Quality
Caring for our chooks is our #1 job. When we have happy and healthy hens, the quality of each egg that leaves the farm is the best it can be. So, our egg quality reflects the health of our laying flock and the quality of the flock’s feed which we think is pretty important. All the farms in the IEP co-operative have a rigorous quality control process from laying to when the eggs are graded and packed. Where possible we avoid human handling of our chook’s eggs but sometimes we do collect eggs by hand in our free range and barn facilities. From laying, the eggs are sent to the egg packing unit where they are graded by size. Egg grading covers small size 5s and 6s (perfect for poaching), regular size 7 and jumbo size 8s.
Our farms operate and distribute in their local regions and are responsible for all deliveries, which means we can ensure their eggs are as fresh as they can be, and in the best condition when they get to your local stores.
Food Safety
If an egg does not pass our rigorous testing then it does not leave the farm. In short that is our policy to help ensure the highest of food safety standards. All our eggs are tested at the farm before packing with tried-and-tested equipment. The team from NZ Food Safety Authority who are part of MPI come onto our farms to inspect them, check the feed mills, the grading and packing centres.
Animal Welfare
We are committed to providing New Zealanders with a choice of egg whether it’s the size or how it’s farmed. To meet these expectations our co-operative has farms that produce Colony Cage, Barn and Free Range eggs. They are all governed by strict animal welfare and husbandry rules that dictate our everyday procedures ensuring every chook is healthy and happy. Further information can be found at the Egg Producers Federation eggfarmers.co.nz
Environment
IEP has been supplying the freshest eggs to New Zealanders since 1920. With farms stretching across New Zealand from Northland to Otago, it’s our commitment to play an important role in the care of our land and be a positive and active member of the community around us. All our farmers are reliant upon maintaining the prestige area of land they call home and being a good citizen, supporting the local people and businesses. That is why each farm only distributes eggs to their geographic region.
Wherever our farms are, whatever the landscape, all our farms, buildings and surrounding land are maintained to a very high standard to ensure our chooks are happy and healthy. At the end of the day, this means the best eggs for us to carry on delivering all over the country from locally owned New Zealand farms.