A move by Countdown supermarkets to sell only free farmed fresh pork means a boost for a north Canterbury pork farm.
Countdown has partnered with Patoa Farms, owned by farmer Steve Sterne and based in Hawarden, North Canterbury.
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Patoa has been free farming pork since 1998 and is independently certified by the SPCA.
Countdown's Head of Meat Alton Gullery said the move was in response to customers wanting to buy products from farms which meet high animal welfare standards.
"We've partnered with Patoa Farms for several years now, and have worked really closely together to be able to extend this even further, to the point where we're now able to supply 100 per cent free farmed fresh pork at all our stores nationwide," he said.
"We know that provenance, supporting local Kiwi producers and animal welfare are all increasingly important considerations for our customers," said Mr Gullery.
Meanwhile Steve Sterne from Patoa Farms is delighted they will soon be supplying more free farmed pork.
"We know that animal welfare and knowing animals are well cared for is really important for Kiwi customers, and we've always taken this approach to our farming business," he said.
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