Trying to source free range and ethical meat!

davehills

Where are you?

There are numerous 'ethical' butchers and farm shops up and down the country which supply such things. If you give an idea where you are then maybe someone will be able to suggest somewhere?

(Thought: maybe someone wants to start an "Ethical food supplier" thread if there isn't already one and if it'd be within the rules.)

davehills

This place delivers round the central South:

http://www.sunnyfields.co.uk/

Also recommended:

http://www.charlesbaynham.co.uk/catalog/

elliecarr

Hi again,

I live in Sheffield - so anywhere around those parts, don't mind travelling (within reason!), particularly if there is a good walk nearby!

MichH

The Well Hung Meat Company - yes, I know it does look like a joke name, but it is real. I used to buy from Sheepdrove, unfortunately they have stopped delivering to my area. I have used Well Hung Meat twice now and been extremely pleased with both the deliveries. The meat is excellent quality, not the cheapest by far, however I would recommend it. Their site ( www.wellhungmeat.com ) contains lots of information about where the meat comes from, welfare, etc.

DKLS

elliecarr wrote: »

Hi again,

I live in Sheffield - so anywhere around those parts, don't mind travelling (within reason!), particularly if there is a good walk nearby!

Try here, have a nice walk around the deer park and try some of their venison.

MoJo

Depending how much meat you can cope with, I'd suggest checking out some of the smallholding forums where people who raise their own often advertise.

Try the forum on this site : http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/

(I am allowed to link there aren't I? Someone wrap my knuckles quick if I can't and I'll delete.)

more_money_for_me

This looks like it might be worth a go depending on what part of Sheffield you are in : http://www.coppicehousefarmshop.co.uk/

Or as already mentioned buy British meat at the supermarket as standards are generally higher. Morrisons now have all British meat which is something the other big ones don't.

http://www.morrisons.co.uk/corporate/press-office/corporate-releases/Now-all-fresh-meat-at-Morrisons-is-100-British/

karmachilovething

Two words: Farmer's Markets!

Farmer's markets will only give stall space direct to producers, so you can go an quiz the person who rears the animals. Most farmers/producers who are interested in the welfare of their animals are more than happy to talk about the way they are reared - if they're reluctant to talk to you about how they produce their meat, then warning bells should sound!

It's not always the case, but I find farmer's markets are about the same price as the middle-top ranges of supermarkets (depending on the super market). For example I bought 500g of mince beef for £3.50. Not cheap but not as expensive a organic butchers in my experience.

Just google or try local free papers to find your local one - that's how I found my local one when I moved to Oxford.

Another one, which surprised me when I heard it, is Morrisons. The couple who have a farm opposite my parents raise beef and they send their steers to Morrisons because Morrisons own their own abattoirs and treat the animals better than any other supermarket (so they tell me!). Their cows roam free, have lots of space and always look well cared for. I don't know how true this is for all Morrision's producers but if there was one anywhere close to me I would seriously consider it.

skelly01

I would definately try a farmers market, or does your town have a good local butcher? there are even now some farms which are selling direct and cutting out the middle man
We are blessed with a couple of butchjers who will advise you on cuts etc etc. He also has a sign which lists which farms in the area his meat has come from that week.
Most lamb in in the UK is free range in the sense that it has been allowed to roam the fields and hills. There are very few if any intensively reared lamb in this country.
I suppose I maybe lucky where I stay as we are out in the country and can see the beef cows, sheep, pigs etc in the fields so I know where it is coming from.