The company behind ‘Australia’s finest salads’ is marking its half-century milestone with the launch of a national grower processor model.
Established in 1975, Hussey & Co helped pioneer the baby leaf category in Australia, becoming the first local grower in this space.
From humble beginnings as a 40-acre farm, the company has evolved to become a vertically integrated national grower, processor and distributor, with consistent year-round supply to major retailers, foodservice businesses, and international markets.
Hussey & Co Managing Director Jeremy Haw says it’s taken an incredible effort to build the business into what it is today.
“As we celebrate 50 years, we reflect on our journey and are grateful to each and every person who has contributed to our success,” he said.
With the company entering its 50th year, a new chapter is beginning for Hussey & Co with the launch of a national grower processor model, Hussey Group, promoted as 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 and west coasts, Hussey Group says it 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,” Mr Haw said. “This structure ensures consistent, high-quality baby leaf products year-round, with owner-operators deeply invested in their businesses.”
For customers, the benefits are tangible. Increased geographic spread minimises seasonal risk, and dual processing facilities in Victoria and WA, including 24-hour processing capacity, position Hussey Group with the capability to meet rising national and international demand with the assurance of quality.
Throughout its 50-year journey, innovation has been at the heart of Hussey & Co’s success.
“We’ve undertaken significant research and investment to develop a proprietary processing model that prioritises food safety, produces unrivalled quality and improves product value and performance,” Mr Haw said.
“Hussey & Co’s ‘cold, clean and dry’ processing system involves the unique combination of on-farm vacuum-cooling, triple-washing, optical sorting, air drying, air cooling and X-ray technology to create premium quality value-added ready-to-eat salads with extended shelf life, flavour and freshness.”
Recently, the company’s Victorian processing facility has expanded, with a second production line enabling 24-hour processing.
“A second raw materials cool room has also been developed to support capacity expansion,” Mr Haw said.
Additionally, the processing facility has invested in reverse osmosis technology, generating potable processing and drinking water on-site.
“This innovative technology ensures the safety and efficiency of water used in food-processing operations” Mr Haw said.
To improve the sustainability of processing facilities, Hussey & Co has developed what is said to be the largest solar farm on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsular, offsetting 100 per cent of the company’s peak daytime energy use.
“This sustainability initiative will reduce the company’s environmental footprint by more than 945 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum, for the next 25 years,” Mr Haw said, “which is the equivalent of taking 161 cars off the road annually.”
Hussey & Co says its leadership in the baby leaf industry has been recognised with numerous accolades over the years. These include the Governor of Victoria Export Award 2018, Victorian Grower of the Year Award 2019 and Excellence in Innovation Award 2019. In 2025, the business is also nominated for the AUSVEG Victorian Grower of the Year Award and Hort Connections National Grower of the Year Award.
With the launch of the Hussey Group national grower processor model, new opportunities will continue to develop for the company.
