Help me find organic meat, please!

[GirlBoyGirl]

I am having a hard time finding organic meat. If not organic, then at least free-range, grass-fed, whatever! Anything healthier than just the regular meat you buy in the grocery store. I know there are some organic chicken choices in a mainstream grocery store but I am pretty sure I read that they aren't actually organic. If I am wrong, which brands of organic chicken should I look for? Any other organic meats in traditional grocery stores? We do not have a Whole Foods here. I have tried to google around for co-ops but have not had much luck. If it helps, I live in Dover, DE. Thanks in advance for your help!

[cocobean]

Here is a link for a website that helps you find local pasture fed food.  http://www.eatwild.com/   IMHO I don't think organic meat is really worth the extra money.  It's not pasture fed, which is what's most important.  They come from big farms that are not the most ethical nor do they have to treat their animals well.  I think of it as plants.  I wouldn't eat a vegetable that was unhealthy and I won't eat animals that are unhealthy.  But that's just my take on it.

[GirlBoyGirl]

Originally Posted by cocobean 

Here is a link for a website that helps you find local pasture fed food.  http://www.eatwild.com/   IMHO I don't think organic meat is really worth the extra money.  It's not pasture fed, which is what's most important.  They come from big farms that are not the most ethical nor do they have to treat their animals well.  I think of it as plants.  I wouldn't eat a vegetable that was unhealthy and I won't eat animals that are unhealthy.  But that's just my take on it.

I agree. But I don't know much about meat so I want to learn more. I do know that "organic" is often used loosely and can mean very little in some situations. What I am mostly looking for is meat from pasture-raised/free range, cruelty-free, hormone and chemical free.

[cocobean]

You're best bet is probably going to be finding a local farm you can go to and see how they treat their animals. Make sure they use safe practices.  That's what we do.  It's more environmentally friendly and I know without a doubt I'm getting the best product I can.  Real Food by Nina Plank has good descriptions about what the labels on meat mean.   They really helped me out.

[serenbat]

you have almost nothing in your area - get a large cooler or several take a road trip to PA and stock up and freeze

ask in PA tribe section there are lots of places not far from Philly (even the market in Philly!)- we have so many farmer's markets right out side of Philly where stuff is brought too and if you do this it makes a good excuse to stop at a Trader Joe's and a WF to get other items (again both not far from Philly)

[Razmatazz]

could you just mail order it online?

[saratc]

I would suggest looking up the closest local Weston A Price Foundation chapter near you and contacting the chapter leader. I am a chapter leader in my area and we are required to maintain a source list of local farms. Many of the farms on my source list only advertise via word of mouth and have no internet presence and are not great with computers so you may be surprised what may be near you.

If you cannot get it locally, I would recommend US Wellness Meats. I cannot vouch for the chicken or pork, but I have purchased beef from them and seems good quality. Their prices are fairly reasonable and they only charge $7.50 for handling (no shipping charges) with a $75 purchase. I have used exclusively pastured, grass finished meats for over 5 years now and think most meats are tasteless, so I can really tell the difference.