Ben's Eggs hatching new plans
MEET THE FINALISTS: BEST AGRI-FOOD BUSINESS
With 30,000 hens on the family farm, eggs were always going to play a big part in his life. But after finishing his Green Cert, Ben Tierney had an inkling that he could develop the family business by doing things a bit differently.
“We were taught to think of diversification, so I looked at different models,” the 22-year old explains how he began looking for an alternative route to the market.
Ben traded in a heifer for a vending machine and Ben’s Eggs was hatched. LEADER funding then helped him expand from one machine to five, before he shelled out on another five himself. Currently the Ballymachugh farm stocks ten vending machines across Cavan, Longford and Meath - with four more to be added soon.
Eggs are stocked fresh on trays. Each tray has 30 free-range eggs and a 28-day best-before date. Freshness and quality sells, Ben is convinced: “People are so happy with the taste and the price. Anyone that buys them once always goes back, and they usually tell someone as well.”
The price is a big seller, too! “There is such a scarcity of eggs at the minute,” Ben says. “I’m nine euro for 30 large free-range eggs.”
Beyond that, he has compiled a cookbook for people like himself who like going to the gym: “There’s so many ways to cook eggs that aren’t just scrambled or boiled, and I said, why not do some research here, and maybe put together a simple recipe book.”
€2 of each copy is donated to Youth Suicide Prevention Ireland, a charity close to Ben’s heart.
Beside these ventures, Ben is nearly ready to reveal his next project. Protein being a big seller these days, he is exploring more options to use his hens’ product.
So far, doing things “a bit differently” is working out well for Ben’s Eggs.
___
FULL LIST OF FINALISTS
Read about the other three finalists in this category by visiting the stories below.