Free range chickens on the Isle of Wight are moving up the pecking order as their eggs are now being sold in Co-operative Food stores across the Island.
Southern Co-op’s convenience stores haven’t had locally laid eggs for several months as their previous suppliers took a step back from their business after more than 30 years.
Since then Hazelgrove Farm has stepped in and their eggs are now proudly displayed in the 8 stores on the Island – Bembridge, Carisbrooke, Cowes, Freshwater, Rookley, Ryde, Sandown, and Shanklin.
The family-run farm in Ashey has now spanned 4 generations after it was first bought by Sharon’s grandparents, before passing to her mother and is now run with the help of her partner, 3 children and grandson.
Sharon, who was born and raised on the Isle of Wight, said:
“My daughter is our delivery driver, my son is a beef farmer and also an electrician, and my other daughter is a teacher who helps out during school holidays.
“It’s something we love. My kids want to carry it on. It has to be a passion really as there’s not a lot of money in it.
“I enjoy being outside, enjoying the rural life and all the wildlife you see. It’s different every day.”
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Sharon brought chickens back to the farm in 2011 and made sure they were all free range. She adds:
“We have 4,500 chickens in eight different houses and you do get your characters – you get the one that jumps into the van all the time.
“At the moment, they have really long days as they go our first thing in the morning and stay out until late in the evening. They are out and about and doing things naturally and enjoying themselves. One thing they love is dust bathing.”
Hazelgrove Farm’s eggs have been added to Southern Co-op’s Local Flavours range which was first introduced in 2007 on the Isle of Wight. It supports farmers and producers, bringing the best local food and drink from across southern England to its convenience stores.
Matt Elliott, Southern Co-op’s Retail Buying & Services Manager, who looks after the Local Flavours range, said:
“We’ve been celebrating our 15th anniversary this year so it’s great to have Sharon and her family on board at such a special time.
“As an independent, regional co-operative, we strive to be a sustainable and responsible business and our Local Flavours range is just one way in which we achieve this.”
Brilliant!
Well done and good luck!
So pleased to hear suppliers are being supported by Co-op, just hope the prices are reasonable due to them being local. I understand they supplier and sellers need to make a profit but lets hope the price is realistic or people wont buy during this recession period. Better to sell them than they go out of date.
Bless them all.Really happy the COOP have seen the error of their ways and are doing the right thing.
Fabulous news! Well done Sharon and family, if anyone can do this well, it’s this family. I’ve known them for years, they are the hardest working most honest family around, Typical of what true Islanders are! They also stock the only available local milk too, why we need to get these products from over the Solent is beyond belief! See you soon 🙂