The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Dairy farm’ s self service is real cool idea
Connage Highland Dairy has launched its “express” store that allows customers to buy products such as cheese and milk using self-service vending machines.
Having started making cheese from the milk of their own cows 16 years ago, Jill and Callum Clark from Connage Highland Dairy in Ardersier, near Inverness, have found a new way of using their milk – a vending machine.
Launching the Connage Express cold store and vending machine operation last week, the farm is now able to sell its own organic milk – pre-bottled and with the ability for customers to bring their own bottles for self-service refills.
Mrs Clark said: “I think, really, this express venture is an extension of the shop, because we weren’t selling our milk. We’ve only had it open a week and we’ve had a wonderful response from the locals.”
With the main farm shop open from 7am to 7pm every day, Jill and her team are on hand to help if any assistance is required with the express machines.
Mrs Clark said: “People come along and we’re around during the day to help people if they’re having trouble with the machine or anything.
“The milk comes out of the machine per litre, so you don’t want anything too big if you’re bringing your own bottle and you’ve got to be careful your bottle is scrupulously clean.”
She added: “We also have self-service lockers with dry goods in, though not very many, which we’re thinking of expanding. That was always the plan – to start off small and see how it goes.
“The chill is also displaying all of our cheeses but I’ve just recently bought some Scottish wax cheeses from other companies, which we’re also going to put in soon.”
Best known for their range of multi-awardwinning organic cheeses, as well as featuring products from other businesses such as eggs, bacon, honey, chutneys and coffee, the Connage team are excited they can share their produce in this new way.
And following the success of their cheese shop over the past few years, Mrs Clark felt the time was right to launch the new express machines.
“While many customers still come into the Cheese Room where we stock a vast range of cheeses and other items, and many of our customers from further afield shop online, many people just want to come to a vending machine and take something away quickly,” said Mrs Clark.
“The fact that the Connage Express is open for longer hours than the shop also fits well around people’s busy lives.
“During our first few days of opening we have seen a fantastic flow of cars coming along and customers seemed to be really enjoying the experience. The range of items is large enough that everybody can find something they will enjoy.”