From cow to bottle at Farnadolly farm

VENTURE Milk vending machine dispenses fresh produce daily at farm gate

Farnadolly Milk Barn officially opened on Sunday, August 13, providing fresh and creamy pasteurised milk to customers.

Pulling up to the Smith family farm, customers were greeted with balloons, green grass, Friesian cattle in the neighbouring pasture and the milk moustaches of those who had already tested and approved of the produce.

From cow to bottle, everything takes place on the third-generation farm located in Farnadolly, Crossdoney, County Cavan.

The opening day was filled with excitement, those who had heard of the milk vending machine idea came to try it out as the Smith family rallied around showing young and old how their new business idea worked.

Customers first bought their 500ml or one-litre glass bottle from a chilled bottle vending machine at a cost of €2.50 or €3.50. The bottles are a one-time investment, which can be re-used upon return.

Then over to the ‘Bainne Bot’ for a dual vending machine where milk is dispensed. Customers select the size of their bottle and then the flavour of milk they desire; plain or flavoured with strawberry, chocolate, banana or mint syrup. Half a litre of plain milk costs €1.00 with milkshakes costing €1.50, while one litre of plain milk costs €1.50 and a milkshake will set you back €2.50.

Every millilitre of milk comes from the Smith farm, pasteurised in their own pasteurisation room just off the dairy and then brought to the machine daily, bringing the freshest and highest quality of milk to customers.

Behind the whole idea are brothers Andrew and Aodhagon Smith.

Taking a break from greeting his steady flow of new customers and showing them how the machine works, Andrew explained what makes their products different to others on the shelves.

“The whole goodness is in the milk from here, there is nothing taken out of the milk,” said Andrew, explaining that it has been pasteurised to regulation standard.

Andrew explained he first thought of the milk vending machine idea around 18 months ago, having seen a similar machine on an episode of Ear to the Ground.

“For the last two years we were thinking about doing it for the whole time,” he said, explaining that around Christmas time they decided to go for it.

“We’re here now,” said a proud Andrew.

Andrew starts milking his herd of 215 cattle at 6am every morning with the help of his brother Aodhagon and father Philip Smith, both of whom are heavily involved in the family farm.

“It’s family run,” he said, explaining that his wife Caroline, sister Orla and mother Tina have also helped in getting the family business up and going.

With experience in the food industry working as a quality manager in Ice Cream Treats in Killeshandra, Orla oversaw the quality management and safety systems of the product.

“It’s going great, so far so good,” reported Andrew.

Caroline added: “It’s a natural product, it’s local, sustainable and all coming from the family farm.”

Asked if he was happy with how the opening had been going so far, Andrew emphatically replied “Ah jaysus yeah.”

“The whole lot of us have been here to help out, it’s been brilliant,” he beamed.

At lunch time that day, Andrew predicted that at least 200 bottles of milk had been sold so far, with another five hours to go.

Times of when the vending machine will be open will be confirmed on their Instagram account @farnadolly_milk_barn2023. For fresh, natural, sustainable and local milk, travel no further than Farnadolly Milk Barn at Smith’s Farm.