The keynote speaker was Ian Thomas from Hawke's Bay in New Zealand where he and his wife Leslie run Purely Free-Range eggs. Obviously enjoying the attention of the stage and with perfect comedy timing he outlined their company's growth from selling to supermarkets then to Farmers' Markets and direct deliveries to offices with their own van. They still supply the local supermarket but have been dropped by the bigger chains they depended on. They've diversified to make their delivery round one where other local producers can also sell their vegetables and produce. He also showed us how they're repackaging their chook poo. Ian says it's no co-incidence that these 'Crappé' bags look a bit like a major coffee brand. Very upmarket.