Monday, April 2, 2012

B is for Butcher

Okay, we run a meat CSA - that's community supported agriculture. (If you're new to this and would like to learn more our farm and CSA visit us at Cedar Valley Sustainable Farm. If you'd like to find a CSA in your area got to Local Harvest. If you're in Chicago, visit The Local Beet.)

Raise our animals in ways that nurture their true natures. We're mindful that their well being is dependent upon us, just as our sustenance is dependent on them. It is a relationship grounded with respect and reverence.

But, to become the nourishing goodness that goes into our monthly shares, their lives must end. We take great care with our animals and work to ensure that the same care is taken when they become meat.

Luckily, we have a fantastic  butcher who does his job as thoughtfully as we do ours. His name is Scott Bittner.



Scott runs the only buthcher shop in the state of Illinois that can do certified organic butchering for red meat animals (beef, pork, lamb, goat). Although we are NOT a certfied organic farm, this is important to us and our customers as it means that only organic methods and ingredients are used in the processing of our meats (no MSG, added nitrates etc).

Bittners (Scott and his wonderful staff) are an important part of our farm's community, and we appreciate all they do!
 

4 comments:

  1. Is this the same beef we have bought from you before? If so it was really good.

    In the light of the recent "Pink Slime" issue I think places like you have are going to become more important.

    I am not very conscious about where my food comes from outside of which supermarket I bought it at. But I think it is very important that I start to change that.

    As fresh and SAFE food becomes rarer it seems, places like your farm are going to become more important.

    Damn. Now I want a burger.

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  2. Hi - visiting from the A-Z linky. As a vegetarian this is a tricky topic for me but it's good to hear about that you strive for the most humane methods creating meat. Good luck with the challenge.

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  3. Tim,
    Yes, the same beef - perhaps even better as we keep improving genetics.

    There seems to be a real "awakening" in the public consciousness regarding food. The strongest evidence of that is push by "Big Ag" (U.S. Farmer Rancher Alliance) to get their PR/propaganda machine cranked up to discredit the "good food" people.

    And, yes, our burgers are very tasty!

    Thanks for checking in!

    Jody

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  4. Kirsty,

    Thanks for checking in!

    Even though we're raise and market meat, we strongly believe that people should eat less of it. Yesterday was another meatless Monday on the farm.

    It's funny, some of our best customers have been vegetarians whose families/loved ones continue to eat meat.

    They've told us that if their family is going to eat meat, it should be the best, most ethically raised they can get.

    Our customers set a high bar for us, and we like that.

    Best,

    Jody

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