Business Studies

Molong Central School Business Studies students toured the facilities at Family Fresh Farms and Mastergoods Australia, as part of a unique opportunity to examine the manufacturing environment of a leading global food business and intensive farming operations. 

The Gerry Harvey-owned Family Fresh Farms was developed from the ground up, using the latest technology in Glasshouse production from Holland.  The facility is over 5 hectares and uses advanced technology to ensure water, oxygen and temperature levels are maintained for optimal growth of cucumbers.   There are 3 crop rotations per year, each plant produces around 90 cucumbers. It was fascinating to see how food was produced in a semi manufacturing environment and the level of investment made into this facility.   

Following the tour we made our way to our accommodation in Toukley on the Central Coast,  where students participated in a confidence building activity by challenging themselves on the giant swing.  This was no park swing and it took courage to be hoisted about 20 metres in the air and to let the rope go yourself to effectively fall to the ground. An experience I only needed to do once! After all the adrenaline, a calming evening of walking on the beach and a camp fire was in order. 

The next morning we set off to Masterfoods (makers of tomato sauce, dolmino pasta sauces  etc). Students were able to examine first-hand the manufacturing, quality, safety and logistic processes at the factory.  The size and scale of the manufacturing facilities impressed the students and this is one of the largest employers on the Central Coast. Masterfoods organised a cooking lesson for the students, where they cooked up a lunch using Mastergoods sauces. Our shared lunch included dishes of  beef stirfry, butter chicken and thai green curry cooked by the students. 

“The level of precision required in the operations process and seeing in person the application of robotics and technology to achieve this is truly amazing” said Angel Mascord, year 12 student. 

Even Better than the Real Thing -

Year 12 students participated in a blind taste test of Coke products as part of our marketing unit. A blind taste test is when consumers sample a product without knowing the brand they consume. 

The purpose was to test the theory that our perception about a product is affected by branding, advertising and packaging. 

The students tested five different Coke products ranging from generic brands to original Coca Cola to Pepsi Max. The students found it difficult to determine the different products and although most students expressed (before the taste test), that they only drank Coca Cola,  many did not however, select it as their favourite coke. 

A hands on way to start a lesson. Also interesting to find out that many students in the class were not big soft drinkers but preferred water. Very health conscious class in deed!

Mrs Chisholm