From the orchard to the oven

Trade Partner Spotlight

9 Dec 2024

4 min read

From the orchard to the oven

Trade Partner Spotlight

9 Dec 2024

4 min read

In Tassie’s Huon Valley amidst rolling hills and orchards laden with fruit, R&R Smith, a fourth-generation apple producer, has been cultivating premium organic apples for over 24 years. Led by Andrew Smith, this family has embraced tradition while constantly seeking new ways to innovate and thrive.

“We are very much a hamster on the wheel, and that is business,” says Andrew, highlighting the constant drive and dedication required to succeed in the competitive agricultural landscape. Their commitment to quality and sustainability led them to partner with Woolworths in 2006, supplying their Macro-branded organic apples to stores across Australia.”

“Woolworths have high-quality products and allow us to reach more consumers than we could possibly get to through any other business.” This collaboration has enabled R&R Smith to expand their organic apple production significantly, introducing consumers to unique varieties like the exclusive Southern Bliss, a crisp and juicy apple with a tropical twist.

But R&R Smith’s ingenuity doesn’t stop at apples. Recognising the value of utilising every part of their harvest, they established Willie Smith’s Cider, named after the family patriarch. This venture has also allowed them to transform their “second-grade” apples into a premium apple brandy, a “Tassie Take” on the traditional French Calvados, boasting rich flavors of baked apple, caramel, and fruitcake.

This year, Willie Smith’s has taken their innovation a step further by partnering with a third-generation Australian baker to create Woolworths Gold Fruit Mince Pies infused with their signature apple brandy. “We get excited about everything that has apple in it,” Andrew enthuses. “This is a great collaboration for us.”

Meanwhile, on the southeastern coast of Tasmania, overlooking Boomer Bay, another family farm is embracing sustainability and value-adding in a unique way. Daly Farms, a potato producer with a 35-year relationship with Woolworths, has transformed their “misshapen” potatoes into a thriving distillery, Hellfire Bluff.

“It costs the same amount to grow a first-grade potato as it does a second,” explains Ruby, the Business Manager at Daly Farms. “So it’s really important that we make sure we have a sustainable farm.” This commitment to minimising waste led them to create Hellfire Bluff Distillery, where they craft a unique potato vodka, a rarity in Australia, and a range of award-winning gins.

Their Summer Gin, featuring Tasmanian botanicals like leatherwood honey, boronia, and pepper berries, has garnered international acclaim, winning “Best Australian Gin” at the World Gin Awards in London. This exceptional gin has also found its way into Woolworths’ Gin Infused Fruit Mince Pies, adding a distinctive Tasmanian twist to this holiday favourite.

“We worked really closely with the Bakery team to make sure that what we’re producing works really well with the tarts.” says Ruby. This collaboration highlights the strong partnership between Daly Farms and Woolworths, showcasing their shared commitment to quality and innovation.

Both R&R Smith and Daly Farms exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to sustainability that define successful suppliers. Their collaborations with Woolworths demonstrate the power of strong partnerships in bringing innovative and high-quality products to consumers. By embracing their unique strengths and leveraging their resources, these family farms have cultivated not only exceptional produce, but innovative new options for this year’s Christmas celebrations.