We’re proud to share that Gina’s Table has partnered with the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) to showcase our innovative, waste-fighting freeze-dried fruit products at this year’s EKKA (Royal Queensland Show).
This exciting collaboration puts a spotlight on our shared mission: to turn surplus fruit into high-quality, nutritious, and versatile products, while tackling one of Australia’s biggest food challenges — waste in the supply chain.
Each year, the EKKA draws thousands of visitors from across the state to celebrate Queensland’s agricultural excellence. With over 140,000 strawberry sundaes consumed during the show, it’s no surprise that strawberries are a Queensland favourite. But behind that love for berries lies a tough reality — short shelf life, tight supermarket standards, and unpredictable weather often result in significant waste.
For years, our family-owned farm, SSS Strawberries, experienced this firsthand — losing around 300 tonnes of strawberries annually, roughly $5 million in potential revenue. But instead of seeing waste, we saw opportunity.
With the support of the DPI’s Food Innovation team, and in collaboration with End Food Waste Australia, we’ve developed a range of freeze-dried products that preserve the natural colour, flavour and nutrients of our fruit — even the second- and third-grade berries that once had no commercial path.
Through this partnership, we’ve:
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Upcycled up to 3 tonnes of surplus fruit per day
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Reduced landfill waste by 80%
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Launched new products under Gina’s Table, including freeze-dried powders and crumbles for baking, smoothies and snacking
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Expanded our range to include blueberries, raspberries, and mixed berries in both freeze-dried and frozen formats
At EKKA, you’ll find us proudly displaying these efforts alongside DPI — not just as a showcase of what we’ve created, but as a shared vision for the future of Australian farming: one that is sustainable, innovative, and waste-conscious.
We’re grateful for DPI’s ongoing support in research, product development, and testing, and we look forward to exploring more collaborative ideas that make better use of the crops we work so hard to grow.
Because at Gina’s Table, every berry deserves a second chance.