Mystery Meat

Out of Seattle comes this excellent story about a butcher claiming to sell local organic grassfed meat...but when asked they are unwilling to reveal their sources. Just goes to show that you need to do the research. Apparently marketing genius have realized that food with a story sells...whether the story is true or not.

I think there is lots of room for a trustworthy certification service. I've personally had good experiences with Animal Welfare Approved, which is a group actually devoted to making animal production better instead of eliminating it like other sneaky groups.

Some restaurants have moved away from listing every farm they source from, citing it as trivial and cluttering. But when you are buying your own meat, it's not trivial. Ask "is it possible to visit this farm?" If the answer is no, be suspicious.

Brings me to two new NYC CSAs that are looking for members:

High Point Farms Meat CSA
Grass fed beef, pasture raised pork, free range chicken, free range eggs and local cheese from farms in the Finger Lakes of upstate New York are now available in the City.

High Point Farms, LLC starts a NEW meat, egg or cheese CSA in June to be picked up at Jimmy's 43 in the East Village and at Sweet Pea CSA in Brooklyn Heights.  Animals are humanely raised, without the use of growth hormones or antibiotics, on intensively managed pastures.  All meat is processed USDA and no added nitrates or MSG is used.  Many of the Cheeses are from RAW milk.

For more information about the farm or how to join go to:

Jimmy's 43 CSA  (East Village)
Sweet Pea CSA (Brooklyn Heights)

Grace CSA
Farm Fresh Vegetables at a great price
Convenient Pickup:
Saturdays at Grace Church
139th and Edgecombe Ave.
Flexible Payment Options Available

Receive a Variety of Great Fresh Foods each Week like salad greens, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, green beans, zucchini, kale, potatoes, squash, collard greens, basil, cilantro

There will also be the opportunity to order meat from Veritas Farm, which is a great opportunity since it's not sold anywhere else in the NYC metro area. I have personally been to this farm and it's top-notch! All their animals are happily out on pasture all the time- they are shaggy highland cattle, so they can handle it! I blogged about my visit here.

To find out more, contact: gracechurchcsa@yahoo.com
Visit on the web: http://www.gracecsa.com