Bringing the REKO Ring concept to Australia

In early 2020, Jacki Hinchey of Blue Dog Farm (pictured) heard about the REKO Ring concept (watching her morning news) and immediately identified it as an opportunity that she would love to bring to Australia.

Within weeks of hearing the idea, the world went into lockdown and Jacki remembers the REKO Ring model, which she believed would be an opportunity to support local producers, makers and growers that were hurting due to supply chain issues and lockdowns.

Since this initial launch, the inaugural REKO Dayboro has grown to become a sustainable model, now adopted by over seven local REKO networks throughout South East Queensland and is now being rolled out Australia-wide

Jacki Hinchey

Owner, Blue Dog Farm & Founder of REKO Australia

I grew up on a sheep and cattle property in South Western Queensland. After first finding a career and life away from the farm, my strong connection to the land drew my husband and I to the Mary Valley. Later, we moved to Ocean View.

It was at Ocean View that I started growing an exciting variety of seasonal salad leaves. I brought them together in different combinations to create a salad mix for my family. 

My interest in growing the leaves wasn’t only about growing something nutritionally delicious. As the current custodian of the land, I wanted to care for it now and create something even better for its future. 

With more salad leaves than my family could eat, I started to share my salad mix with local families. I also established a farm gate stall. People came and bought the leaves. They told their friends and they came too.

Tammy, our friendly Blue Cattle Dog who likes to be part of every conversation, would greet every visitor to the farm gate stall. That’s how Blue Dog Farm got its name. My salad mix, with its variety, colour, and nutritional diversity was renamed by local families as Really Fancy Salad. 

Today, Really Fancy Salad is a weekly staple on plates in homes and restaurants all over Moreton Bay and Brisbane. I also farm Really Good Beef for those same plates too.