In August 2017 this dairy became the in first in Wales to install a raw milk vending machine in the milk shed. Raw Milk is available seven days a week at the farm gate from the DF Italia machine, which constitutes in a direct sale from farmer to consumer.

Gelli Farm is a small, third generation dairy farm, situated at Cefn Cribwr near Bridgend. The Granville family currently farm pedigree Ayrshire dairy cows. Rob and Kath Granville and daughter Beth diversified with the vending machine after a long period of low milk prices and realising that they were going to have to make changes or sell their beautiful herd of Ayrshire cows.

According to this article they spent many sleepless nights on the internet searching for a solution. They found the right kind of support through Farming Connect and accessed business planning as part of the advisory service.

The couple spent £14,100 on the 200 litre DF Italia vending machine and daily sales have since averaged 55 litres. The farm is happily situated on the side of a busy road close to the M4. Milk is sold for £1.20 for 1 litre and £2.20 for 2 litres compared to the 18 pence per litre they currently receive for bulk milk sales. Listen to the family's story in the interviews below:

"I think the one thing that the milk vending machine has done now is that we are more optimistic about the future. We're not going to make a million pounds but it gives you a bit more encouragement that you can milk the cows in the morning knowing that the public are ready to come and buy your product and give you a fair price for it."

“We’ve got one lady who has got crohn’s disease and since she’s been drinking raw milk, she’s noticed a big difference in her health.”

Audio: BBC Radio Wales' Rachael Garside interviewed the family for Country Focus. She asked if a milk vending machine can save a family dairy farm. 10 Sep 2017 (source)

Audio: BBC Farming Today interviewed the farmers of Gelli Farm. It was broadcasted at 21 Feb 2018 (source).

Image: the Granville family and the milk shed with the DF Italia vending machine. — ***Image:*** the Granville family and the milk shed with the DF Italia vending machine.

Image: NFU Cymru published an article about the family's raw milk, 30 January 2018. Click to enlarge images. — ***Image:*** NFU Cymru published an article about the family's raw milk, 30 January 2018. Click to enlarge images.

Recently a local Welsh television show called Ffermio made a short story about the farm. It is in Welsh but the video can still be enjoyed by Australians for its beautiful scenery. Thanks for sharing this video on Facebook Ffermio!