By Peter Douglas
YELLINGBO-based property Sunny Ridge will play a central role in a development aimed at entering the frozen berry market on a commercial scale.
The Matilda’s group has launched the initiative, after a recent national scare during which 24 people contracted Hepatitis A, believed to be from eating contaminated frozen berries that were imported.
The group’s overall aim is for Australia to have its first 100 per cent locally grown frozen berries.
The Yellingbo property will house purpose-built equipment designed to process and package the berries, with the fruit being sourced from land throughout Victoria, NSW and Queensland.
Matilda’s co-founders, Matt and Ruth Gallace, said the business has now secured distributors in every state.
“We have had to start this entirely from scratch,” Ruth said.
“That has meant having machinery purpose built and designed, and creating a factory from the ground up.
“The decision has meant things have taken much longer, much like an architectural house build.”
Ruth said they are proud that the group has chosen to take no short-cuts in establishing the operation.
