NOURISH | feature
FREE RANGE WORDS VICKI RAVLICH-HORAN
As more and more people begin to ask questions about the origin of their food, a demand for free range eggs is on the rise. A clear signal in the shift in thinking is a recent announcement from McDonald’s New Zealand that all their ‘restaurants’ will be using only free range eggs. Measures like this can only be positive as more and more egg producers see the benefits of going free range. It is these benefits that the Sandle family, fourth generation egg farmers, saw when they switched to free range farming nearly ten years ago. Demand for their Otaika Valley Free Range eggs has continued to increase resulting in the family developing a new farm in Kaharoa, near Rotorua.
safe barns. They are fed with wholesome natural grains so they produce an equally wholesome and healthy egg. We have no antibiotics or chemical additives in the hens’ feed. One taste and you’ll notice the difference.”
William Sandle, along with his wife Teiria and their three children, moved to Rotorua to set up the new operation says, “There has been a steady growth in free range egg sales especially over the past year.” William attributes this to “consumers caring more about animal welfare and where their food comes from”. Otaika Valley Free Range eggs is a SPCA Blue Tick accredited farm and are also independently audited by Assure Quality Ltd, which verifies compliance with the Animal Code of Welfare (2012) for free range layer hens so you can rest assured they are happy free ranging hens.
Otaika Free Range Eggs take things one step further, also taking into consideration the environmental issues of production. “At Otaika Valley Free Range Eggs, we truly care for the environment,” Peter says. “Our packaging is recyclable and we have planted hundreds of trees that have made a positive impact on our carbon footprint, which will continue as the trees mature. We are constantly striving to become more environmentally friendly to reduce our carbon footprint.” Look out for Otaika Valley Free Range Eggs; the eggs available at leading supermarkets, local fruit and veggie stores. They are also used in many local cafes and McDonald’s. For the Sandle family the welfare of their hens is at the core of their business. William’s father, Peter Sandle, says, “Our hens are free to roam and partake in their daily activities, such as scratching, perching, dust bathing and foraging. At night they rest in spacious page 32 www.nourishmagazine.co.nz
www.otaikavalleyeggs.co.nz
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