Big opportunity for local dairy

The dairy will open its doors to another provider to help them recover from a recent international market downturn and damaging supermarket price war that has crippled the commercial industry.

Inglenook owner Troy Peterken manages the factory with wife Rachael, whose parents own the dairy at Dunnstown.

Mr Peterken said the offer presents a significant opportunity for another small farm to brand and sell their product.

“Because we can give the farmer a better price it would be a better option if someone wants to label and promote their own brand and own milk,” he said.

“We can brand and package it for them.

“We just threw it (the idea) out there. There's a big market out there.”

A large portion of Inglenook’s exports go toward local cafes, which use the milk products for beverages, but it also provides to local supermarkets.

The offer was posted on Inglenook Dairy’s Facebook page, with the idea had receiving significant interest.

“We have decided that we can do more for other dairy farmers,” the post read.

“We have received huge support for our product and would like to open our processing factory to any other farmer (or) co-op who wants to have a go and brand your own milk.”

While he did not give a specific figures into how much Inglenook pays providers for their milk, he said it was still considerably more than the market standard.

“If we get more local farmers around here, it's a lot better price than they will be getting,” he said.

“We pay a lot more. We're not dropping down from last year's market – we maintain the price, plus extra.”

In the short term, he said, the dairy hopes to assists another small, local dairy sell its product.

Mr Peterken said it’s crucial that the dairy continues to expand its sales to ensure it can make strong offers for raw products.