About Kalfresh

We’re produce professionals who control the whole fresh journey – from paddock to packet.

We've been growing, packing and selling fresh vegetables since 1992

We’re generational farmers who value and invest in innovation on farm and in production.

 Our Produce
ï‚… Ag Tech Innovation
 World's Best Facilities
ï“„ A Vision to Unite Growers
ï’¾ Family Owned
 Generational Farmers

Our Produce

We supply whole, pre-packed, prepped and ready to eat Certified Organic and conventional produce to retail and food service customers.
Our crop mix features carrots, green beans, sweet corn, onions, baby capsicums, pumpkin, mini melons and brassicas.

Ag Tech Innovation

We've been early adopters of automated and robotic technology to improve productivity and sustainability on our farms and in the factory.

Precision Farming

Our world’s best production facilities are located close to the farms which means we can move the crop from harvest to processing super-fast to lock in freshness and deliver our customers superior quality in store.

A Vision to Unite Growers

Kalfresh was established by Barry, Kay and Robert Hinrichsen, with a vision was to unite local growers in the Fassifern Valley under one brand, market the region’s produce collectively and provide customers with a one-stop shop for their produce needs.

Family Owned

Kalfresh is now owned by four farming families and while the scale of what we do has changed, our focus remains the same – to be a supplier of choice for customers, to innovate, adapt and grow to keep pace with a changing marketplace and to be industry leaders.

Generational Farmers

We work with generational farmers and together we innovate to grow the healthiest, tastiest, nutrient-rich crops we can. We have a robust history of bringing people together, a long-term track record of consistency, delivering fresh whole and prepared vegetables.

A Vision to Unite Growers

Kalfresh was established by Barry, Kay and Robert Hinrichsen, with a vision was to unite local growers in the Fassifern Valley under one brand, market the region’s produce collectively and provide customers with a one-stop shop for their produce needs.

Family Owned

Kalfresh is now owned by four farming families and while the scale of what we do has changed, our focus remains the same – to be a supplier of choice for customers, to innovate, adapt and grow to keep pace with a changing marketplace and to be industry leaders.

Ag Tech Innovation

We’ve been early adopters of automated and robotic technology to improve productivity and sustainability on our farms and in the factory.

Generational Farmers

We work with generational farmers and together we innovate to grow the healthiest, tastiest, nutrient-rich crops we can. We have a robust history of bringing people together, a long-term track record of consistency, delivering fresh whole and prepared vegetables.

Our Produce

We supply whole, pre-packed, prepped and ready to eat Certified Organic and conventional produce to retail and food service customers.
Our crop mix features carrots, green beans, sweet corn, onions, baby capsicums, pumpkin, mini melons and brassicas.

Precision Farming

Our world’s best production facilities are located close to the farms which means we can move the crop from harvest to processing super-fast to lock in freshness and deliver our customers superior quality in store.

Our Mission

To create a better farming future for our community, consumers and for the environment.

Our Guiding Principles

T

A Grower's Heart

A Grower's Heart

Farming is our heartbeat. We know success starts in the paddock.
Sustainability is at our core - we make decisions for the next generation, not
just for today. We strive to be better, to innovate and adapt.
T

Force For Good

Force For Good

We’re growing a better farming future for our community, consumers and the
environment.

We do good for good’s sake. Not for the accolades, just because it’s the right thing to do.

T

Grit & Humility

Grit & Humility

We don’t make a fuss. We roll up our sleeves and get the job done.

If we say we’ll do it, we will.

T

Family Values

Family Values

Our success is defined by the legacy we leave for the next generation.

We provide opportunity for personal growth. We are transparent, open and honest. We speak the truth and face facts.

T

We Win Together

We Win Together

We nurture transparent, win-win relationships. We know the greatest success comes when great people work together to achieve their collective potential.

Our History

Kalfresh started in 1992 as a small family-owned business. It has grown and adapted since then to be one of Australia’s leading vertically-integrated fresh vegetable businesses.

Watch the Kalfresh Story
1992
Barry, Kay and Robert Hinrichsen

Barry, Kay and Robert Hinrichsen establish Kalfresh to unite Fassifern Valley growers under one brand.

1994

Richard Gorman joins as a casual during university holidays.

