Salty River Farm

Their first entries into the Outstanding Food Producer Awards in 2022 rewarded Salty River Farms with a Gold Medal and the title of Outstanding Fresh Produce Champion for their Baby Leaf Lettuce with Edible Flowers. So, it’s unsurprising that they won two Gold Medals when they entered again in 2025. Of Salty River Farm, Miner's Lettuce and Rocket, the judges said; ‘Wonderful product. Juicy and crunchy. Great combo of flavours’, and of Salty River Farm, Mixed Leaf Salad they waxed lyrical saying; ‘Unbelievable product. Resembles what you'd pick from your own garden’.

Salty River Farm’s story started in 2014 when - after nearly two decades on Waiheke Island - Daryn Rickwood and Louise Penny and their two boys moved to a small farm on the tidal arm of the Kaipara Harbour. They were determined to make their new venture, Salty River Farm, a success despite being told the 50-acre plot was too small to be viable.

They began breeding goats and selling the meat. However, when the abattoir they relied on closed, they pivoted to market gardening. Today, Salty River Farm is a thriving enterprise, growing and selling a variety of fresh, seasonal vegetables and herbs year-round. Their produce includes lettuce, coriander, dill, zucchini, scallopini, basil, tomatoes, beans, watercress, baby chard, miner’s lettuce, snow peas and rocket.

Daryn and Louise are committed to sustainable farming practices. They grow lettuces and some herbs using hydroponics, a method that uses less water than traditional farming. By growing plants in coconut coir and pumice, they ensure any waste can be composted. They also use filtered, recycled rainwater, further reducing their environmental impact. Other crops are grown in raised beds using the no-dig method, which relies on well-balanced soil and avoids synthetic pesticides and fertilisers. This approach not only preserves soil health but also promotes biodiversity.

Salty River Farm's commitment to sustainability extends beyond farming methods. They collect, store and filter rainwater and their garden paths - made of woodchip - act as sponges for excess water. They have very little waste, as offcuts and failed crops are fed to their goats and cattle, or are composted. Packaging is eco-friendly, using home-compostable bags, paper and cardboard and they take care to reuse cardboard punnets and seedling pots.

Energy efficiency is another priority. The hydroponics system uses the energy equivalent of a lightbulb and they avoid heavy machinery in their market garden. They minimise their carbon footprint by selling their produce within a 70km radius and through Ooooby online, making their products accessible to customers across Auckland.

Salty River Farm is chemical-free, using natural minerals in their hydroponics and bird nets instead of chemical deterrents. They also use bug and bird nets over their no-dig gardens to avoid insecticides.

Their commitment to sustainability is evident in their community engagement as well. At the legendary Matakana Village Farmers Market they connect with customers, share their farming practices and sell seedlings to encourage home gardening. They regularly provide their customers with stories and farm news. They support other small growers, gift seedlings to school and community gardens, and adapt quickly to changing market needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they switched to online sales and delivery, demonstrating their resilience and innovation.

Through hard work, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, Salty River Farm has proven it’s possible to achieve a lot on a little farm. Their success has definitely proven wrong, the doubters who suggested they couldn’t farm profitably on a 50-acre farm. Their journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of caring for the environment.

If you want to place a pre-order pick up or to learn more find Salty River Farm stockists here.