Organic/Free Range Meat, Poultry and Eggs - Thoughts?

[ccbloom]

So, I thought I had been doing the right thing in purchasing all organic, free range meat, poultry and eggs. Yes, it's a strain on the budget, but we are eating less meat in our house because of it (Michael Pollan would be proud of us!).

My main reason to making the switch was the lack of unnecessary hormones and antibiotics. A lesser reason was the treatment of the animals, although it did help me feel a bit better thinking the cows and chickens were out enjoying this big piece of land, living it up; however, I'm now reading that's not exactly the case. These free range animals are treated and slaughtered very similarly to conventional animals and a lot of it is a marketing ploy getting us to spend more money. Boy, do I feel dumb!

Would love to hear anyone's thoughts on this. I've tried to go vegetarian in the past, but it was just too difficult being the "chef" of the house of a husband who expects meat at most meals.

[OakLeaf]

I don't think there's anywhere in the US you can't find local eggs, including big cities where people raise hens in backyards, courtyards and rooftop pens. I'm not really familiar with central Massachusetts, but I'm assuming it's not urban - so pay attention next time you go for a ride or a drive, I can almost guarantee you'll see a sign out front of someone's house advertising eggs for sale. You may see the hens running around in the road before you see the sign!

Depending on your area, you may have to ask around for local meat and dairy products. Visit the farmers' market to see who your local producers are, talk to them, ask around about them, ask to visit their farms/ranches if you don't pass by them on your cycling routes.

[ccbloom]

Thanks, Oakleaf!

Yes, I do know of a "local" farm that does sell fresh organic eggs. It's a bit of a hike and about $7/dozen, though, just for eggs They also sell organic chickens that they raise and slaughter; however, we don't eat the dark meat, just the breasts and they don't portion them out. So, at $15/chicken, it's not really feasible.

I'm not exactly in an urban area, but I've never seen a "fresh eggs for sale sign". I wish! I would definitely like to find an alternative.

I guess I'm just a little upset about the marketing of organic/free range. It seems to fall under the same deception as other products.

[jillm]

Try Localharvest.org for info on farms and farmer's markets. I get my chicken and eggs from a local farmer because i like to know where my food comes from, and that they are treated humanely, AND it tastes better! We buy whole chicken, roast it, use the leftovers in something like casseroles or enchiladas or chicken salad, then make chicken stock with the bones. It's a good way to stretch it!

[SadieKate]

Some of it is that buying local AND buying free range/organic means that there is less fossil fuel used in the production and transportation of not only the food itself, but all the pesticides and herbicides, etc. used to produce the food.

[ccbloom]

Some of it is that buying local AND buying free range/organic means that there is less fossil fuel used in the production and transportation of not only the food itself, but all the pesticides and herbicides, etc. used to produce the food.

Very true!

I think I'm afraid to buy a full chicken. I've bought them from the market before, but I just don't love handling them, and again, we just don't eat the other meat. I suppose we could try it in different dishes, though.

[Eden]

Though I don't purchase much meat in the first place, after having watched Food Inc I will never buy chicken or turkey (or beef or pork for that matter) that isn't free range again...

No animals, not even chickens deserve to live and die in conditions as bad as those...
(and when I do purchase turkey I have found a brand that at very least claims to humanely slaughter the animals) Buying local rather than from a large scale producer, organic/free range though they might be, hopefully also means the animals were not processed in one of those huge nasty slaughterhouses.

[ccbloom]

Eden, I still need to see Food Inc. The whole way chickens are slaughtered in the large slaughterhouses when they hang upside down is just a terrible practice and totally sickens me. I don't know why I thought organic/free range chickens were processed any differently.

[Eden]

You're totally right - just because something is organic or live stock is free range doesn't necessarily mean that it isn't produced on a large scale "factory farm". As buying organic becomes more the norm I'm sure that to keep costs down and supplies up more large scale organic farming will appear and yes I am skeptical of whether or not you can keep up good farm practices while attempting to produce vast quantities. Some of the bigger companies do use cooperatives made of smaller farms to get enough product (I think Stonyfield farms does this with its organic dairy products) I would though be willing to bet small producers are more likely to do their own slaughtering and dressing or have a local butcher do it than to rely on a large processing plant.

I feel quite fortunate to have great access around here to local food - there is a farm market in some section of town pretty much every day of the week, many of them running year round. For the 4 or 5 times a year that I purchase beef or lamb and the once or twice a month I get turkey I'm happy to seek out good local stuff.

