April, 2008 - Volume 9, Issue 6



Now at NP: Local, Natural, Grass-fed Meats



“For years, our customers have been asking us to carry local, natural meats to accompany the other local and natural items we sell,” says Janice Thompson, owner of NP. Now, through an arrangement with local ranches, NP has local, great-tasting grass-fed beef and lamb, and natural pork in our freezer.

THE MEATS
From Coffee Pot Ranch in Sheridan (in Placer County near Lincoln), we have ground beef, ham slices, Pork baby back ribs, pork chops, pork spareribs, smoked bratwurst, and pork shoulder roast. (In July, we will have a much broader selection of beef.) Coffee Pot’s meats are raised on their ranch, and are free from sterioids, antibiotics, and added hormones. We also carry Highland Farms’ lamb shanks and frenched rack of lamb, which comes from grass-fed lamb (free from antibiotics and added hormones) raised on Flying Mule Farm in Auburn. More information on both farms is available on our web site and in our store.

WHY GRASS FED?
Feeding cows and sheep grass is better for them, better for you, and better for the environment. First of all, sheep and cows have stomachs that are designed to eat grass. Grain is not their natural food and can cause health problems. Plus, animals living on pasture lead happier, healthier, and less stressful lives than those in a confined animal feeding operation or CAFO, which is where nearly all the meat, eggs, and dairy products in the supermarket come from. In CAFOs, hundreds or thousands of animals live in very close quarters with no access to pasture, and they are fed grain only. CAFOs are unhealthy and uncomfortable for the animals, cause them stress, and they often get sick (which is why all these animals are routinely given antibiotics). Plus, CAFOs cause air, land, and water pollution from so many animals living in such concentrated quarters. When animals live in a pasture, their manure is spread over a much wider area and is a welcome source of organic fertilizer instead of an environmental problem.

Also, compared to meat from CAFOs, meat from grass-fed beef and lamb has more vitamin E, more omega-3 fatty acids, and more linoleic acid, not to mention less total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. Plus, these meats taste better, too!

When you eat meat from ranch-raised and pastured animals, you are also supporting local farmers and open space, all while eating the tastiest and healthiest food for your family. So why not give them a try?