Good Eggs Win Delicious Gold Medal

MERRIWA’s Papanui Open Range Eggs were awarded a gold medal at the Delicious Produce Awards last week in Sydney.

It is the third consecutive award for the local egg producers from Delicious and Di Killen said  the award is nice news during the drought.

“We are always so thrilled to get an award it’s recognition for all of the work and it confirms what we are doing,” said Ms Killen.

“It’s been good and it is a great business during the dry times, but were now finding that supplementing with grain means the costs have become exorbitant, so we are all in the same boat there,” she said.

Henry Killen, son of Maark and Di now runs Papinui with partner Emma Garbennini.

The Killen’s have worked the farm since the mid-60’s, which was primarily beef cattle until 2001 when they began producing eggs.

Mark Killen has retired and now son Mark has taken over Papinui Open Range Eggs.

“We are truly open range rather than free range, they are out in the paddock and free to roam out in the natural environment and they are guarded by Maremma dogs so they are safe from predators,”she said.

“The community are becoming really aware of where their food comes from and people are keen to know they are getting eggs from chickens that are happy out in the paddock and not in cages, so we get a lot of support,” Di Killen said.

Matt Moran, chef and Delicious produce awards ambassador said the judges were blown away by the standard of produce.

“It is always a privilege and honour to be a part of the delicious. Produce Awards National Judging Panel,” said Mr Moran.

“Every year we are blown away by the standard of produce being grown and raised around this bountiful country that really lays the foundation for our world-class food industry,”he  said.

“This year, it was wonderful to see some innovative new winners together with some of the most consistently year-on-year extraordinary produce…” Matt Moran said.

Kerrie McCallum, editor-in-chief of Delicious said, “With sustainability on the agenda more than ever right now, we are delighted that the delicious.

“Produce Awards serve to shine a light on trailblazing producers and artisans who are finding innovative ways to grow and raise not only some of the consistently best-tasting produce, but produce that is both seasonal and sustainable,” said Ms McCallum.

“Congratulations to all our winners and gold medallists,” Kerrie McCallum said.

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