62 | When Rebecca and Quintin Hazlett changed direction from conventional to certified organic farming at Hukarere Station in 2008, their goal was to take better care of the natural environment and to produce premium organic meat for the New Zealand market. Today, they are proud of how far they have come as an award winning certified organic meat producer. The West Otago couple say their organic farming journey has been challenging at times, but they now love being able to directly supply ethically raised meat with consumers via their own certified organic meats brand, Meat With Us. Launched only last year, Meat with Us has just won a Gold Medal at the 2024 Outstanding Food Producer Awards. Judges praised their Certified Organic Ribeye Beef entry for having ‘a delicate and elegant flavour with good chew and great mouthfeel’. It is no surprise to learn that this is one of the most popular steak cuts for Meat With Us. Rebecca and Quintin describe the accolade as “a huge honour”. They say the judges’ comments reinforce the positive feedback they have had from family, friends and foodie customers from all around New Zealand “We believe the certified organic farming environment, low stress handling and diverse pasture composition all contribute to our beef and lamb’s flavour and tenderness. “We have always believed we had a good product and this gives us the confidence to continue offering Meat With Us to more New Zealanders online. It has highlighted to people nationwide that it is possible to receive a high quality, certified organic meat product fresh to their door.” As they say, ‘the right choice feels good’ and they want to make it easy for people to make that choice. Getting their certified organic meat to consumers starts with sending an animal for processing at Black Origin Meats in Gore before delivery to butcher Chris Brown in Ashburton. There, it is carefully aged before Chris prepares the meat and small goods for packing. Once packed out, the orders are collected from Ashburton for overnight dispatch via Christchurch. “We wish to acknowledge our staff at Hukarere who help to produce a premium product in the first place, as well as our amazing butcher Chris who does a fantastic job, plus Black Origin Meats for our beef processing, Ashburton Meat Processors for our lamb processing, Good Meats Refrigerated Transport – and, of course, our customers.” Meat With Us offers a choice of boxed certified organic meat product, all ethically raised and expertly cut. Their most popular offering is the 11kg Classic Box – the bigger the box, the better the selection of meat cuts. People can also customise their box by “swapping out” or choosing how they would like a certain cut prepared. This award winning brand is backed with Certified Organic AsureQuality accreditation, audited annually. The organic certification mark gives consumers confidence that what they are buying has been produced in compliance with organic standards covering all farming facets from animal, soil and environmental management to social policy, packaging and recycling. “We believe organic meat produced this way is not only nutrient dense but customers can also be confident their purchase supports and promotes ethical and environmentally conscious farming practices.” Hukarere Station in West Otago is an award-winning certified organic meat producer. REGIONAl DEVELOPMENT Hukarere Trading Co - Meat With Us - Outstanding Food Producers Awards 2024 Phone: 03 983 5500 waterfordpress.co.nz Your Business, Your Industry, Your News. DO OUR READERS KNOW YOU EXIST? T T Kim Newth Meat With Us wins gold at awards PROUDTO PARTNERWITH HUKARERE TRADING CO Hukarere Trading Co GREAT MACHINES GREAT TEAM GREAT RESULTS 150 Cameron Rd, Tapanui Hamish - 027 430 6869 (03) 204 8112 office@kkcl.nz SERVICES INCLUDING: • STABILISING • ROCK CRUSHING • CHIPPING • MACHINE CONTROL AVAILABLE • STUMP GRINDING &MULCHING • REEFINATOR • EARTHMOVING & GENERAL EXCAVATION • SILAGE • TRANSPORTING SERVICES
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