The family-run Bega Valley Eggs have linked up with Woolworths to supply seven stores on the Far South Coast with eggs from their Bemboka property.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Husband and wife team Tom and Joscelin McMillan own and run Bega Valley Eggs out of their Bemboka property.
The pair had been operating across two sites with the original business located near Quaama when bushfires in January saw them lose nearly two thirds of their hens to smoke and stress as well as damage to production equipment.
"The fires wiped out about two thirds of our flock," Joscelin said "but a fundraiser helped us to consolidate to the Bemboka property."
With room to grow, Joscelin said they were thrilled to get the call from Woolworths.
"They got in touch with us as they've been wanting more local suppliers in, so this has fast-tracked that for them," she beamed.
With the farm currently housing 4500 hens, Joscelin says around 85 to 90 per cent of their eggs are still going to local restaurants and wholesalers.
"Restaurants, cafes and the independent supermarkets are still the bulk of our local business, we want to look after those stockists that have been with us through the year."
However she said they were excited to see their eggs on Woolies shelves and the increased exposure for a small business.
"It's not always been easy to get our name out there, even among customers in the towns around us," she said.
"It has been fantastic, we've heard from people who've discovered us for the first time at Woolworths and are really keen to support our small family-run business."
Joscelin and Tom have the room for about 2500 more hens and said they will grow to capacity to cater for the summer tourist season.
"We're going to fill to capacity because of the tourism industry across the summer, we want to support and supply the summer tourism trade."
When that demand drops, Joscelin hopes to see Bega Valley Eggs branch into other regions through the partnership with Woolworths.
"We've already seen our supply to Woolworths increase, and the potential to grow with a major supermarket like Woolworths in the future gives us real confidence in the longevity of our business," she said.
Woolworths officials said they were seeing a sales rise of almost 90 per cent year on year with increasing demand for locally-sourced eggs.
Woolworths Category Manager for Eggs, Justin Heffernan says with customer demand for local eggs growing, increasing local sourcing with small producers like Bega Valley Eggs is important.
"We know a growing number of customers value being able to pick up a carton of eggs that comes from a farm nearby - sometimes as soon as 24 hours after being laid," said Mr Heffernan.
"These customers are interested in minimising food miles and accessing the freshest eggs possible.
"We're proud of the direct partnerships we have with small local producers like the McMillan family on the South Coast who are helping us serve a growing base of shoppers looking to support local farmers."
Bega Valley Eggs are now available in Woolworths from Merimbula to Batemans Bay.