New Vertical Farm For CERES Preston

The Andrews Labor Government is helping CERES establish a new indoor vertical farm at its Preston depot and expand its organic food delivery service.

Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today announced that CERES is the latest social enterprise to receive funding through the $1 million Social Impact Investment for Sustainability Program.

CERES will receive $183,000 to create a new website and app to make it easier to access CERES Fair Food – an organic grocery and carbon neutral food delivery service. The new app will also include opportunities to reduce food waste.

The funding will also be used to recycle an existing cool room at the Fair Food dispatch centre in Preston and build an indoor vertical farm. The expanded facilities will be used to produce organic microgreens and train members of the public in urban farming.

CERES Fair Food has been building a certified organic microgreens enterprise for two years and sells microgreens both on the wholesale market and through 12 stores. CERES Fair Food is delivered to around 1,000 customers each week.

Investment-ready social enterprises can apply for up to $200,000 to expand their operations and deliver new solutions to environmental problems as part of Sustainability Victoria’s Social Impact Investment for Sustainability Program.

For more information or to apply for a grant visit sustainability.vic.gov.au/grants.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio

“We’re helping CERES expand its popular carbon neutral organic food service and new microgreens business.”

“The vertical farm will allow more people to attend workshops and learn about the benefits of urban farming.”

“The funding will create employment for 12 people and allow CERES to offer 27 work experience positions over three years.”

Quote attributable to General Manager CERES Chris Ennis

“CERES Fair Food connects urban households with local organic growers and producers. We thank the Victorian Government for supporting CERES to expand our operations, create more employment and training opportunities and strengthen local food systems.”

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