HINTERLAND HERO brookfarm.com.au

Brookfarm, in NSW’s Northern Rivers region, celebrates native ingredients in its range of cereals, muesli bars and nut mixes, says head of marketing Clinton Bown. Perhaps that’s why the company’s products sell around the globe.

Where are your biggest markets?

Brookfarm sells to independent businesses here, such as IGA, gourmet grocers and ma-and-pa corner shops. We also sell to Costco, which has opened up our international market, especially in China and Japan.

How do you take your product to the world?

We have a single dispatch centre – one of the largest in the Byron Shire – and work with our friends at Australia Post and Qantas Freight to facilitate a range of incomings and outgoings. We are always reviewing our supply chain to make sure we’re being efficient, both financially and environmentally.

How important is it for the company to celebrate Australian produce?

We’re really proud of our native food industry. The macadamia, in particular, is native to this area. In 1988, Brookfarm founders Pam and Martin Brook (pictured below with sons Eddie and Will) bought a property in the Byron Bay hinterland and established a 38-hectare macadamia farm. Today, the farm also grows Davidson’s plum, finger limes and a range of other natives that we use in our products.

What are your bestsellers?

The Toasted Macadamia Muesli with Cranberries is an absolute sensation. Our gluten-free range sells really well, too. And our porridge is much more than just oats; it has grains, quinoa, a range of nuts and good oils. We’re even working with an explorer to help him engineer a porridge that will enable him to make the fastest Antarctic land crossing in history. So we know that people who want to fuel their body in the right way see our products as the right ones to partner with.