Sustaining the Future: Educating Hospitality on Wild Prawn Sourcing

Challenge

The Australian wild prawn industry has faced several challenges, including increased competition from cheaper imported prawns, regulatory changes affecting operational costs, and shifting consumer preferences toward more sustainable food choices.

A critical challenge identified by ACPF was the lack of awareness within the hospitality sector regarding sustainable prawn sourcing, handling, preparation, and grading. Many chefs lacked the knowledge to make environmentally responsible choices.

Outdated, paper-based training methods proved ineffective in spreading this essential knowledge. A study by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation (FRDC) found that 82% of food service businesses rely on time-constrained supply chains for information about Australian Wild Prawns, leading to poor sourcing decisions.

Solution

To address these challenges, ACPF partnered with Allara Global to develop a comprehensive eLearning program aimed at raising awareness about sustainable prawn sourcing and handling, ultimately improving industry practices across Australia’s hospitality sector.

Allara Global’s solution was a series of 13 micro-learning modules delivered online. These modules covered key aspects of sustainable prawn sourcing, preparation, and cooking. The training was designed to equip hospitality professionals with the knowledge and skills to make informed, sustainable choices about Australian Wild Prawns.

The modules were developed with expert input from John Susman of Fishtales, ensuring the content's accuracy and relevance. The micro-modules were mobile-friendly, responsive, and compatible with various devices and browsers. With an average completion time of just 5-6 minutes per module, the content was optimised for accessibility and engagement, making it easy for chefs and other food service workers to complete their training on-the-go.

"This initiative is a game-changer for the seafood industry. The Australian Wild Prawn suite provides the essential knowledge and insights every stakeholder needs, ensuring the industry remains sustainable and profitable."

_{John Susman - CEO, Fishtales}

Results

The response from external companies has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that the Australian Wild Prawn suite is setting new standards in training and education.

_{Rachel King - Executive Officer, ACPF}

• The Australian Wild Prawns training program was successfully launched in February 2024 and has had a profound impact on the industry.
   
• The program was promoted to Allara Global’s 60,000 subscribers and made available to over 90,000 venues through the wholesale ordering platform FRESHO.
   
• A survey of 9,000 participants found that:
  • 86% reported a "much better" understanding of where Australian Wild Prawns originate.
  • 100% reported an improved understanding of sustainable practices within the prawn industry.
  • 86% felt "much better" about selecting and using Australian prawns, demonstrating increased confidence in sustainable sourcing.
     
• The program won three 2024 LearnX Awards, including:
  • Best eLearning Project (Microlearning)
  • Best eLearning Project (Industry-Specific)
  • Best Free eLearning Resource (Industry-Specific)