[Jolt]

Thanks, Oakleaf!

Yes, I do know of a "local" farm that does sell fresh organic eggs. It's a bit of a hike and about $7/dozen, though, just for eggs They also sell organic chickens that they raise and slaughter; however, we don't eat the dark meat, just the breasts and they don't portion them out. So, at $15/chicken, it's not really feasible.

I'm not exactly in an urban area, but I've never seen a "fresh eggs for sale sign". I wish! I would definitely like to find an alternative.

I guess I'm just a little upset about the marketing of organic/free range. It seems to fall under the same deception as other products.

I live in central MA as well (in Worcester) and know of a couple of places that might interest you. One is Misty Brook Farm in Barre--they have beef, pork, and dairy products and also sell eggs from a neighboring farm (which has chickens and turkeys). It's all organic and free-range and I have seen the place--they treat their animals well. The other is Charlton Orchards--they have fairly recently started selling grass-fed beef; I don't think it's certified organic but it is less expensive than Misty Brook. This farm, as the name suggests, also has lots of pick-your-own fruit etc. I don't know what town you live in so these places may or may not be convenient; for me they are a bit of a hike so I don't go very often. Are there any farmers markets in your area? Sometimes farms will sell their products there and it can be a lot easier to get them that way rather than having to go directly to the farm.

[alpinerabbit]

Q: what is the eco-balance of personally driving out to a farm to get the stuff... watch out for that as well.... (you could always haul it by bike)...

[Crankin]

+1 on Charlton Orchards. I have been buying produce from them at the Bedford farmer's market all summer, even though there are at least 5 farms within 5 miles of my house. They sell a lot of different things.
I know that there is a farmer in Lincoln who allows you to buy "shares" of his beef and chicken for the year. I am not sure if it is organic, but there must be other farmers in MA who do this.

[Trek420]

Q: what is the eco-balance of personally driving out to a farm to get the stuff... watch out for that as well.... (you could always haul it by bike)...

You could. Or map your own Sonoma sustainable bike tour

www.farmtrails.org

But seriously one can argue about about beef till the cows come home whether it's the cow farts, the high costs of transport, feed and water, burning the rain forest to make our happy meals .... I just feel if you have local options for food it's better on oh so many levels.

The farmers and ranchers in Chile or Argentina (or here if you're in Chile or Argentina. This is a global board after all) are wonderful. But I'm here and I can't ride there. Eating local whenever and however possible is one way we can preserve our great places to ride.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005..._grassla_1.php

[ccbloom]

Crankin' and Jolt - THANK YOU for the Charlton Orchards recommendation. I had NO IDEA that they had such a variety. I'm right in Auburn, so it's obviously very convenient for me. I've only been there years ago to do some apple picking. I'm definitely going to look into it (btw - I didn't realize there were so many of us close by to each other!)

I did find Misty Brook Farm on eatwild.com, as well as a few others in Barre. DH wasn't too keen on the idea of driving there, but it's my bday weekend, so it wouldn't be too hard to convince him.

I did just read a Life magazine article today about cow-sharing, and I'm interested in that as well. Just need to do a bit of research.

There are a few farmer's markets in my area. There's one in Worcester MWF, but it's just ok. I haven't been this year. I have gone to the Grafton Farmer's Market and that was pretty good. Silvermine Farm is there, and they do sell chickens, so that's my other option.

I just feel if you have local options for food it's better on oh so many levels.

I couldn't agree more. As the winter starts to roll in here (ugh!!!), the local foods take a nosedive <-- although, I'm more than happy to hear recommendations from the natives.

Actually, I'm very happy that I brought up this topic, because personally, it has opened my eyes to a lot of what my area can offer if I know where to look. So, thank you!

Also, I'm personally ok with cutting back on my meat consumption. I can do without for breakfast/lunch/snacks and a couple dinners each week, but in order to tame the family, I have to serve some meals containing meat.

[Jolt]

There's apparently a farmers market in Auburn on Saturdays from 9:30-2 in the library parking lot (this is from a list of Central MA farmers markets that we have on the fridge from the newspaper earlier this summer). I think I know which one in Worcester you're talking about (the one on Chandler St.?); the selection is definitely "just OK". Charlton Orchards is great and if you're in Auburn it should be fairly convenient (maybe you can ride there!).