Goulburn Valley Food Coop Chairman comments on SPCA

05 February 2014

SPC Ardmona (SPCA) can still have a future in the Goulburn Valley, according to GV Foods Co-op chairman, Les Cameron.

The GV Food Co-op was set up in the wake of the exit of another of the region’s major food processors, Heinz, in 2012.

Mr Cameron said he believed the federal government’s decision not to fund improvements in SPCA’s facilities to the tune of $25 million would not prove a death knell to the company.

“It is a relatively small sum of money in the scheme of things; we at the Co-op think we could be in a position to help with the capital raising, whether that be by giving SPC Ardmona the rights to make our two successful products or whatever it is.”

In return, Mr Cameron said he would expect SPCA’s parent company Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) to make certain concessions.

He said he agreed with Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s decision not to give money to CCA on some levels.

“The company does need to stand on its own two feet, but equally we have to be sure not to lose this infrastructure for the region.”

Source: The Land, Exploring options for SPCA, 5 Feb 2014