In today's issue I dug into the World Food Crisis, ending with a prescription for a few little things we can do to limit our impact on the shortage of grains that's causing hunger and poverty in dozens of countries. One suggestion was to limit your consumption of factory-farmed meat. Meat production has vast environmental impacts, isn't good for the hapless animals and consumes about 40 percent of all the grain grown in the world. (For more on the Crisis, check out past blog posts.)
Can you avoid factory-meat without turning vegetarian? Sure, but it takes some effort. Buying locally-raised meat, preferably grass-fed, reduces the impact of large-scale production until it's almost as eco- and hunger-friendly as giving up your steaks and chops. Plus, it tastes better and connects you with your food source.
Numerous local farmers and small ranchers have gotten into the act of providing the Gulf Coast with neighborhood meat. You usually have to buy in bulk — beef is often sold as whole, half or quarter cow — so you'll need room in the freezer, or an extra cold box in the garage, and you may want to get together with family or friends to split up a big buy.
Here are a few places to try out. I'll add more as I find them, but f you know of others, drop me a line.
Rosas Farms, 13450 N. Hwy. 301, Citra, FL, 32912, 888-353-9912 or rosasfarms.com — 100% grass-fed beef, boar, buffalo and a lot more, raised on an organic farm jsut south of Gainesville.
Amazin' Grazin' Beef, 941-745-5630 — This new operation in Bradenton sells 100% grass-fed beef raised by real-life cowboy Lee Sly. There will also be wild tilapia and acorn finished pork.
Plan It Earth, 15433 County Rd. 39 S., Lithia, 813-784-2727 — Grass-fed, grain finished beef.
This article appears in May 7-13, 2008.