Dunnstown milk processor Inglenook Dairy was caught out with too much supply when regional Victorian towns were plunged into lockdown with about two hours notice last Saturday.
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But in a strong show of support community members and businesses have reached out like many times before in other lockdowns, overwhelming those who are finding it tough.
In past COVID-19 restriction announcements, Victorians were normally notified of a lockdown on a Thursday which meant Inglenook Dairy would not process its large milk supply on a Friday.
But regional Victoria's latest snap lockdown caught Inglenook Dairy, a family-owned and operated business, off guard and it had already processed an abundance of milk.
A lot of Inglenook Dairy's supply goes to coffee shops across the state and owner Rachel Peterken said this lockdown had been quieter than other lockdowns, with businesses choosing not to open.
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She said it was the worst time the milk processor had been caught out since the pandemic began.
"Everybody shuts down and doesn't take it. A lot of our trade is coffee shops so it has affected it across the board. So we get stuck with people cancelling orders," Ms Peterken said.
"It's tricky but this is the worst we have been caught out."
To overcome the huge milk supply, Inglenook Dairy opened its farm gate with a drive-in service on Wednesday, while Plate Up Ballarat founder Kate Davis helped to put the word out to Ballarat businesses.
Wilsons Fruit and Vegetables offered to help sell the extra milk sitting in Inglenook Dairy's cool room and The Forge Pizzeria offered to provide a pop-up space.
"It's just so humbling to see the amount of people driving in the farm gate. Ballarat is such an amazing community when people are down and they need support. The community just backs you in each time. It's amazing," Ms Peterken said.
It restores your faith in the world. Everything is so depressing at the moment. To get everyones support is wonderful.
- Rachel Peterken
"We've had over 330 shares on our Facebook post. It's amazing. It's really very heartwarming to be honest.
"As much as it's hard and you get a little bit deflated, these circumstances lift your spirits so much. We are so grateful and we are so lucky."
Ms Peterken said the milk processor supplied its product to some Ballarat schools and daycare centres, and the restrictions placed on these had affected the business.
Ms Davis said Plate Up Ballarat was happy to support the city's businesses, like Inglenook Dairy, to collaborate during tough times.
The Inglenook Dairy pop-up space will open at Housey Housey at The Forge on Saturday.
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