About
Northern Rivers Food (NRF) is a not for profit member based food group. It was established by people in the food industry from the “paddock to the plate” to support the food industry in the Northern Rivers. NRF aims to connect people in the local food industry by providing regular events, workshops & networking opportunities.
To be a member of Northern Rivers Food, the business must conduct a food business primarily located in the Region, and the goods and/or services produced by the member must be primarily created within the Region using produce of the Region where available; and the member has a commitment to using labour from the Region for its operations.
Connect
We run regular networking events & gatherings to help connect members of our dynamic local food industry in the Northern Rivers region.
Celebrate
We celebrate the unique food provenance of our region. We help celebrate our members by sharing their stories to the local food industry and to the foodie community.
Develop
NRF offer ongoing training, workshops & seminars to help develop our members, their brands and their products. In addition we offer a library of industry (member only) resources.
Meet our team
Mark Napper is a Business Advisor with a reputation for being a business value builder. He has worked in many senior leadership roles and has also run his own fruit orchard in Bangalow. He now runs his own business advisory company. Mark has been involved with NRF Executive Committee for the last six years, volunteering initially as Chair for the Growers Group, Treasurer then Vice-Chair and now Chair for the Executive Committee. Contact Mark E: chair@northernriversfood.org
Northern Rivers Food (NRF) are seeking a suitably qualified, experienced leader, with well-developed skills in communication, marketing, business administration, fund raising and relationship building, to help drive the growth and development of this very special food and beverage member-based organisation, located in the Northern Rivers NSW region.
Sound like the perfect job for you?
Explore our website to see what makes us tick www.northernriversfood.org, download an information pack and send your resume and brief cover letter explaining what you can bring to Northern Rivers Food to E: socialmedia@northernriversfood.org
Cam Hogan is the Treasurer at Northern Rivers Food, which she does in a voluntary capacity. Cam’s Treasurer role takes care of all things finance for Northern Rivers Food including bookkeeping, accounts payable & receivable, membership invoicing and reporting. When she’s not offering time to NRF she runs her own business – Dollars Making Sense. Cam specialises in food manufacturing and product costing to ensure clients know what margin and profit they are making.
Contact Cam at NRF on E: accounts@northernriversfood.org or cam@dollarsmakingsense.com.au.
Lorissa Phelan looks after our membership, marketing and communications. She also curates our annual consumer event the NRF Harvest Food Trail which runs the first weekend in May each year. Contact Lorissa E: socialmedia@northernriversfood.org
Our Fabulous Volunteers
Our NRF Executive Committee are the brains trust and leadership of our organisation. The group meet bi-monthly to plan direction and strategy for NRF. Our new NRF Executive Committee for 2023 includes:
Mark Napper, Mark Napper Consulting (Chair); Georgina Inwood, Table Under a Tree (Vice-Chair); Cam Hogan, Dollars Making Sense (Treasurer); Pam Brook, Brookfarm & Cape Byron Distillery; Simon Stahl, Casino Food Co-op; Damien Dougherty, Bangalow Sweet Pork; Rebecca Barnes, Playing with Fire; Mark Awad, Winding Road Distillery; Sally Scott, Tweed Tourism Co; Elke Robinson, Tropical Fruit World; and Anni Brownjohn, Ozganics.
Our Events Committee are the beating heart of NRF. They get together regularly to plan, organise and run all of our industry networking events and gatherings. Our Events Committee for 2023 includes:
Sally Scott, Tweed Tourism Co (Chair); Rebecca Zentveld, Zentveld’s Coffee; Rea Francis, RF Media; Katrina Patton, Pyewacket’s Traditional Shrubs; Margeaux Scarf, Cheyenne Farm; Ashlee Jones, Barefoot Farms; Seth Baker, The Gin Experience; and Nelly le Comte, photographer.
NRF have several special interest groups that get together informally to share resources and to engage on areas of interest. This includes:
- Regenerative Agriculture Group
- Business Bites Podcast Group
- Distillers Group
- Food Provenance Group
If you would like to join one of our groups contact us now E: info@northernriversfood.org
Contact Us
Joining a Group
Would you like to connect with others in the local food industry? NRF have several groups that get together informally every 4-6 weeks over a coffee or breakfast to plan our events, shape our festivals, share resources and to engage with like-minded food industry souls! If you would like to join one of our groups contact us now.
Get in Touch
c/o 14B Banksia Drive, Byron Bay, NSW, 2481
info@northernriversfood.org