Frequently Asked Questions

🕒 Opening Hours

What are your opening hours?
Our milk vending machine is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
Office hours are 8am–5pm, Monday to Friday — but feel free to message us anytime and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

🥛 About the Milk

Is the milk pasteurised or raw?
We offer both raw milk and gently pasteurised milk, bottled fresh in reusable glass.

Is the milk homogenised?
No. Our milk is non-homogenised, so the cream rises naturally to the top. Shake it in or scoop it off—your choice!

Is it full cream or low fat?
It’s full cream milk, just as nature intended.

How fresh is the milk?
Raw milk is added to the vending machine within 30 hours of milking. Pasteurised milk is typically 1–2 days old when you receive it—always fresh and never sitting around.

How long does the milk last?
Raw milk: 4 days (legal limit), but often lasts 7–10 days when properly handled.
Pasteurised milk: lasts up to 12 days.

How should I store it?
- Use clean bottles/containers
- Bring a chilly bin or ice pack if possible
- Keep refrigerated and out of direct sunlight
- If left out for more than 2 hours, tip it out
- Use your senses—if it smells or tastes off, don’t drink it

🐄 On the Farm

What breed of cows do you have?
A mix of Friesian, Jersey, and crossbred cows.

How many cows do you milk?
We milk up to 50 cows, once per day. It’s a low-stress approach that helps the cows produce rich, high-quality milk.

What do the cows eat?
A grass-based diet, including pasture, baleage, and silage—no grain concentrates.

Do you use antibiotics?
Only when absolutely necessary for animal welfare. Treated cows are removed from the milking herd until their milk is antibiotic-free.

Are you registered to sell raw milk?
Yes. We are fully MPI certified and have a registered Risk Management Programme (RMP).

🧴 Bottles & Vending

Do I need to bring my own bottle?
You can bring your own clean bottle, or purchase our reusable 1L glass bottles from the vending machine for $2 each.

How does the vending machine work?
Insert your bottle, pay at the terminal, and select your quantity. Easy, clean, and quick.

Is milk available year-round?
Yes, we milk year-round and aim to maintain a steady supply of both raw and pasteurised milk.

🚚 Delivery & Availability

Do you deliver?
Yes! We offer home delivery in selected areas. Visit our Home Delivery page to see availability and sign up.

Where can I buy your milk in-store?
You’ll find us at local stores and cafés across the South. View the full list here.

Can cafés and retailers stock your milk?
Yes. If you’re interested in becoming a stockist, get in touch here.

💡 Other Helpful Questions

Can I freeze the milk?
You can freeze pasteurised milk (with minor texture changes). We don’t recommend freezing raw milk.

What happens to unsold milk?
Any unsold milk is used on the farm (e.g., for calves) or responsibly discarded. We never re-bottle or re-sell milk.

❓Still Have Questions?

Reach out via our Contact Page or email us at hello@farmfreshsouth.nz. We're happy to help.