A new e-commerce platform has been launched to connect Victoria Hill Lamb producers straight to customers, following a long held dream of the owners.
Allora graziers Stephen and Claire Schmidt, Victoria Hill Lamb, have launched a website that showcases their passion for the land, their core principles of animal welfare and the value of happy sheep.
The Schmidts are a fifth-generation farming family, passionate about producing flavoursome and nutritious lamb. One of their most valued principles is how they treat their animals.
“We want to market and sell our own product directly to customers, we’re passionate about our animals and ensuring they’re ethically raised,” Victoria Hill Lamb director Claire Schmidt said.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learnt, it’s the value of happy sheep.”
“Our sheep are fed a customised high quality mix of barley, corn and molasses under the supervision of an experienced sheep nutritionist.
“All components of the mix are sourced locally, which directly supports Darling Downs farmers.”
To help spread their message, Victoria Hill Lamb participated in Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise’s (TSBE) E-Ag program, run in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.
The Schmidts applied the knowledge gained from the workshops to develop their domestic brand presence and showcase their passion for delivering great food to customers.
“The E-Ag program gave us the fundamentals and confidence to move forward with connecting to our customers through e-commerce,” Mrs Schmidt said.
“It was the launchpad for us to begin our dream of supplying the Victoria Hill Lamb box direct to consumers from all over the state.
“Our new website is allowing us to reconnect people with their food by sharing our provenance and showcasing our multi-generational story.
“The adoption of e-commerce across Ag industries is relatively new, so we hope our customers can share in our story of paddock to plate where animal welfare is our highest priority.”
E-commerce specialist agency Swanky facilitated the E-Ag program and managing director Sean Clanchy said his team was proud to be a part of Victoria Hill Lamb’s ecommerce journey.
“Often people shy away from what they don’t understand, but in Stephen and Claire’s case, they knew what they wanted to achieve and were super eager to learn,” Mr Clanchy said.
“I think it’s fair to say we’re all excited for their future.”
TSBE’s export manager for Food and Agribusiness, Justin Heaven said the launch of Victoria Hill Lamb’s new website was an “exciting step”.
“TSBE is passionate about helping regional Queensland agri-food companies like Victoria Hill Lamb develop their story and connect with consumers,” Mr Heaven said.
“This program is one way of enabling producers to create a true paddock to plate experience for consumers and capitalise on the growing ecommerce trend for fresh food.”
Victoria Hill Lamb offers an eight-kilogram lamb box with free delivery to the Darling Downs, Toowoomba, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast and the NSW/QLD border area.
* For more information, please visit victoriahilllamb.com.au/