1990s
Invest in new washing and packing systems
We invest in new washing and packing systems for pre-packed carrots and hydrocooled beans.
We expand the Kalbar washing and packing shed to keep pace with demand.
1996
Chilled Washing and Packing Improvements
Improvements in chilled washing and packing systems and refrigerated transport mean we can export carrots to new customers.
1998
1998 Angus Stainlay joins Kalfrehs in carrot production role
Angus Stainlay joins Kalfresh in a carrot production role.
2000
2001 Trial of robotic carton stacker
We trial a new robotic carton stacker.
2001
New Two Row mechanical Carrot Harvester
A group of Kalfresh growers invest in a two-row self-propelled Asalift carrot harvester for use on crops throughout the region.
2002
2002 Kallium Onions launched
Barry and Richard start Kallium Onions and grow their first crop of sweet mild onions during Qld spring window. They purchase site next to Kalfresh and install the first onion drying room and build a prototype mechanical harvester.
2002
2002 Pixall Bean Harvester
Barry and Rob purchase a Pixall bean harvester. Barry can often be found behind the wheel, harvesting beans early in the morning.
2007
2007 Kalfresh buys trucking business Beutels Transport
Kalfresh buys local trucking business Beutels Transport and brothers Gavin and Darren join Kalfresh to continue delivering our fresh vegetables to customers as they and their father had done for more than a decade.
2012
2012 First Kalfresh Carrot Day

Kalfresh and Kallium businesses merge.

We host our first Carrot Day and become a foundation sponsor of the Scenic Rim Eat Local Week Festival.

2013
Richard becomes Kalfresh CEO
Richard becomes Kalfresh CEO
2014
Carrot Vision Grader
We install Carrot Vision Graders to deliver rapid and precise grading capabilities.
2015
2015 Commercial winter cropping trial in Bowen with Jamie and Melita Jurgens
We begin a commercial winter cropping trial in Bowen with Jamie and Melita Jurgens.
May 2015
2015 Farmers wives lead launch of Just Veg brand

We build a high-care value-adding facility at Kalbar and launch Just Veg. prepared carrots exclusively with Woolworths. The launch and branding is led by a group of working mothers and farmers’ wives.

November 2015
We partner with Australian cricketer Joe Burns to promote healthy eating to kids.
We partner with Australian cricketer Joe Burns to promote healthy eating to kids.
October 2015
2015 Carrot Beer partnership with brewer Wade Curtis
We partner with crafter brewer Wade Curtis to make Carrot Beer using juice from wonky carrots. We share our story with the Today Show.
2016
2016 Kalfresh owners Robert Hinrichsen, Richard Gorman, David Krause, Angus Stainlay
David Krause and Angus Stainlay become shareholders in Kalfresh, joining Richard, Robert, Barry and Kay as owners of the business.

We establish a Joint Venture with Jamie and Melita Jurgens in Bowen – Vee Jays Kalfresh Pty Ltd and plant our first commercial organic crops in Bowen.

2017
We celebrate 25 years in business

We celebrate 25 years in business.

2019
We purchase a new farm at Clintonvale in the Southern Downs
We purchase a new farm at Clintonvale in the Southern Downs, to provide temperature variation for early and late season cropping.
May 2019
2019 SRAIP proposal declared a Coordinated Project by the Qld Government
Our proposal for the Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct is declared a Coordinated Project by the Qld Government.
May 2019
We host Carrot Couture, a veggie themed fashion parade
We host Carrot Couture, a veggie themed fashion parade in the paddock, in partnership with Jericho Road and Gen Windley during Scenic Rim Eat Local Week.
May 2020
Scenic Rim Farm Box
We launch Scenic Rim Farm Box, a home delivery service of local produce, in partnership with Scenic Rim Regional Council and Gen Windley. Weekly deliveries to Brisbane, Scenic Rim, Ipswich, Logan and Toowoomba.
2022
We trial new snacking carrots
We trial new snacking carrots to meet growing consumer demand for healthy snack foods.

We expand our sweet corn facility at Kalbar and install an automated carrot packing and crate-filling line.

2023
We partner with farmer Ed Windley to trial the Farmdroid
We partner with farmer Ed Windley to trial the Farmdroid, a new solar-powered on-farm robot that seeds and weeds.

Automated carrot crate and packing line installed.

May 2024
The State Government gives green light for Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct to proceed.
The State Government gives green light for Scenic Rim Agricultural Industrial Precinct to proceed.
September 2024
Work starts on a large purpose-built onion production facility
Following extensive international research on industry best-practice we start work on a large purpose-built onion production facility and temperature-controlled drying rooms.

We also install a new vision grader for beans.

Kalfresh Logo

info@kalfresh.com.au
07 5410 7700

Proud supporters of

Food Bank Australia
Ozharvest Australia
Eat-Local-Month-Scenic-Rim
Boonah State High School