Eggs
Australian family-owned farming company based in Victoria. Exclusive supplier to Coles Supermarkets.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Dec 2024)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Valley Park Farm Pty Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
High free range stocking densities
In contrast to consumer expectations and free range eggs standards across the world, the government caved to pressure from a few industrial scale egg producers and major retailers to introduce a free range eggs standard in 2017 allowing producers to pack 10,000 hens into a hectare. The CSIRO, RSPCA, Choice and many others recommend a maximum of 1,500 hens per hectare. This company uses a stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare for some of its free range eggs, well in excess of consumer expectations.
Source: news article
(2024)
Misleading claims
The company asserts on its website that it only sells free-range eggs. However, Coles' 2023 Sustainability Report indicates that they also produce barn-laid eggs. Additionally, while they claim to be an "Accredited Free Range Farm" on their website, they lack accreditation from any official organisation.
Source: company website
(2024)
Factory Farming
Initially a free-range egg producer, this company expanded its operations after partnering with Coles. They now produce cage-free (barn-laid) eggs, but have committed to never producing caged eggs. Barn-laid eggs are generally considered more ethical than caged eggs, as they provide hens with more space to move around. However, they are not as ethical as free-range eggs, which allow hens to roam outdoors and engage in natural behaviors.
Source: Coles Group
(2023)
Farm Transparency Project profile
The Farm Transparency Project Repository is a public repository/gallery for videos, photos, documents and campaign materials relating to the animal rights movement in Australia. Follow the link to see their profile on this company.
Source: Farm Transparency Project
(2024)
Company Details
Type:
Family-owned private company
Founded:
2008