Research & Development
Driving National Change Through Research and Development
A bold, transformational six-year R&D program informed by global best practice, national data, and consumer insights. Through the Plus One Serve Research & Development Pillar, we identify opportunities, prioritise national action, and co-design, test, and scale interventions that make it easier for Australians to eat one more serve of vegetables every day. This program brings together leading researchers, behavioural scientists, health promoters, retailers, growers, and innovators to generate evidence that drives measurable, sustained change.
Veg Intervention Projects
Veg Intervention Projects 
Plus one serve: digital application to support increased vegetable intake in rural communities
This project is taking an innovative approach to support young adults in regional, rural and remote areas of Victoria to increase vegetable consumption. Through the development of a co-designed mobile app and vegetable prescription program, this project targets key barriers of healthy eating including, limited access to fresh produce, affordability issues and time constraints.
Partners
Deakin University, Hort Innovation, AUSVEG, University of Sydney, The George Institute, Heart Foundation, Box Divvy
Setting
Home (Rural/Regional)
Project Code
HN24006
Status
In Progress
Improving Vegetable Intake in Tertiary Students
This project aims to increase vegetable consumption among university students by making fresh produce more accessible and equipping students with practical food literacy skills. Partnering with Universities throughout Melbourne, on campus produce markets will be established, ensuring easy access to vegetables, with students receiving a variety of educational resources to instil skills and confidence for healthier eating.
Partners
Hort Innovation, AUSVEG, Foodbank Victoria, Melbourne Market Authority (MMA)
Setting
Tertiary
Project Code
HN24005
Status
In Progress
Pick of the Crop School-Based Program
A whole-of-school healthy eating initiative that aims to increase healthy eating through embedding vegetables into curriculum, culture and food environments. Pick of the Crop is supporting Queensland state schools to boost student’s consumption of vegetables and fruit through locally agreed school actions.
Partners
Queensland Health & Wellbeing, AUSVEG, Hort Innovation
Setting
Primary Schools
Project Code
HN25001
Status
In Progress
Chef in schools plus Program
The Chef in Schools Plus Program, led by Deakin University, is piloting an innovative approach in Victorian secondary schools to transform school lunches and make healthy, vegetable-rich options more appealing to students. Inspired by successful programs in the US and UK, the project brings qualified chefs, canteen managers and students together to co-design delicious, nutritious lunch options that put vegetables front and centre.
Partners
Hort Innovation, Deakin University (IPAN), AUSVEG, National Nutrition Foundation (NNF), Coles Group
Setting
Secondary Schools
Project Code
HN24004
Status
In Progress
Farm Gate – Connecting Kids to Growers
This project aims to increase vegetable consumption among Australian children by delivering immersive, hands-on learning experiences through the VEG education Farm Gate and Mobile Farm Pilot. By engaging students directly with vegetables and the horticulture industry, the initiative seeks to shift attitudes, improve knowledge, and encourage healthier eating behaviors.
Partners
Hort Innovation, VEG Education, Velisha Farms, Monash University
Setting
Primary Schools
Project Code
HN24008
Status
In Progress
Plus One Serve: Primary Schools Vegetable Provisioning Model
This project targets low vegetable consumption within primary schools through provision of vegetables during scheduled snacking times. Spanning over two years, initiatives will be evaluated and business models explored, in order for vegetable provisioning to ensure equitable and sustainable access to vegetables from primary school students.
Partners
Hort Innovation, AUSVEG, The George Institute for Global Health, Western Sydney Local Health, Sydney University, Box Divvy
Setting
Primary Schools, Home
Project Code
HN24008
Status
In Progress
Food as Medicine Produce Prescription during Pregnancy
This project aims to test whether a ‘Produce Prescription’ intervention can reduce gestational weight gain and prevent pregnancy complications among pregnant women with, or at high risk of, Gestational Diabetes Mellitus who are experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship. It is a strong contribution to evidence for the integration of ‘Produce Prescription’ into the healthcare system to support vulnerable populations, through embodiment of the ‘Food is Medicine’ approach.
Partners
Hort Innovation, AUSVEG, The George Institute for Global Health, UNSW Sydney Australia, Campbelltown Hospital, Canterbury Hospital, St George Hospital, Nepean Hospital
Setting
Home & Community
Project Code
HN23002
Status
In Progress
Food Security in remote First Nations Communities (Phase 1 – National Strategy and Consultation)
This project examined how Indigenous-led food enterprises can improve local food systems and provide, economic, nutritional, and cultural benefits to remote Australian communities. Many Indigenous communities struggle with expensive, limited and culturally inappropriate food options, leading to health challenges and food insecurity, therefore, research was conducted to support better access to healthy food and encourage local enterprise, ultimately aligning horticulture research with community needs. The model embedded within this research project is designed to generate insight that can be adapted and applied to other remote Indigenous communities across Australia.
Partners
Hort Innovation – Frontiers, AUSVEG, University of Queensland
Setting
Community
Project Code
HN24007
Status
Completed
High School Education Resources
This project will deliver a comprehensive suite of curriculum-aligned education resources to position the Australian Potato (fresh and processed) and onion industries at the forefront of high school classrooms. This initiative will equip teachers and students to connect with sustainable agricultural production, nutritional health and career pathways across the supply chain.
Partners
Hort Innovation (strategic investment in Onion, Potato Processing, Fresh Potato Funds), Primary Industries Education Foundation Australia Limited (PIEFA)
Setting
High School
Project Code
MT24021
Status
In Progress
Community Listening Research
Plus One Serve conducted community listening sessions throughout Australia in both metropolitan and regional settings to gather diverse insight into barriers of vegetable consumption. Through prioritisation of our setting-based approach, community listening allows for the understanding of the lived experiences of these settings. These being retail, home, early childhood, primary school and high school & tertiary education.
Partners
Fifty-five 5, Akcelo
Setting
Home & Community
Status
Completed
Functionally fit: veg Health benefits to educate and inspire
Growing vegetable consumption through a powerful change narrative that educates and inspires consumers on functional health benefits like mood, energy, and vitality – transforming how vegetables are considered.
Partners
Soon to be announced
Setting
All
Status
In Development
Retail Setting Action Plan
Developing a clear, evidence-based roadmap that identifies three priority areas for research and implementation — accessibility and value perception, relevance and inspiration, and trust and connection. The Plan serves as a national guide for stakeholders and a practical brief for future retail projects and engagement with major retailers to help Australians buy and eat more vegetables.
Partners
Hort Innovation, AUSVEG, CVA, research, industry, and retail stakeholders
Setting
Retail