Two farms in Devon has been working tirelessly to keep up with the demand for dairy during the coronavirus lockdown.
Alongside maintaining its supplies to the firm Muller, since the start of the Covid-19 crisis, Clinton Dairy has seen sales double at its refrigerated milk vending machine at nearby Otterton Mill.
The message at the moment is that it is very much business as usual at the dairy, which is run by the Clinton Devon Farms Partnership, a Clinton Devon Estates farming business.
It manages two organic dairy farms, Otter farm and Dalditch farm, where a herd of 750 cows graze locally. The dairy supplies milk to the firm Muller, producing 5.4million litres of milk each year.
It also runs a 24/7 fresh milk vending machine at the nearby Otterton Mill visitor centre and has seen sales double since the crisis began.
The machine was set up in an effort to reduce food miles, waste, and connect the farm with the local community, something that is hugely important for the Farms Partnership at this time.
Farms manager Sam Briant-Evans, said: “It’s pretty much business as usual at the dairy. Even at an immensely difficult time like this, the animals still need to be fed and milked, so the work doesn’t stop and we will continue to meet demand.
"Additionally, our vending machine usually sells 10 to 12 litres a day, whereas we are currently seeing sales of 25 to 30 litres a day, and we expect that to continue to rise.
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“We are taking all the correct precautions and following daily Government advice to ensure
our teams are safe and protected at all times. We are observing all social distancing guidelines and following strict hygiene and sanitisation protocols.”
The refrigerated vending machine at Otterton Mill holds 100 litres of whole milk and is fitted with a cash and card payment facility. Customers can purchase a re-useable, recyclable glass bottle, or bring their own.