This is not your typical story about eggs before Easter.

This is a story about a young farmer, Doug Groenendijk, who got cracking on a unique idea to deliver his product to consumers with an egg vending machine that doesnB次元官网网址檛 pose the same problems as regular roadside stands. The part about getting cracking, though, has nothing to do with the state of the eggs when they come out of the vending machine B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e all in one piece.

Anyone whoB次元官网网址檚 recently driven between Crofton and Chemainus on rural Vancouver Island would have noticed the vending machine and probably been surprised to find it contains eggs. Groenendijk sells farm fresh eggs from the machine on the farm heB次元官网网址檚 renting.

He also has plans in the works to get more chickens and set up a website for the vending machine.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 actually hoping to sell these machines,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk added.

ItB次元官网网址檚 certainly turned into a novel idea and captured plenty of attention since he installed the machine in early January.

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 spacey,B次元官网网址� said one patron from Esquimalt, who stopped to buy eggs. B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 seen anything like that.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a different kind of vending machine,B次元官网网址� added Groenendijk. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the only one in North Cowichan.

B次元官网网址淟ots of people are quite amazed by it. I get lots of comments, people saying this is a great idea.B次元官网网址�

He knows of only one other vending machine for eggs on the Island in Cobble Hill and itB次元官网网址檚 a slightly different model.

Groenendijk grew up on the family Greendyke Farm operation on Mount Sicker Road before recently starting up his own mainly dairy farming operation that heB次元官网网址檚 calling Legend Dairy Farms.

He figures itB次元官网网址檚 the perfect epic name for the site heB次元官网网址檚 renting from a guy who used to dairy farm there.

Since setting up the egg vending machine, B次元官网网址渋tB次元官网网址檚 been working out really well for me so far,B次元官网网址� said Groenendijk.

HeB次元官网网址檚 grateful to all the people who are supporting him as a young local farmer.

B次元官网网址淚 go every day and I put fresh eggs in every day,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk explained. B次元官网网址淭hey canB次元官网网址檛 be any more fresh.

B次元官网网址淪o far all my eggs are selling. ThereB次元官网网址檚 never really any inventory left from the day before. TheyB次元官网网址檙e usually sold out.B次元官网网址�

The machine can hold up to 50 cartons depending how itB次元官网网址檚 configured. Groenendijk has the normal dozen egg cartons, but also has 18s.

B次元官网网址淚 only have two rows dedicated toward 18s,B次元官网网址� he indicated.

All are brown eggs that currently sell for $6 a dozen and $9 for 18s.

B次元官网网址淚 just say all my eggs are ungraded,B次元官网网址� said Groenendijk. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e any size, shape.B次元官网网址�

Figuring out how to operate the machine is a bit perplexing at first, especially for older people who arenB次元官网网址檛 tech savvy, but itB次元官网网址檚 actually quite simple.

ItB次元官网网址檚 all operated by a bank card. By not using cash, it deters thieves.

The card must be tapped first for a pre-authorization, then you look in the vending machine for the product you want and type in the number of the selection. You tap your card again at the end to finalize the transaction.

The machine works with a little elevator to safely bring the eggs down to the pick-up spot in a gentle process that ensures none get cracked.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 nice, it keeps the eggs refrigerated as well,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk added.

He actually did considerable research before settling on this particular type of machine.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a good option,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk said.

B次元官网网址淎s long as I donB次元官网网址檛 sell out, thereB次元官网网址檚 eggs available 24/7 for the consumer. ItB次元官网网址檚 not sun up and sun down.B次元官网网址�

Egg vending machines that he discovered on the Lower Mainland are a different style with a locker system.

B次元官网网址淚 would say theyB次元官网网址檙e in their infancy,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk observed. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 not too many of these egg vending machines yet, but I do think itB次元官网网址檚 going to be catching on.B次元官网网址�

ItB次元官网网址檚 all very exciting for him as he branches into his other new endeavours as well.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 about to start production on my dairy April 5,B次元官网网址� Groenendijk said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l be milking my own cows soon.B次元官网网址�

You can also expect to see him in the near future as part of the CTV series Farming For Love. ItB次元官网网址檚 a reality series based on finding love matches for farmers and Groenendijk was selected for the show.

Filming has already been done at the Greendyke farm and details about broadcast dates in the late spring should be released soon.

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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