Egg sales soar for family farm delivering direct to homes
A family-owned free-range egg farm in Oxfordshire has diversified its operations to help meet a significant uplift in demand for eggs during the Covid-19 pandemic, after securing support from Lloyds Bank.
Witney-based Mayfield Eggs has adapted its processes to provide packs of fresh free-range eggs to homes across Oxfordshire, whilst maintaining its supply to local independent stores. The shift has helped to ensure that elderly and vulnerable residents who are unable to get to the shops can still buy eggs during the coronavirus outbreak.
The farming business has been able to deliver its produce more quickly and efficiently with the help of a new on-site packaging facility and grading machine, which speeds up the packing process by sorting the eggs by size and weight and packing them into cartons. The machine was purchased with the help of a £480,000 loan provided as part of Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Financing Initiative (CGFI).
The funding has also enabled Mayfield Eggs to cut its emissions by removing road miles from transporting eggs to and from the previous packing site, as well as reducing operating costs.
James Lyall, director at Mayfield Eggs, said: “As more people are cooking and baking at home during lockdown, demand for eggs has rocketed. We pride ourselves on being part of the community, and wanted to adapt our processes to offer a door-to-door delivery service for local residents during this difficult time.
“Our new packing facility and grading machine have enabled us to get our produce out to residents more quickly and efficiently, whilst ensuring every egg we deliver is as fresh and delicious as possible.”
Mayfield Eggs, founded by Joy and Gordon Lyall more than fifteen years ago and led today by their son, James, provides the highest-quality free range eggs, with a rich golden yolk, that are delivered to customers within 72 hours of being laid to ensure optimum freshness.
James Lyall added: “Lloyds Bank has been by our side throughout our incredible journey from our humble beginnings, with my mother, father and I selling our eggs at the end of our driveway, to supplying renowned customers throughout Oxfordshire and beyond. We look forward to continuing our journey with them.”
Sarah Beckley, agricultural relationship manager at Lloyds Bank, said: “Mayfield Eggs is a great example of a local business that has adapted to the challenges presented by COVID-19 for the good of the local community, and it’s been great to see their investment in the new packing plant aid their efforts.
“We’re working with business customers right across the region to offer guidance and help them access the support that’s available during this difficult time.”
