SunLive – Opepe Farm Trust offers self-service for milk, Taupō

Old-fashioned, creamy milk is making a comeback in Taupō, as a high-tech makeover will help locals make their morning coffee more sustainable.

Opepe Farm Trust has introduced a new self-service milk vending machine where the public can pick up a classic glass bottle of the white stuff or refill a container of their choice.

The milk travels just 12km from Opepe Farm Trust’s 4,876 hectare farm to the trailer’s regular locations in the Taupō CBD, making it a more sustainable choice for anyone watching their food miles.

The milk is minimally treated and lightly pasteurized to kill potentially harmful bacteria, but is not homogenized.

The homogenization process uses pressure to distribute the fat evenly throughout the milk, making its texture consistent but losing the rising layer of cream that many will remember from opening a bottle of milk in days gone by.

By choosing locally produced, non-homogenized milk, people can “see and taste the difference,” says Vernon Rameka, chief executive of Opepe Farm Trust.

The Opepe Farm Trust is bringing fresh, chilled self-serve milk to Taupō’s CBD. Photo supplied.

“The farm gives owners and locals access to the freshest milk in the region.”

However, the old-fashioned approach is complemented by modern safety standards, with the trust meeting Department for Primary Industry standards, including regular reporting, testing, monitoring and auditing.

This ensures that the milk that consumers can take directly from the refrigerated trailer is subjected to the same processes as supermarket milk.

Opepe Farm Trust is not only a local business, but also has wellness and sustainability in mind, says Vernon.

“Our goal is to care for our cows in the most natural environment possible. This doesn’t mean you have to milk them until they drop.

“The best practice is for our cows to rest so they are in the best health.”

The cows ‘dry’ for two to three months each season from the end of May, so anyone wanting a rich milk fix has a few weeks to get their dairy product in before it goes off sale until spring.

As well as two dairy units, the trust also has a sheep and beef unit and forestry.

Vernon said they hoped to offer other farm products in the future if their dairy venture was a success.

“We have a lot of ideas for the future, but this should only be on a small scale to suit our owners and the local community – Opepe Farm Fresh Milk is a great start!”

– The Opepe Milk self-service pharmacy is located opposite the AC Baths at Venture Park, 250 Spa Rd Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm on a self-service basis, and on Sundays at Market Central, Northcroft Reserve.

-The country