Sustainability Victoria Partnership
Cathedral Cherries have always sought to farm sustainably.
With product developer Sam Bate we began the task of developing uses for 500 tonnes of blemished Victorian cherries. That's the equivalent weight of around 80 African elephants that would otherwise end up in landfill.
About the Project
The project aims to create new circular business models and materials markets, increase local jobs, and enhance circular economy skills in the workforce.
Cathedral Cherries will conduct research and develop a processing plant and a network of partners to repurpose cherry food waste into new, commercially viable products. Product samples will be developed and tested such as cherry-apple cider, cherry vinegar, cherry liqueur, and cherry juice concentrate.
By repurposing waste cherries, the project will directly avoid food waste going into landfills and other waste destinations. This process will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions and pollution.
Background
Cathedral Cherries is a farm-to-consumer business committed to sustainable strategies in farming and consumer goods. It is repurposing blemished Victorian cherries into high-value food and beverage products for the Australian market.
Cathedral Cherries collaborates with second and third generation farms, processors, and new producers to develop sustainable products. They increase access to the circular economy by using innovative technologies, including vacuum concentration, freeze-drying, specialized sieve systems, de-stoning machines, enzymic treatment and fermentation. Their new product range includes cherry-apple cider, cherry vinegar, cherry liqueur, cherry juice concentrate and freeze-dried fruit.
Across Victoria approximately 3,000 tonnes of cherries are discarded because of blemishes and other cosmetic imperfections. One-third of all food produced is wasted each year. In Australia alone, this equates to 7.3 million tonnes of food waste, costing the economy around $20 billion annually.
Meet the Team
Cathedral Cherries Co-Director
Philip Christopher
Philip plays a key role in his family’s Cathedral Cherries enterprise, also working year-round on farm maintenance, harvest, and production.
When not on the farm, he is a research fellow in Infrastructure Engineering at the University of Melbourne. Philip specializes in sustainable construction materials and improving building fabric efficiency.
Cathedral Cherries Co-Director
Robert Christopher
Rob's family property houses the Cathedral Cherries enterprise. Rob works through the year on farm maintenance, harvest and production alongside the rest of the Cathedral Cherries Team.
Rob also is a co-director of Bonfire Station Farmstay and Microbrewery. One of his many ideas for the SV funding is to brew cherry cider using Cathedral Cherries produce - utilising his skillsets accross two industries.
Project Manager
Sam Bate
Sam has always surrounded himself with food. After attending Urrbrae Agricultural High School, he then went on to become a chef locally and abroad.
Getting the most out of any resource has always been a key driver for Sam, which makes managing a project with SV and Cathedral Cherries hugely satisfying.