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Waikato Organic / Regenerative Food Producers
Critera for the list
The Hearthstone Food Producer List was started by Nina Parker of The Micro Farm, a trustee of Hearthstone and who runs a market garden on the Hearthstone Site.​ The aim is to collaborate a formal list (ever growing) of Waikato food businesses who focus on providing food that is grown organically, without chemical input, AND with a focus on soil health as the basis for medicinal constituents, and nutrition.
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Criteria
​General criteria
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​Selling food product commercially with a NZ food certificate (exempting food businesses that do not require NP1 by MPI frameworks)
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Business located within the Waikato Region.
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Production criteria for primary producers
- A product must be produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, antibiotics, growth hormones, food additives, and synthetic chemicals, GMO’s and irradiation. Information must be supplied to confirm practices and how this is achieved. Note: If a producer is certified as Organic this requirement is met and organic certification is sufficient.
- Information must be supplied to display a focus on soil health (as the basis for nutrient dense food) and an outline with examples given to show how this is achieved. For example:
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A full list of inputs used in food operation - including biologicals.
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Methods to minimise impact on or support the soil food web and microbial life.
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Rotational tracking systems to avoid nutrient depletion or support soil health.
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Growing practices adopted that support soil health i.e. permaculture, bio intensive.
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Soil testing or observational tracking that focuses on diversity, balanced ecological systems and soil health.
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Other supportive information or systems in place to support soil health.
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Criteria for secondary producers
All ingredients used must meet the production criteria above in clause 1 and 2. Applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis and may be subject to requests for more information.
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Waikato Food Producers who meet Hearthstone Criteria
As at 19 April 2025. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. We intend to add businesses who meet criteria, as they become known to us.
BUSINESS NAME | LOCATION | PRODUCTS | WEBSITE |
|---|---|---|---|
Du Pain Du Pain | Hamilton | Bread | https://www.instagram.com/dupainanddupain |
Earth Stewards | Hamilton | Vegetables, herbs | http://www.earthstewards.nz |
Expleo | Te Awamutu | Beef, chicken, lamb, pork | http://www.expleo.co.nz |
Good Bugs | Hamilton | Sauerkraut, kimchi & fermented foods | https://www.goodbugs.co.nz |
Little Pirongia Farms | Pirongia | Vegetables, herbs, flowers | http://www.littlepirongiafarms.co.nz |
Meyer Cheese | Hamilton | Cheese | http://www.meyercheese.co.nz |
Monovale Blueberries | Monovale | Blueberry products | https://monavaleblueberries.co.nz/ |
Morning Glory | Raglan | Coffee | http://www.morningglory.co.nz |
My Garden Table | Pirongia | Vegetables, herbs, seedlings | http://www.instagram.com/my_garden_table_nz |
Quarter Acre Kitchen | Kaipaki | Vegetables, preserves *Only some preserves currently meet our criteria. | https://www.instagram.com/quarteracrekitchen/ |
Raglan Chocolate | Raglan | Chocolate | https://www.raglanchocolate.co.nz/ |
The Micro Farm | Parawera | Vegetables, salads, fruit, herbs (culinary & medicinal), teas & spices | http://www.themicrofarm.co.nz |
The Organic Food Shop | Parawera | Honey, eggs, vegetables, beef, lamb, chicken | http://www.theorganicfoodshop.nz/ |
Tomtit Farm | Matangi | Vegetables, herbs, seedlings | http://www.tomtitfarm.com |
Wholly Cow | Cambridge, Hamilton | Beef, Lamb, Pork | https://www.whollycow.co.nz |