Many local farmers sell their products at area farmers’ markets and in New York City. Jack’s Meats and Deli, 79 Main Street in New Paltz, (845) 255-2244, has a wide selection of different grass-fed meats. Adams Fairacre Farms in Poughkeepsie, (845) 336-6300, generally keeps some cuts of grass-fed beef in the freezer case.
There are several local cooperatives that sell to individual customers. Quantities can be larger than you have to buy at the supermarket—often the smallest amount is 20 pounds, and often buyers get together to share a quarter or half a cow. Nearby co-ops include www.valleyfarmers.com, (845) 868-1826, and www.meadowraisedmeats.com, (607) 278-5602.
Web sites that offer geographically organized listings of mail order retail suppliers include www.eatwild.com, www.localharvest.org, and www.nichepork.org. Try www.conservationbeef.org for mail-order pastured beef from Montana.
Adams, Emmanuel’s, and Hannaford markets offer beef marked “naturally raised” or “hormone free.” The cattle are not subjected to the stresses of the feedlot; they are raised in fields and are not fed hormones, antibiotics, or steroids. The key difference is that the cattle are fed grain to increase the marbling and fat content of the meat. While much healthier for consumers than commercially raised beef, this meat may not offer all of the nutritional benefits found in grass-fed beef.
