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| Top Services for Ethically Sourced Meat Delivered to Your Door |
Eating meat and poultry that is humanely and sustainably raised is important to many consumers. Fortunately, family-owned farms around the country now offer home delivery of their products.
We’ve compiled a list of some of the best meat delivery services in the United States based on criteria like animal welfare practices, sustainability, price, and product quality and selection.
Why Choose Humanely Raised Meat?
Here are some of the main reasons why ethically sourced meat is worth seeking out:
Better animal welfare: Animals raised in crowded, confined spaces on factory farms lead stressful lives. Opting for meat from farms that give animals space to move around naturally promotes better animal welfare.
Health benefits: Pasture-raised and grass-fed meats are higher in some nutrients like vitamin E, beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids compared to conventional meats.
Environmental sustainability: Well-managed pastures used for grazing can benefit the environment by sequestering carbon in soil and providing wildlife habitat.
Supports family farms: Purchasing meat directly from family farms helps support local economies and preserves agricultural heritage.
Overview of the Best Nationwide Delivery Services
For those looking for the convenience of nationwide shipping, here is a list of some exceptional meat delivery companies that ship to most or all states:
White Oaks Pastures
Based in Bluffton, Georgia, White Oaks Pastures sustainably raises multiple livestock species like beef cattle, pigs and chickens. They practice regenerative techniques like rotational grazing.
Seven Sons Farms
The Hitzfield family operates this regenerative farm in Indiana. Seven Sons offers 100% grass-fed beef and bison along with pasture-raised pork, chicken and lamb.
Alderspring Ranch
Alderspring Ranch in Idaho provides certified organic, grass-fed beef and pastured pork, poultry and lamb. Their cattle graze on lush, high-elevation pastures.
Primal Pastures
This farm located near San Diego, CA sources meats and poultry from their own farm and network of trusted partners. Primal Pastures sells grass-fed beef, pasture-raised chicken and more.
Parker Pastures
Family-owned Parker Pastures in Colorado sustainably raises cattle on certified organic mountain pastures to produce flavorful grass-fed beef.
Porter Road
Porter Road partners with small farms in the Southeastern U.S. to deliver high-quality pasture-raised meats nationwide, specializing in high-end cuts.
Best Regional Meat Delivery Sources
In addition to national delivery services, many remarkable family farms ship within their local region or certain parts of the U.S. Here are some of the best to consider based on location:
Best in Midwest: Reimer Family Farm
Based in Wisconsin, Reimer Family Farm sustainably raises grass-fed beef and lamb, heritage breed pork and free-range chicken. They deliver to several Midwestern states.
Best in West: Family Friendly Farms
This ranch in California ethically raises grass-fed beef and lamb, pastured pork and free-range chicken. Family Friendly Farms ships to several Western states like CA, OR and NM.
Best in Northeast: Wrong Direction Farm
Located in New York, Wrong Direction Farm grass-feeds their cattle and sheep and pasture-raises their poultry. They deliver to multiple Northeastern states.
Best in East: Cairncrest Farm
Cairncrest Farm in New York uses regenerative techniques to produce their grass-fed meats and pastured pork and chickens. They ship to Eastern and Mid-Atlantic states.
What to Look for in a Meat Delivery Service
When comparing services, here are some key factors to consider:
Farming practices: Opt for companies with strong animal welfare and environmental standards. Look for descriptors like "grass-fed," "pasture-raised" and "regenerative."
Third-party verification: Trustworthy certifications like USDA Organic and Animal Welfare Approved indicate farms have undergone audits of their practices.
Product variety: Consider services offering an array of meats like beef, poultry, pork and lamb to accommodate different needs.
Product selection: Seek companies with specialty cuts and prepared items available beyond just the basics.
Prices: Expect ethically raised meat prices to exceed conventional store prices, with better farms at the higher end. Compare pricing across a few options.
Delivery area: Ensure the service ships to your state and region. Check for any order minimums to receive free shipping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why choose grass-fed beef?
Cattle fed grass and forages retain higher omega-3s and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) than grain-fed beef. Grass-feeding enables natural grazing behavior better aligned with bovine health.
What is heritage pork?
Heritage breed pigs retain traits valued before industrial farming like ability to thrive outdoors, slower growth and exceptional meat quality. Trying heritage pork preserves genetic diversity.
Where can I buy pasture-raised chicken?
Many small farms now sell pastured poultry online. Pasture-raising enables natural behaviors like scratching and foraging outdoors on rotating pastures.
How do I find local farms?
Websites like EatWild and LocalHarvest help locate nearby farms. Double check that farms adhere to ethical, sustainable practices if making local purchases.
What are the pros of meal delivery?
Home delivery from online farms provides convenience while supporting conscientious agriculture. Delivery reduces trips to various specialty shops for ethical meats.
Support Sustainable Meat Producers
Seeking out responsibly raised meats sustains regenerative farms while promoting ethical standards for livestock production. Convenient delivery services ship premium meat from family farms right to your door.
Choosing pasture-raised, grass-fed and certified organic proteins nurtures healthy animals and land while aligning food dollars with sustainable farmers. Consider utilizing meat delivery to source high-quality, humanely raised meat.
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