BEST OF BRITISH

10th December 2003

A Somerset free-range egg producer has won a national award for his commitment to food quality and the welfare of his hens.

Tim Wood, who runs Blackacre Farm at North Cheriton, has been presented with a Good Egg Award from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association.

Despite operating outside both the Lion Code and the Freedom Food Scheme, Tim Wood has pursued his own research into welfare issues and has the health of his 25,000 strong flock independently monitored.

As a result, the former cage-only producer has turned his Blackacre Farm Free Range Eggs into one of the most visible egg brands in the South West.

"What we are doing with our brand" says Tim, "is being 100% honest with the consumer. We tell them the shops are getting next day deliver and they are and they are welcome to come and see for themselves."

The Award was presented at the BFREPA national conference at Daventry and chairman Tom Veysey said: "What Tim Wood has achieved in the South West demonstrates that despite the huge scale of much of our industry, there is still a place for individuals with the necessary drive and flair to create a niche for themselves."

Blackacre Farm supplies a network of 700 shops in the region with distinctive eye-catching packs carrying the pictures of its birds. As part of its latest promotional scheme purchasers can get a free copy of an interactive computer game, "Shoot the Fox", by collecting Blackacre box tops.

Tim Wood underscores the Blackacre sales message with a professionally created video. It shows that its eggs are produced in the way customers expect them to be and delivered to the shops within hours of being laid - it represents the ultimate in traceability!

The image of the Blackacre Farm Eggs product is based on a mobile housing system of 19 chicken hotels, which accommodate the 25,000 birds. Due to the small size of the flock in each 'hotel' there is no overcrowding and therefore less stress to the hens. Nesting boxes are situated in the centre of the house, where the hens lay their eggs.

The hens are fed on a wholesome, natural, vegetarian diet, with no added antibiotics or hormones, and to make life more pleasant there is a scratching floor area. The remainder of the floor is constructed of slatted plastic, which allows droppings to pass through, keeping the house clean and hygienic.

Tim Wood says: "The market place demands a quality product and true free range eggs come from a healthy chicken. The mobile units enable us to produce eggs in the way consumers would like them produced. The hens live in a light and airy environment and suffer less stress - so we get a superior product."

Tom Veysey, Chairman of the BFREPA, said: "Tim's promotional activity has been outstanding and what he has achieved has not just ensured the success of his own business, but has reflected on the qualities of free range as a whole."