real food abc's - eatwild

October 6, 2013

real food abcs - eatwild website

E for Eatwild

On our journey towards eating more real foods, the next entry focuses on meats that are grass-fed, pasture raised, from local farms and sustainable.


Eatwild.com is a great website to find local, grass-fed, antibiotic-free, sustainable meats.

Why would you want to to include this on your real food journey?

Grass-fed beef is higher in omega-3 fatty acids. Yup, those beneficial fats that you always hear about in fish are also in beef. But not just any beef. Grain-fed beef does not have as high of an amount. Grass-fed also has a higher amount of Vitamin E.

And what do they not have? Hormones, antibiotics, and other drugs, GMO corn and soy. When we eat animal products that are treated with those substances or eat those foods, we are also exposed. It is so so cliche but I have to write it, I'll write it small: we are what we eat.

I will be doing another post this week on larger factory farms, but I wanted to keep this post mostly focused on the positive. So back to eatwild.

They have an interactive map where you can find your state.


When you click on your state, it will list the farms in that state that sell grass-fed beef, pastured chickens and lamb, pastured eggs, etc. And it doesn't just list the name of the farm and the address. It gives you a little information about the farm. For example, this is the information about a farm in NJ:

Beechtree Farm, Hopewell, NJ. Inspired after hearing Jo Robinson speak on why grassfed is best in 2003, we began to expand our cattle operation of 20 years and selling our grassfed beef directly to consumers from our 58 acre, preserved farm. We have two other farms nearby and partner with local farmers whose pasture we graze in-season. We also sell chicken, pork and eggs seasonally.
Our meat is sold frozen, by the cut, in our store here at Beechtree Farm. Please call ahead to let us know when you'd like to visit. While we live and work from the farm, we want to make sure to be here when you arrive. From Spring to Fall we also participate in several farmers markets (see our website for locations and times). We take names for those who are interested in ordering 1/8, 1/4 or 1/2 share of beef.
Our cattle live an unconfined, humane life on pasture and hay in the winter with access to shelter, minerals and salt. We practice rotational pasture grazing to maintain the growth of lush pastures. Working with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, NRCS, we follow Comprehensive Nutrient Management to protect local water and enrich our soils. The meat is processed at small USDA certified facilities. We have observed the entire process and are confident that our animals receive humane treatment up to the very end.
You not only get the listing, but also a feel for the farmers themselves. It makes buying food much more personal when you are buying it direct from the farmer raising/growing it.

Asking Questions
When you do decide to buy direct from a farmer, don't be afraid to ask questions. Take advantage of this fact, since you are unable to do it at the grocery store.
Here is a short list to start you off:

  • Are your cows grass-fed?
  • Are your cows grass-finished?
  • Do you treat your animals with antibiotics?
  • Do you give your animals hormones?
  • Do your animals eat GMO feed?
  • Do your animals eat organic?
  • Besides grass, what do your animals eat? 
  • Are your chickens pastured?
  • When you have to give an animal antibiotics, what happens to it, i.e. does it still produce milk for consumption, or is it slaughtered for food?
  • How much (blank) can I buy at once?
  • Do you have a discount on bulk buying?
  • Do you offer a discount for volunteering to help on the farm?

 -Note-
Not all these questions might be an issue. I would much rather have a non-organic but also non-GMO fed cow. Just because something is not organic does not mean it is bad. 

In a follow up post I will be giving more information on CAFOs.

Up Next: F for Freezer

real food tip 4: grass-fed beef - suzyhomemaker.net


Click here to see other posts in the series.