New vending machine offers raw milk direct to customers at Northumberland dairy farm

The facility provides customers at Morwick Dairy, near Acklington, with fresh raw milk from the Howie-family’s award-winning dairy herd of Ayrshires, Holsteins and Jerseys.

The vending machine dispenses fresh milk in one-litre or two-litre units available in either glass bottles or plastic containers.

The machine automatically disinfects itself after each individual container has been filled in preparation for the next customer.

Morwick Dairy previously sold fresh milk through the farm’s renowned Morwick Ice Cream parlour and the decision to install an automatic vending machine in an adjoining facility provides customers with greater flexibility.

Partner Michael Howie said: “Customers can now purchase milk from 10am until 7pm, seven days per week. We get thousands of visitors every year to the ice cream parlour and this is an additional direct point of sale product for our customers.

“The facility has ease of access and we have two available car parks on site. Containers can be purchased on site and glass bottles can normally be reused for at least 20 occasions.”

Raw milk is becoming more and more popular due to its nutritional qualities and flavour.

Morwick Dairy is now offering raw milk to customers from a new vending machine.

The project to purchase and install a raw milk vending machine received grant assistance under the LEADER (coast and lowlands) scheme.

Mr Howie, who is president of the UK Ayrshire Society and his wife, Angie, are due to attend the 2020 World Ayrshire Cattle Breeders Conference in Australia later this month.

In May, the pair will welcome delegates to Northumberland as part of the UK Ayrshire Society Annual 2020 Conference Tour and AGM, held at the conference’s hotel-base, The Hog’s Head Inn, Alnwick.

The three-day event, from May 11-13, attracts over 150 delegates and includes a visit to Morwick Dairy to view the herd and facilities.

Further visits include Marleycote Ayrshires, near Hexham, and a tour to The Rigg & Furrow Brewery, Acklington Park, culminating in the conference’s banquet dinner hosted at Alnwick Castle.

Morwick Dairy Ice Cream offers a selection of 16 flavours of ice cream and refreshing fruit ices.