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Henry and Rita Hilton are one of the few farming couples in the Stanley area that are still positive about the future of apple growing. They run a model farm that has a thriving on farm shop and direct marketing at the farm gate has made the business much more viable.
Henry and Rita have many customers who drive the distance out to Stanley to buy their fruit and learn about how their production system works.
They also deliver their produce of apples, stone fruit, raspberries and chestnuts over a large area within the north-east of Victoria and southern New South Wales. One of their most important markets is the Albury-Wodonga Farmers Market where they can meet and talk with potential and existing customers.
Henry and Rita began Snowline Fruits in Stanley, Victoria in 1980. Originally working for Nightingales Orchards for 25 years, they now have 35 acres of their own growing apples and have more recently diversified into soft fruits.
Henry is originally from Kent in England and worked as a manager for Nightingales for 25 years developing a distinct area of Stanley through planting trees, now known as the 'Toorak end' of Stanley because of it's exotic beauty and autumn colours. They were attracted to this area because of the sweeping and uncluttered views which are a stunning feature of Stanley, particularly from the top of the farm, with views over to Mt Buffalo and beyond.
The main challenges to the business include the weather and the supermarkets. Three years ago their orchard was devastated by a hail storm that left many trees permanently damaged and the year's crop ruined. The supermarkets constantly want produce at cheaper and cheaper prices, which will eventually reduce the farmers margins to impossible levels.
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