Ferndale Foods invests in healthy snack food facility

Victorian company Ferndale Foods Australia has announced a $20 million investment in a state-of-the-art food manufacturing facility in Ballarat. The move aims to meet the growing demand for what the company calls “better-for-you” bars and snacks in the market.

The company says the rise in popularity of better-for-you products is driven by their ability to offer convenience and nutritional benefits to consumers. This thriving industry is not only booming in Australia but also globally, with projections estimating the market for these products to reach an astonishing US$32 billion by 2025.

“We are thrilled to embark on this exciting journey for Australian food manufacturing,” said Leigh Edward, CEO of Ferndale Foods Australia. “Through extensive research and consultation with our major customers and leading brand owners, we have identified a significant gap in the industry — a comprehensive, state-of-the-art manufacturing hub capable of producing a diverse range of bars, including protein, muesli, low-sugar, sugar-free, gluten-free and high-fibre options.”

“ALDI partners with many innovative Australian businesses to bring the highest quality products to our shelves. Ferndale’s commitment to Australian-based manufacturing speaks to ongoing investment in the industry, and its commitment to keep delivering when it comes to product innovation for our stores,” said Varun Raheja, Buying Director, ALDI Australia. “We value partners like Ferndale immensely and offer our congratulations on another milestone for this iconic Aussie business.”

Bruce Edward laid the company’s foundation with Ferndale Confectionery in 1995, known for its ownership and production of brands such as JILA MINTS and JOLS Pastilles. Building on this success, Leigh and his father Bruce founded The So Soft Marshmallow Co. in 2017.

“Similar to marshmallows, we recognised the existing demand for better-for-you products. By offering a one-stop shop with state-of-the-art technology and cutting-edge facilities, along with the highest quality products, we can optimise production, storage and shipping processes for larger customers, providing them with unparalleled convenience and cost savings,” Edward said.

Once operational, the new facility, named FoodLine Australia, will have the capacity to manufacture 180 million bars annually. It will offer co-manufacturing capability to existing brands and customers while also creating its own better-for-you product lines.

Image: Ferndale Foods' new purpose-built manufacturing hub.