbon emissions from power usage by 95%.

In addition, Edson Piggery received a second grant of $475,000 to construct a new Freedom Farrowing system for their sows and piglets. This innovative setup will enhance animal welfare by providing the sows with more space to move freely within the pen during nursing and lactation.

Mt Boothby Pastoral

Tintinara, South Australia

Mt Boothby Pastoral was awarded a $340,000 grant to reduce its carbon footprint by installing off-grid solar energy systems and helping to close the loop within a diversified and integrated agricultural production system.

“Our team and business continually strive for improvement in all aspects of production, welfare and efficiency. We are extremely proud to be awarded a Coles Nurture Fund grant which consolidates and fast tracks our sustainability focus by reducing our carbon footprint through the use of renewables in a closed loop diversified production system,” Mt Boothby Pastoral Director Andrew Johnson said.

“It is so rewarding to be working with the Coles team who should be congratulated in supporting business – often regional and farmers – to enhance and improve sustainable agricultural supply chains. We are looking forward to delivering the outcomes in a collaborative team effort.”

How to Apply

Applications for the Coles Nurture Fund are accepted periodically, with several funding rounds held each year. The next funding round will be open in January 2025.

Interested businesses can apply online through the Coles Nurture Fund website, where they must submit detailed proposals outlining their projects, objectives, and expected outcomes.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate how their project will align with the fund’s goals of sustainability, innovation, and productivity.

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