Frequently Asked Questions
In addition to eliminating exposure to antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals, are there other benefits of organically raised, grass-fed beef?
Organic, free-range meats offer many nutritional and health benefits, and, in addition, benefit the overall welfare of the animals. The adage "You are what you eat" is as true for cattle as it is for humans. Cattle fed a grain-based high carbohydrate diet gain weight rapidly producing beef that is high in saturated fat and cholesterol. Grass-fed beef is four to six times lower in fat than grain-fed beef and contains only half the saturated fat, making it as lean as poultry or wild game. Grass-fed beef also has five times more of the beneficial conjugated omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin E than commercial corn-fed beef. In addition, feeding corn and other grains to cattle lowers the pH of the rumen (one of the 4 stomachs in cattle), promoting the growth of acid-resistant E. coli. If consumed by humans, these bacteria are more likely to survive in the human digestive tract leading to potentially serious disease. Hence, the commercial beef industry has experienced an increase in the number of beef recalls for E. coli contamination recently.
Is it true that grass-fed beef is not as tender as commercial beef?
The tenderness of beef is directly related to the age of cattle, their rate of weight gain, and how much stress the animals have prior to slaughter. Our animals are grown free-range on our lush pastures in a stress -free environment. In addition, researchers at Penn State University have shown that dry-aging grass-fed beef for up to 2 weeks increases tenderness and enhances the flavor of the meat. This is why all our grass-fed beef is dry-aged in this manner.
I only have limited freezer space. How much beef can I purchase at one time?
This depends somewhat on how you like the beef trimmed, but in general, allow 1-1.5 cubic feet per 25 lbs. of beef.
Can I order only select cuts of beef?
As relatively small producers of high quality, dry-aged grass-fed beef priced competitively with commercial beef, we generally sell beef in amounts of 25 lbs or more that contain proportionally all the cuts available. For example, when purchasing a 1/4 steer, you are actually purchasing a side of beef split in half so that all cuts are available. However, for larger orders we will sell select cuts when arranged in advance.
Is your organic chicken also locally raised?
Our certified organic, free-range chicken is raised in Lancaster Co. at PA’s largest organic poultry farm. The chicken is processed in the morning of the day of delivery and sent to us refrigerated, not frozen. We can take poultry orders on a weekly basis. Minimum orders generally apply. Whole chickens or individual chicken pieces can be ordered. Contact us for a price list and quantities.