I’m going slightly off-topic today because I feel like this topic is important enough to warrant a post. I’ll also preface this by saying that I really enjoy working with clients with a business that I can get behind and really believe in. My local butcher, Blue Ridge Meats, became a client at the beginning of the summer. We had been looking for a “real” butcher for a while and finally stumbled upon Blue Ridge Meats by searching Google.
My butcher has completely changed the way view, buy and eat meat. With facts and without horror stories, I now understand why it’s so important to know where your meat is coming from. Here are a few things to consider:
- Grocery store burger is commonly produced from different cows from different slaughterhouses from different parts of the county (and sometimes different parts of the world).
- Mass produced beef comes from cattle that has been vaccinated and shot with hormones many, many times before it gets to the meat processing plant.
- Large meat processing plants often slaughter and process 10,000+ cows a day around the clock.
Had enough? Small slaughterhouses like Blue Ridge Meats processes about 10 animals per day from farmers located no further than 100 miles away. All animals are treated under the guidelines of Certified Humane. All meat is inspected by a USDA inspector who is onsite. Blue Ridge Meats typically has a personal relationship with the farmers that they work with.
I’m here to tell you that the meat is fresh and tastes amazing – completely different from the grocery store. You can get cuts that you can’t get at the grocery store. I, personally, have a lot more respect for the animal that have given me each wonderful meal.
I’ve learned a lot about agriculture, meat processing and butchering and how important farmers are to our health and our economy. And for that, I have to thank my client, Blue Ridge Meats.
The moral?
- Buy fresh and local as much as you can because its important for your health, the health of your family and for the local farmers that you support.
- Take the time to learn everything you can about your client’s business. It just may change your life!
And for your reading pleasure, here are a few other resources on eating fresh:
And this is WHY you should know where your food comes from – E. Coli Path Shows Flaws in Beef Inspection.
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