Organic dairy productsReader submitted

Hi, I heard last year that Fonterra closed down 25 organic farms in New Zealand - are there any left at all in New Zealand?  Is it possible to buy locally made cheeses and yoghurts, where the milk hasn't come from intensively farmed cows?  I just refuse to participate in, or fund in any way, any sort of animal cruelty, so would be really keen to know if there is any place I can buy animal-friendly dairy products!  Thanks.

 

24/01/2013  9:47 am by Milotech

Hi, am pretty sure it's possible to buy locally made cheeses etc through Farmers Markets. You'd have to talk to the stall holders themselves to see if they abide by organic principles but I think you'd find most (if not all) of them treat their animals beautifully so you'd have no qualms about eating their products. In my area (BOP), I met a lady who milks her cow by hand and through talking to her I can gather she gives it the best of care nutritionally - she sells the milk for $1.50 a bottle and people make their own cheese at home from it.

 

25/01/2013  9:40 am by Wordsmith65

Fantastic - thanks, will hit the rural back roads and see what I can find. And yes, time to start frequenting the markets again! Appreciate that!!!

 

24/03/2013  4:28 pm by Sue Wilson

I don't think Fonterra actually closed down the organic farms, they stop taking their milk, which probably amounts to the same thing but I hope to goodness other milk companies took them on instead. For some reason (?) people seem to think Fonterra is the only dairy company. Just watch their space - they're now looking to do open cast mining!