Family-owned Gayndah orchard ripe to take on organics market after $350k boost

‘Wonderfully exciting opportunity’: Bon Accord Organic Citrus is ripe to take the organics market by storm, with a focus on getting its products on supermarket shelves.

Bon Accord Organic Citrus' Will and Anna McLay with their son Hugh. Photo/Woolworths.

After moving into organics for the first time last year, a family-owned orchard in Gayndah is geared to grow even further, bolstered by a hefty $350,000 injection.

Bon Accord Organic Citrus owners Will and Anna McLay will use the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund grant to increase their production with an expanded orchard and new equipment.

The McLays began producing conventional citrus in 2016, and quickly recognised the potential of organic production as a growing market.

They diversified with the purchase of a Certified Organic orchard in the North Burnett Region last year.

Will and Anna McLay with their son Hugh. Photo/Woolworths.

The orchard currently produces oranges, mandarins, lemons, limes and grapefruit from 3800 trees across 7ha, with plans to increase further.

“The Australian organic market is growing as consumers are looking for food that is grown in a healthy, sustainable way without chemicals,” Mr McLay said.

“We believe there is a real opportunity to grow that market.

“We would not have been able to look to grow without the grant.

“This is a wonderfully exciting opportunity for our business, and we are extremely grateful and humbled to have been awarded the grant from Woolworths.”

Mr McLay said the grant also marked the beginning of a significant relationship with Woolworths, the orchard’s first direct retail partnership.

“We’re proud to be part of Australia’s evolving organic citrus industry and are looking forward to seeing our products in Woolworths stores,” Mr McLay said.

“We want to produce the best organic product possible for the consumer.”

Will and Anna McLay with their son Hugh. Photo/Woolworths.

Woolworths general manager of fruit and vegetables Paul Turner said organic produce was appealing to a growing number of Australians.

“We’re partnering with farmers to provide the boost they need to expand production and keep up with demand in the years ahead,” Mr Turner said.

“We’re proud to be investing in hard working growers like the McLays who are evolving their business to embrace the opportunities in the organic market and help satisfy increasing demand with quality locally-grown produce.”

Round five of the Woolworths Organic Growth Fund is open until June 18.

The Woolworths Organic Growth Fund was established in partnership with Heritage Bank and will invest up to $30 million over a five-year period in the form of financial grants and interest-free loans.