This page lists places in the Waikato where locally produced food can be bought.
I do my best to keep the information up to date. Suggestions and updates are appreciated.
Since the Covid lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, many suppliers are offering deliveries.
For a list of certified organic producers, see the Waikato Foodbasket post on local food and organics.
FARMERS’ MARKETS
The first place to look for locally produced fruit, veges, meat, fish, eggs, bread, honey, cheese and more.
www.waikatofarmersmarkets.co.nz
Hamilton Farmers’ Market: 3 Brooklyn Rd, Claudelands, every Sunday morning 8-12 noon
Cambridge Farmers Market: Victoria Square, cnr Victoria St and Alpha St, every Saturday morning 8-12 noon
Online orders or click and collect: https://waikatofarmersmarkets.co.nz/pages/shop-by-category
RETAILERS
The Farm Shop
In Gordonton Village. Great range of local veges and fruit; also meat, cheese, milk, freshly baked bread, local preserves, olive oil and much more. Also vege box deliveries.
1060 Gordonton Rd; 07 824 3555; shop hours Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm (Weds, Thurs, Sat 10am to 6pm); www.thefarmshop.co.nz also The Farm Shop Facebook page.
Whole Heart
A small independent food store with an excellent range of organic, free-range and/or spray-free food.
Queenwood Village, Shop 15, Queenwood Ave, Hamilton
Phone: 07 855 4558
The Village Farm Shop at Whatawhata
1 Rothwell Lane, Whatawhata
TOFS (The Organic Farm Shop)
Sell certified organic meat, sourdough bread and other foods at their Hamilton shop at 108 Commerce St, Frankton (on the corner of Commerce St and Lake Rd). Also online via their website. https://tofs.co.nz/
Organic Nation (formerly Village Organics)
Specialist organic food retailer. A great range of fresh produce, spices, meat, bulk ingredients and processed food at good prices. Since mid-2018 it has had new management: the new owner is John Pellew and the manager is Sue Williams.
245 Commerce St, Frankton, Hamilton (on the corner at the railway end of Commerce St)
www.organicnation.co.nz
Bin Inn Dinsdale
Owner-operated grocer and bulk foods store that stocks locally produced food as much as possible.
Shop 34, 47 Whatawhata Rd, Dinsdale, Hamilton www.facebook.com/bininndinsdale11
Phone (07) 847 7045
MEAT
Wholly Cow
Real butchers, selling good quality free-range meat, mostly grown in the Waikato. (Their chicken and pork comes from further afield, but it’s all produced in New Zealand.)
Cambridge shop at 47 Victoria St, Cambridge, Phone 07-827 6651
They also offer deliveries via their phone app.
Soggy Bottom Holdings
Only at the farmers’ markets. Great free-range bacon, sausages, pork pies, also free-range beef and lamb.
TOFS
Sell certified organic meat, sourdough bread and other foods at their Hamilton shop on the corner of Lake Rd and Commerce St, Frankton. Also at the local farmers’ markets, and online via their website. https://tofs.co.nz/
Grandad’s Beef
Premium quality, nutrient dense beef produced on Maureen and Cliff Bayliss’s Te Uku farm, using regenerative farming methods. Available in Hamilton at Organic Nation, Bin Inn Dinsdale and New World Rototuna.
LOCAL MILK PRODUCERS
Here are two excellent milk suppliers that I use regularly.
They are all small-scale producers by the standards of the huge New Zealand dairy industry.
Jersey Girl Organics
Matamata-based Jersey Girl Organics produce certified organic, A2 full-cream milk. They sell their milk at the Waikato farmers’ markets, and also through selected local retailers and supermarkets.
Dreamview Creamery
Dreamview Creamery, near Raglan, produce both raw and pasteurized milk in glass bottles. (Although they don’t have organic certification.)
Dreamview Creamery milk is available at selected retailers, including my local Hamilton East Bin Inn. They also offer home deliveries.
BREAD AND BAKING
Volare
Classic European-style breads, using traditional sourdough methods.
236 Kahikatea Drive, Hamilton; 07 847 1206; open Mon-Fri 8.30am to 3 pm; Saturday 8.30am to 12 noon.
Volare are at the farmers’ markets and also sell at an increasing number of outlets. The latest is in Grey St, Hamilton East.
TOFS
Sourdough bread at their Hamilton shop at the corner of Lake Rd and Commerce St, Frankton. Also online via their website. https://tofs.co.nz/
CHEESE
There are several small-scale cheesemakers in the region.
The Gouda Cheese shop
The two Hamilton shops sell a great range of award-winning Meyer cheeses, made in Hamilton, plus other New Zealand and international cheeses, and Volare bread (also made in Hamilton).
Hillcrest: 245 Cambridge Rd, phone (07) 856 6633
Rototuna Retail Centre: Shop 3, Thomas Rd, phone (07) 855 4433
Aroha Organic Goat Cheese
Award-winning goat cheese produced on the Te Aroha farm of Jeanne and the late John van Kuyk. The cheeses, which include a range made from raw milk, are available from their website. Here’s a link to an article I wrote about the van Kuyks.
email: aroha@organicgoatcheese.co.nz
Over The Moon Dairy Company
31 Tirau St, Putaruru
They are also at Hamilton Farmers’ Market.
Cilantro
Artisanal goat and sheep milk cheeses. Available from the factory at Ruakura.
Seasonal veges
NB this list is being updated. Suggestions welcome.
I’ve mainly included producers who offer online orders. Most are also at the local farmers’ markets.
Earth Stewards
Certified organic produce. Available at Hamilton Farmers’ Market. They also have a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) weekly vege box scheme.
Farmer Jons
Certified organic produce available to order online.
Tomtit Farm
Certified organic veges, herbs, salad greens and micro-greens and flowers, grown in Matangi. Produce is available at the farm fridge located at 165c Matangi Road, at the Front Paddock Cafe. They also deliver locally – see website for more info. And they have seasonal PYO flowers.
Backyard Jem
Veges grown using regenerative agriculture systems. At the farmers markets and also online orders.
Catos potatoes, garlic and veges
Veges grown using regenerative agriculture practices. At the farmers markets. Deliveries available.
Catos.co.nz Check their Facebook page for info about deliveries.
Southern Belle
Sweet capsicums, chillies, feijoas in season.
Rivendell Gardens
Tomatoes, beans and capsicum. At Cambridge Farmers’ Market and Hamilton Farmers’ Market in season.
GoodBugs
Sauerkraut and other fermented vege products www.goodbugs.co.nz Nationwide deliveries. Check their facebook page for updates.