Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Avoiding Smithfield Meats: Where Do You Shop?

We've had a good amount of questions about the Paula Deen / Smithfield story posted a few days ago. I want to say that I had no beef (haha) with Paula Deen before I looked into this story. My post was activist and I am glad it informed folks, but it was also about being disappointed in someone who keeps missing a huge opportunity to do the right thing and take a stand herself. Someone who we have enjoyed. And yes, as some pointed out, Smithfield is the company that could be making much better choices here. But when you promote the company for money, you have become the company.

That said, I'm not quite ready to go vegetarian again but would like to buy meat from folks who make better choices.

So what do you say? Do you know where to by local meat from sustainable farms? Is it possible to do?

Someone also linked to this article in Rolling Stone that blew me away. Pig pollution to the nth degree.

I guess I'm moving past not wanting to know about my food to wanting to know more.

-J

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Here's a local source for sustainable local meats - www.kolfoods.com/goodforkfoods

Anthony said...

Any of the local farmers markets are great. Eco-Friendly farms at Arlington or Polyface (which is at Dupont I believe) are fantastic.

Anonymous said...

i don't know if you're familiar with the restaurant Agraria in DC (i just found your blog today) but they buy almost all of their food from small time farmers--they're owned by the North Dakota Farmers Union. Often their food is organic, sustainable, or... that word that means it's actually GOOD for the environment, not just neutral to it. Delicious steaks!! Doesn't really solve your fridge-stocking problem, but it'd be place to get a steak you know comes from a good source.

Lyra said...

You could also go to the Dupont Circle Farmers Market and ask some of the meat vendors there how they raise their meats. Most of them are small/medium size operations, some are grass fed, free range places. When I buy meat, I buy it there. Everything from lamb to pork (and lard), even rabbit, bison, and of course chicken.

Anonymous said...

Not to be confused with Smithfield foods, my wife and I patronize Smith Meadow in Berryville VA. We have had their chickens, eggs, turkeys, beef and our personal favorite, the bacon. They do no use pesticides, chemical fertilizers or hormones/antibiotics.

We have stayed at the farms bed and breakfast and can attest to the great conditions there. The farm smells like grass and apples (from the orchard that now lies fallow). They are regularly at Dupont, Columbia Pike, Courthouse and Takoma Park farmers markets. Def check them out.

Max mickle said...

i think if you want to avoid smithfield meats so you can chose local farmers markets which is suitable for every meat lover.

Neuse River North Carolina said...

rolling stone one of the best,


thanks for the sharing...