I think it is becoming more and more important to start bridging the gap between farmers and consumers. I buy most of my meat products from the Honest Weight Food Coop in Albany NY. I have had the chance to become friends with Cheng Hua-Lee, the official meat purchaser at the co-op. My friendship with Cheng has helped me find my beliefs on what type of farms produce the healthiest meats. Cheng maintains a personal relationship with each farmer that she purchases products from. Recently when I was getting a beautiful pork tenderloin from the co-op, Cheng shared some refreshing information about the pork’s producer. This tenderloin came from a small farm in Schoharie NY. The farm is called Stony Brook Farm. Bob, the principle farmer is a kind and hardworking man. His attitude on animal welfare allows him to produce the exact type of meats that I want to eat.
Stony Brook Farm raises heritage breed feeder pigs. A feeder pig is a young pig (usually 6-12 weeks old) that is purchased to raise (or feed) to slaughter weight. Heritage breed pigs are older breeds that were abandoned by commercial farmers as more modern breeds were developed. Here are two reason Bob prefers heritage pigs: Continue reading »
