New national grower processor entity to combine baby leaf processing network into Australia-wide supply chain
Hussey & Co celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2025 and the milestone is set to mark the start of a new era, with the launch of Hussey Group.
Established in 1975, Hussey & Co pioneered the baby leaf industry in Australia beginning with a 16ha farm in Victoria. The company has since evolved to become a vertically integrated national grower, processor, and distributor, with consistent year-round supply to major retailers, foodservice businesses, and international markets.
“It’s taken an incredible effort to build the business into what it is today,” says Jeremy Haw, managing director of Hussey & Co. “As we celebrate 50 years we reflect on our journey and are grateful to each and every person who has contributed to our success.”
As the company enters its 50th year, a new chapter is beginning for Hussey & Co with the launch of Hussey Group: a national grower processor model, the first of its kind in the Australian baby leaf industry.
With six national farms in Victoria and Western Australia and ready-to-eat processing facilities on the east coast and west coast of the country, Hussey Group has the capacity and capability to meet growing demand in retail, wholesale and export markets.
“By combining two geographically spread, highly capable, owner-operated grower processors into a single national supply chain, Hussey Group has created an unparalleled model of efficiency, sustainability, and reliability,” states Haw.
“This structure ensures consistent, high-quality baby leaf products year-round, with owner-operators deeply invested in their businesses.”
The opportunities and benefits to customers of Hussey Group are tangible – increased geographic spread minimises seasonal risk, and dual processing facilities in Victoria and Western Australia, including 24-hour processing capacity, position Hussey & Co with the capability to meet rising national and international demand with the assurance of quality.
Looking back over Hussey & Co’s 50-year journey, a long history of innovation and precision agriculture has contributed to the company’s success.
“Hussey & Co was the first Australian salad grower to invest in optical sorting technology, to dramatically improve product quality,” shares Haw. “Hussey & Co also installed the biggest air-drying tunnel ever developed to precisely control product moisture levels, improve shelf-life and food safety.”
Hussey & Co has invested significant R&D to create a proprietary processing model that prioritises food safety, which Haw says produces unrivalled quality and improves product value and performance.“Recently, our Victorian processing facility has been expanded with the installation of a second production line, enabling 24-hour processing,” shares Haw.
“A second raw materials cool room facility has also been developed to ensure cold-chain integrity and support capacity expansion.”
The investment in technology and sustainability also extends to reverse osmosis technology, which generates potable processing and drinking water at the processing facility, and the installation of the largest solar farm on the Mornington Peninsula – offsetting 100 per cent of Hussey & Co’s peak daytime energy use.Hussey & Co has dedicated itself to 50 years of innovation, excellence, and a relentless pursuit of quality to become a leader in its field.
With the launch of the Hussey Group national grower processor network, the company sees new opportunities to deliver on its promise as the producer of “Australia’s finest salads”.
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