Buying organic, grain fed, free range, etc.

[KWalker]

My fiancee and I are always looking into ways to be better people, things we can do to be more environmentally friendly, etc. I definitely understand the whole "one person isn't going to make a difference" argument but for moral purposes (and of course health) we want to start buying from meat markets, butchers, etc who have different practices instead of those who do it on a large scale basis and use growth hormone and pump other chemicals into the animals to make them bigger, faster for profit.

Is it hard to find meats that come from alternative sources? Do independent butchers usually still use chemicals for fast turnovers and more meat?

Whats the difference in cost when looking at grocery stores compared to independent farmers? What I mean by this is I realize it would be virtually impossible to give close, or even approximate answers but for those who eat this way do you notice a huge difference or is it the difference of a few dollars for say a package of chicken breasts?

I could never go vegetarian just because I love meat but I feel that if I atleast change the people I buy from I can still contribute and feel like I'm doing atleast a little better.

Do you ever actually know if the people are honest when they say they don't use those chemicals and whatnot or do you just trust them?

Any suggestions or feedback would be awesome.

 

[Gianni]

Hey KWalker

I'm glad to hear you want to better your health, the environment, and local business It's so very important to move to a more sustainable life style as well as not supporting those who act irresponsibly in the food industry and any other industry for that matter.

One person can make a difference, don't ever think otherwise

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead


Independent butchers can and will use chemicals for fast turnover but like anything, you just need to do your research. Local farms whom have nothing to hide often have open visiting hours to anyone who wants to see the operations that go on at the farm, I suggest you utilize those hours.

Many farmers will increase the cost of the meat because their meat is organic and they see the benefit in that. However many farmers will actually charge around the same price because they do not have to go through a grocery store chain who will mark up the price so they can also make a profit.

I don't personally trust anyone, no matter what they tell me unless it is my family. I have to see for myself. That's not to say that I think everyone in untrustworthy, it's just to be sure because my health is number one priority for me and i'd rather it be in my hands rather than someone elses.

I would suggest using farms and local outlets to get your meats because the USDA and how they regulate their meats are immoral.

Take "Free range" for example:

Unfortunately "free range" isn't what most people think it is. USDA guidelines yield that chickens must have access to outside but it doesn't specify how large the area, the duration of time, or the quality of ground. So by simply having a door on the side of the coop and a fenced area of dirt patch large enough for 1 chicken to go outside, the farmers will be able to stamp free range on their products. And that is often what they do.

That regulation only is enforced on poultry, according to the USDA.

other meat, egg, milk products are all unregulated and requires only producer testimonials.

could never go vegetarian just because I love meat but I feel that if I atleast change the people I buy from I can still contribute and feel like I'm doing atleast a little better.

You never know till you try

Hope this helps,

Gianni

 

[Farmwife]

Good for you.
The USA might be different but...................
Call and ask butcher's where they get their product.
If you buy from a health food store make sure it's certified.
As fas as the taste I'm a wee bit bias on this since my meat and milk live next to me,
so keep that in mind when I say YES, grass fed beef is yummy!!!:medal1:
I'll ring in crohnsinct that has to buy it from the store. HA/HA
She has a lot of great info on this subject.

 

[KWalker]

Thanks for the help so far I'm in Canada so we have a bit better food standards than the US but there's definitely still lots of extras thrown in the meat. We've been going to a local farmers market where everything is made fresh and home made, home "grown" but you can just tell the difference when you taste each. They taste so much better. The only organic/morally acceptable meat I've had was chicken though but it was delicious and free range eggs are so much better than others, and they actually seem to be bigger

I'm just not sure if the market's meat vendors are "legit" or not. I think we're going on Saturday because there's a vendor that sells the best pecan pie you'll ever eat and ours is gone! lol

Gianni, I'm sorry but I can't go vegetarian. I don't know what it is. As much as I love animals and support animal rights, I don't think I could ever live without meat lol. It's just soo good!

 

[superhotfemale]

Agree, that buying produce from farmers markets taste so much better than stuff you get at those nasty large food chains (sorry, I hate these places-they are going to take over our food choices, unless we keep independant chains and farmers markets open!)

I don't eat enough meat, but I know people who buy their meat directly from the farm (not at the markets) and it doesn't have the extras added. Maybe you could ask around at the market and find a someone that will let you see their farm and maybe build a relationship with, so you know exactly what you are getting - worth a try!

 

[KWalker]

I've been doing some research and found a store which is actually really close to me that I've never known of before and their website says they sell all natural, all organic foods. They advertise that their meat comes from animals who only eat grass.

 

[Lisa]

We are lucky enough to have a bunch of Amish farms by me - great for fresh produce, and home-baked goods.....

We also raised our own beef - the per pound price came to UNDER $3.00/ pound after all was said and done! That was for our half - we split 'Steaky' with my Mom - and she sold 1/2 of her side for a profit - so she had no out of pocket!

If you are in an area that has farms - you may want to check into buying 'on the hoof' - check with local slaughterhouses for that.....we have one we have been using for over 20 years....but again, are lucky enough to have the space to raise our own too.

 

[KWalker]

Wow, under $3 a pound? That's cheaper than I can get it at the grocery store. That would be great. What's on the hoof? Unfortunately being a student with a very busy schedule right now I don't have a ton of time to put into it to do much more than take it out of the package and cook it lol.

 

[Lisa]

lol..On the hoof means LIVE!...we had Steaky (named so by my daughter!).....

You generally would need room to store an amount of meat - we have a chest freezer and a small upright in our basement - many small slaughterhourses cannot sell meat they butchered because it isn't inspected - BUT - if you share the costs with someone who is raising an animal, you 'own' part of it already and you don't have to worry about those regulations.

 

[Farmwife]

lol..On the hoof means LIVE!...we had Steak (named so by my daughter!).....

QUOTE]

pasobuff

Our steers were hamburger and chili.

 

[KWalker]

Lol oh. Well I live in an apartment so I don't know how my landlord would feel if I brought a cow home haha.

 

[KatyBuckeye]

As a former vegetarian, how the animals are treated means a great deal to me. I'm also concerned about the quality of meat, the use of antibiotics, pastured-raised, grassfed, etc. I've been able to connect with an organic food co-op in my area. The co-op negoitates with a local farmer to provide organic meat and eggs to the members. I can actually go to the farm and inspect it to ensure the animals are being treated humanely, the animals are truely grassfed. and so on. It really makes me feel much better about eating meat again. What I've found is the price is a bit more than going into a grocery store and buying the factory farmed meat. But it's not too much more and the benefit is worth it to me. Check out www.localharvest.org to find local food co-ops and farmers if you are in the US.