When they first opened their roadside business, Faith Farm Fresh, over five years ago, the farmers were hoping to sell around 100 liters a day. They now average 300 liters daily, and on occasion, they have even sold out completely. This surprising demand is driven by customers who often believe that raw milk helps with various health conditions, such as diabetes and skin ailments. While Stacey Faith maintains she is a farmer, not a doctor, she notes this feedback is a key driver for her loyal clientele.

The production and sale of raw milk in New Zealand comes with strict regulations. To legally sell unpasteurized milk, producers must be registered, meet stringent hygiene standards, and conduct regular testing for pathogens. The article underscores that this rigorous process, along with the constant need for someone to be on call for machine maintenance, adds significant extra work for the busy farmers. The specialized cleaning of the cows for the raw herd also takes twice as long as for their main herd, which supplies milk to Fonterra.

Despite the additional labor and compliance requirements, Stacey Faith believes the effort is worthwhile. She is passionate about the environmental benefits, specifically the reduction of plastic waste through the use of refillable glass bottles, which harkens back to traditional dairy farming practices. The business also supports other local enterprises, such as the MenzShed, which makes their bottle crates, further boosting the local agribusiness community.