The white stuff gets a green makeover for discerning patrons
Old-fashioned, creamy milk is back, with a high-tech makeover to help Taupō people make their morning coffee more sustainable.
Opepe Farm Trust has mobilised a new self-service milk dispensary trailer where people can pick up a classic glass bottle of the white stuff, or refill a container of their choice to go green.
The milk travels just 12km from Opepe Farm Trust’s 4876ha farm to the trailer’s regular sites in Taupō’s CBD, making it a more sustainable choice for anyone watching their food miles.
The milk is minimally handled, being lightly pasteurised to kill off potentially harmful bacteria, but left unhomogenised.
The homogenisation process uses pressure to distribute fat evenly throughout milk, making its texture consistent but causing it to lose the rising layer of cream that many will remember from opening a bottle of milk in years gone by.
Choosing locally-produced, unhomogenised milk means “you can see and taste the difference” said Opepe Farm Trust general manager, Vernon Rameka.
“The farm is giving owners and locals access to the freshest milk in the region.”
The old-fashioned approach is complemented by modern safety standards, however, with the trust complying with Ministry for Primary Industries standards including regular reporting, testing, monitoring and auditing.
This ensures the milk consumers can get straight from the chilled trailer is subject to the same processes as supermarket milk.
As well as being a local business, Opepe Farm Trust has welfare and sustainability in mind, Rameka said.
“Our goal is to look after our cows in the most natural setting possible.
“The best practice is for our cows to be rested so they are in the best health.”
The cows ‘dry off’ each season from the end of May for two to three months, so anyone wanting a rich milk fix will have a few weeks to get their dairy hit before it goes off sale until spring.
As well as two dairy units, the trust also has a sheep and beef unit and forestry.
In the future, Rameka said they hoped to offer other farm produce if their milk venture takes off.
“We have lots of ideas for the future but it would only ever be on a small scale to cater to our owners and the local community — Opepe Farm Fresh Milk is a great start!”
■ Opepe Milk’s self-serve dispensary can be found opposite the AC Baths at Venture Park, 250 Spa Rd Monday to Friday from 8.30am-5.30pm on a self-serve basis, and at Market Central, Northcroft Reserve on Sundays.