Farmers Union Iced Coffee
| Company type | Brand |
|---|---|
| Industry | Beverage |
| Predecessor | Farmers Union (dairy farmers' co-operative) |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Founder | South Australian dairy farmers' co-operative Farmers Union |
| Headquarters | South Australia , Australia |
Area served | Australia |
| Products | Flavoured milk beverages (iced coffee variants) |
| Owner | Bega Dairy & Drinks |
| Website | www |
Farmers Union Iced Coffee is a well-known flavoured milk beverage in Australia, particularly favored in South Australia. Initially created by the South Australian dairy farmers' co-operative Farmers Union, production is currently handled by Bega Dairy & Drinks, following previous ownership by National Foods and subsidiaries linked to the Japanese firm Kirin.
Launch
The product was first introduced in 1977 during the era when Farmers Union operated as a co-operative of dairy farmers. It has since become a cultural staple in South Australia and has extended its reach across the country. Marketed under the label “iced coffee”, this beverage blends coffee, glucose, and homogenised reduced-fat milk. Earlier formulations included an ingredient described as "iced confection," which was later removed, resulting in a change to the flavour profile. Packaging primarily features 600 mL cartons alongside smaller 375 mL cartons, which were replaced by 300 mL bottles in 2019. Additional packaging options have included 2 litre plastic cartons and 500 mL bottles; however, larger containers such as 3 litre cartons and 1 litre cartons were phased out by 2017 and 2013 respectively.
In 2003, consumption surpassed 22 million litres nationwide, establishing it as Australia's leading flavoured milk product at that time. Its widespread appeal enabled distribution through major fast-food outlets like McDonald's, KFC, and Hungry Jack's.
Automobile manufacturers also adapted to consumer preferences: cup holders in the third generation Mitsubishi Magna and the first generation Holden Cruze were specifically designed to accommodate Farmers Union Iced Coffee cartons.[1]
Since then, numerous competitors have entered the Australian market offering diverse recipes and packaging alternatives.
Commercials
In Australia, Farmers Union Iced Coffee is recognized for its memorable advertising campaigns featuring rugged workers engaging in ballet with heavy machinery to earn a truckload of the beverage from their employer. Another distinguished series of adverts employs dramatic narrations about significant global events juxtaposed with ordinary Australian life moments. Notable examples include:
- "When the wall came down" – depicting two men demolishing a wall during a home project, alluding to the fall of the Berlin Wall.
- "Survived the Apollo Disaster" – showing three drivers (one drinking Iced Coffee) having their Holden Apollo towed after an accident, referencing the Apollo space mission crisis.
- "There when the bras were burnt" – a man watches television as an iron burns a bra, symbolizing feminist liberation movements.
- "When Chisel broke up" – featuring a builder holding broken chisel tools, representing the disbandment of the band Cold Chisel.
- "Saw Cathy in Sydney in 2000" – portraying a man reuniting with an old friend named Cathy, linked to Cathy Freeman’s gold medal victory at the Sydney Olympics.
- "The Children Overboard" – two men converse on a speedboat while children fall from an inflatable raft, referencing the Howard government asylum seeker controversy.
- "Lived through the Millennium Bug" – showing a formally dressed man drinking Iced Coffee while swatting at an insect, symbolizing concerns surrounding the Y2K bug.
- "...and Trevor's Underarm" – two construction workers share Iced Coffee; one reveals body odour issues, alluding to Trevor Chappell’s infamous underarm bowling incident in cricket. Actor Terry Rogers appears in this ad.
- "Strongly opposed the Bush Invasion" – depicting a man trimming his neighbour’s bushes as a metaphor for opposition to George Bush’s invasion of Iraq.
New Flavour Variants
On 23 October 2006, Farmers Union expanded its product line in South Australia by launching two new iced coffee variants: Farmers Union Strong Iced Coffee, which features an intensified coffee blend and was subsequently introduced in Tasmania, and Farmers Union Light Iced Coffee, a version sweetened with aspartame to eliminate added sugar while maintaining a flavor profile close to the original.
The caffeine content for both the original and Light options is approximately 18 mg per 100 mL, whereas the Strong variant contains a higher concentration of 24 mg per 100 mL.
Due to its subtler flavor, the Light Iced Coffee experienced lower consumer acceptance compared to the original. In August 2011, Farmers Union unveiled Iced Coffee One, promoted with the tagline "100% taste, 1% fat and no added sugar," featuring a reformulated recipe. Initial consumer response was modest, leading to a significant promotional campaign in December 2011 that distributed 10,000 complimentary Iced Coffee One coupons redeemable at petrol stations and convenience outlets across South Australia.
Presence in Popular Culture
Farmers Union Iced Coffee is featured in the 2023 motion picture Emotion Is Dead, directed and written by Pete Williams.
See also
External links
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