Tony Johnston and Alex Yu
Feb 8, 2024
Report on an innovative local milk selling approach – a visit to the Bonny Bo self-service milk vendor
A local farm nested in the countryside of Clonbonny, Athlone, Ireland is selling its milk directly to customers through milk vending machines. This unique and innovative approach to selling milk emphasises reduced food packaging, enhanced taste, preserved nutritional value, and streamlined logistics. Under the label of Bonny Bó, the farm has successfully implemented self-service reusable glass bottles and milk vending machines, transforming the way milk is distributed and consumed in the local community.
Reduced food packaging –
Traditional milk packaging often involves plastic bottles or cartons, impacting the environment negatively. This innovative milk-selling approach Bonny Bó adopted reduces food packaging by providing consumers with reusable glass bottles. This eco-friendly practice not only reduces plastic and paper consumption but also promotes sustainability and environmental consciousness within the community.
Enhanced taste and preserved nutritional value –
Unlike mass-produced milk that undergoes extensive processing, Bonny Bó milk is pasteurised but not homogenised, preserving its natural flavour and nutrition. On the other hand, Bonny Bó milk is charged at a premium price – 2 Euros per litre, which is considered to be pricy compared to mass-produced milk that supermarkets and shops sell. However, if this milk-selling approach is promoted and widely adopted by more farms, it would encourage fair competition which will eventually bring down the cost and the price.
Reduced Logistics Costs and Contamination Risks –
By selling milk directly to consumers through self-service vending machines, Bonny Bó Farm has minimized the logistical challenges and costs. Bonny Bó also utilizes technologies to reduce the risk of contamination, for example, the vending machine goes through a steam clean after each use to ensure hygiene. This farm-to-consumer model not only ensures the freshness and quality of the milk but also reduces the carbon footprint by cutting unnecessary logistical transportation.
In conclusion, the Bonny Bó milk vending machine is a perfect case study for the FoodTourist project, it emphasises food packaging reduction, promotes local food production and consumption within the local community, and achieves carbon footprint reduction.