An egg producer for over 60 years, L.J. Fairburn and Son Limited is one of the largest shell egg producers, packers and distributers in the UK. Proud to be producing organic, free range, barn and colony eggs, Fairburn’s now produces and packs over 10 million eggs per week.

A bold decision to restructure their business in 2013 and market direct to retail has now been rewarded and their efforts to proactively adopt Sainsbury’s standards and embed them within the existing business has been recognised by the retailer.

Set up in 1997, the Lakes Free Range Egg Co Ltd (The Lakes) supplies, free range and organic shell egg that continues to be leading edge in animal welfare, ethical and environmental principles. They were the first to enrich ranges with tree planting and remain the only packer demanding all producers have biodiversity action plans. It was these principles that first attracted Sainsbury’s.

The Lakes Free Range Egg Company first began supplying Cumbrian Sainsbury stores with their ‘Lakes’ brand in December 2012. They became a key free-range and organic egg supplier across the Sainsbury’s portfolio in the run up to Christmas 2013.

Daniel Fairburn, Managing Director of Fairburn’s said: “To be given the ‘Best New Supplier’ award by Sainbsbury’s is an honour and a very welcome surprise for our team. We are a family business with strong values. From the farm to the fork, we are involved as a family in all egg production processes, this is an element of our unique business that Sainsbury’s appreciate.

“We are in control of every process and our short and finely tuned supply chain ensures delivery of the freshest eggs of the finest quality. Our attention to detail and drive for quality is recognised by the award.”

David Brass, Chief Executive at the Lakes said: “Our ethos of excellence in animal welfare and environmental provenance fits well with Sainsbury’s 20×20 Sustainability Plan. They source with integrity and we work with local family farms that have small flocks on enriched ranges. Winning this award in recognition of our commitment and dedication with attention to detail is something our whole team is very proud of. It is a fantastic achievement, to be recognised so early in our relationship means a great deal to us all.”

Both the Lakes Free Range Egg Co Limited and L.J. Fairburn and Son Limited now sit on Sainsbury's Egg Development Steering Group and look forward to working with Sainsbury’s in the future.