Taupo Beef & Lamb win gold

As Sharon says “it is nice to have some positive news when it has been such a challenging season with the drought & now the virus”.

Background: Mike and Sharon Barton created Taupō Beef & Lamb in response to the challenges of farming under the N cap. With the support of Lakes & Waterways Action Group, they decided to brand their beef from the Taupō Catchment to see whether consumers would be willing to pay a premium for ‘top quality’ produce that protected the lake.  “By paying a premium, consumers contribute to the costs of protecting Lake Taupō” says Mike. 

Based on outstanding initial feedback in 2011, Mike and Sharon founded the Taupō Beef: 'Grown Right Here’ brand.  It was a joint initiative between Taupō catchment farmers and the Lakes & Waterways Action Group Trust, and supported by Waikato Regional Council, Enterprise Taupō, and Destination Great Lake Taupō.

Taupō Beef is verifiably produced in a way that preserves the water quality of Lake Taupō for generations to come – a first for NZ.

Taupō Beef resonated with customers throughout the North Island and won numerous awards and accolades including The Sustainable Business Network’s Supreme Award for “The Business Making the Greatest Contribution to a Sustainable New Zealand” in 2015.

Mike and Sharon recently sold their Waihora Farm on the north western side of Lake Taupō to concentrate on consolidating and expanding their Taupō Beef & Lamb products and markets. At this time of lock-down in response to Covid 19 They are continuing to supply local food outlets including My Food Bag.

For more see: www.outstandingfoodproducer.co.nz and for more information about Taupō Beef & Lamb: www.taupobeef.co.nz

LWAG March 2020