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Are You Buying Phony Grassfed Beef

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

August 19, 2017

Are YOU buying "phony" grassfed beef? – Part of our mission at Nature's Gourmet Farm is to help inform and educate customers regarding food issues and trends that affect your physical & mental health so you can make a more informed decision.

The market for grassfed beef has grown about 1600% but, still represents a very small percent of the total beef consumed in America. More than 75% of the beef labeled as "grassfed" purchased in the US is actually imported! USDA labeling regulations have only confused the situation (deceiving consumers) because 1) imported beef moved through a USDA plant can be labeled as "Product of the USA"  2) USDA labeling allows for feeding of grain by-products like soy hulls and distillers grain (thus NOT a grass or forage diet as the label suggest).

So, how can a consumer know they are getting what they are paying for? The best way is to get to know your farmer! Visit the farm and ask questions. At Nature's Gourmet Farm we welcome your visit and questions. We also use our website and blog to explain our processes and protocols. We are very transparent in what we do. Raising a premium product is not as simple as turning a few yearlings or heifers out to pasture and when, or if, they get fat we harvest them and call them grassfed. 

I developed 4-criteria early on to evaluate if someone knew what they were doing in this business. They are: 

1) Do they own the land

2) Do they own the cattle

3) Do they invest their own money in the operation

4) Are they doing it successfully

To be considered, they have to pass ALL four criteria. This weeds out more than 95% of the speakers and writers who spend other peoples money to promote their theory.

Next week I will share more about our journey.

Customer Feedback- 

Ben and Beth are a delight to work with. Their farm is well-managed and maintained. Ben is working to improve the soil quality which in turn grows good food for his animals to eat. He is careful to use methods that have been proven in ages past as well as incorporate modern conveniences like electric fences. The quality of their product shows the love and attention they give their animals. Best beef, pork, and chicken I have tasted! You won't be disappointed - either in the farmer or his product. Barbara B

Quote Worth Re-Quoting – "A satisfied customer is the best business strategy of all.”   ~ Michael LeBoeuf

As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.

Ben & Beth

More from the blog

Farm & Market Updates

Market Update – Our farm objective is to raise nutrient dense meats without all the chemicals, vaccines, hormones, and etc. And be able to provide them to a community of families at a reasonable price. We measure success based on pounds sold verses dollars earned. Current beef prices are making that harder to accomplish as families seek options to reduce their food bills. I know we have not passed along the full impact of higher prices to our customers which means we are not making as much as before nor are we selling as much beef.

Beef Pricing Update & Sausage

Beef Pricing Update – Beef prices continue to increase and hit a new All-Time high AGAIN last week. This week, the Chief Production Officer (CPO) for JBS Meats (one of the four largest beef packers) stated that prices will remain high for at least the next two years. His rationale was the low cow herd numbers, little to no indication farmers/ranchers are retaining females to grow their herds (at these high prices they are taking the money now while it is there); when females are being retained it will take over 2.5 years before a calf will be ready for harvest (9-month gestation + about 24 months old at harvest). Lastly, consumer demand remains strong.

Taste Test

Greetings Ben and Beth, I'm really looking forward to my next order pick up. I'm trying to improve my cholesterol numbers, thus eating more chicken, and ran out of your chicken products. I ended up buying some industrially produced chicken, and man was that a mistake! It smelled terrible raw, also while it was being sauteed, and also later when I reheated it to put into an otherwise healthy salad. I have enough of this subpar stuff to last until I pick my order, but I don't think I can ever buy this CAFO stuff again.