A new look for twenty-ten
The observant among you may have noticed a new food Australia masthead logo on this issue. food Australia has continued to evolve over its long life, with its appearance changing “with the times”. The previous masthead logo was introduced in 2002, completely updating that introduced in late 1988 when Food Technology in Australia became Food Australia. This latest incarnation, developed by Production Officer Ian Macdonald, is again a complete update reflecting a more modern design. While the Cover logo colour changes with each issue in keeping with the Cover design, our new “corporate” colour is “apple green”, evoking “fresh, sustainable, clean and green”, some of the current driving forces for the Australian agrifood industry and our consuming public. The iconic image used on our new Media Kit presentation folder is the Granny Smith apple, adding Australian adaptability, innovation and commercialisation to this symbolism.

In another move to ensure the ongoing successful delivery of food Australia into the future, an Associate Editor was appointed at the end of July. Dr Jane Paton MAIFST, a food science graduate from the University of New South Wales, has more than 25 years experience as a food science and technology researcher, teacher and project manager as well as having formal qualification in editing and proofreading. Jane has already made a valuable contribution since the September issue.

Our 60th year has passed
Not immune to the global financial crisis, Volume 61, at 536 pages was one of the smallest in recent times as we reduced our variable costs, keeping each issue bar one at the minimum 48pp. However those pages were ‘chock-full’ of the broad range of quality editorial content you have come to expect from food Australia.

We published 29 features on 25 topic areas, plus three additional AIFST Convention/Conference features. There were also two special reports on Carbon and the Consumer and the 60th Anniversary of food Australia plus five updates on Agrifood, Imports and Exports, Salt and Wine and Alcoholic Beverages. We are also privileged to be the forum for the publication of reports on various ILSI events and last year published four of these on diverse topics including Nanotechnology and Food and Children’s Health and Nutrition. In addition we published 12 papers, the majority peer reviewed applied research, and an additional 11 authored articles.

food Australia also continues its three directories, each updated six monthly. They are our on-line Food Ingredients Directory (www.foodaust.com.au/directingredients.html) updated in June and December, the Dairy Services Directory (www.foodaust.com.au/directdairy.html) which appears in our April and October Dairy features as well as on-line and the Training and Recruitment Directory (www.foodaust.com.au/directtrain.html) in association with our May and November features on related themes.

…and the 61st has begun
The 2010 features list, including all deadlines for editorial, advertising and loose leaf inserts, is available on our website (www.foodaust.com.au).

We have 33 features planned, both popular and topical. More detail on the major themes for each feature is available on the website around two months prior to publication date.

Our website continues to be popular, currently attracting on average, more than 7000 unique visits each month. The Directories, in particular, attract a lot of attention. However the website is also a valuable potential source of information for advertisers and contributors, containing a range of information for both groups. Selected content from the relevant month’s print issue also appears, including the Cover Story, News and People articles and Conferences. The on-line Diary now runs into 2011.

During 2010 we will be taking a close look at the website and its features, with the plan to make it even more useful for advertisers, contributors and readers alike. We will also be looking at the internal design of food Australia, to continue the work begun with the new masthead. Any comments or suggestions are welcome!

Thank you to our stakeholders
AIFST and the food Australia team thank all who have contributed to food Australia during the past year. A special thank you goes to our loyal advertisers who have seen the value in continuing to promote their goods and services through food Australia and to trade positively through the difficult financial climate. We also acknowledge those who have refereed papers, reviewed books and contributed content in various ways.

A final thank-you is made to the members of the Editorial Board for their support and sage advice, particularly in the early days of its formation. Editorial Board Chair, Dr Michael Eyles is now AIFST President, and a decision has been taken by the Executive to review the type of advisory committee most appropriate for food Australia. As their names do not now appear in this issue, I record with thanks the contributions of the Chair, Professor Chris Hudson, Professor Stewart Truswell, Dr Roger Bektash, Dr Hilton Deeth, Dr Matthew Morell and Keith Richardson.

Barbara Munce
Managing Editor