Know What You’re Buying – Meat Comparison
Know what you’re buying. This picture below shows store-bought beef (on the right) and farm-raised beef (on the left). You can easily see the difference, but there’s more to it than just looks!
Color Difference:
Store-bought beef is often lighter in color due to the use of chemicals and preservatives, such as propyl gallate, that help prevent oxidation and spoilage. These additives allow the meat to stay fresher for a longer time, even when exposed to air in grocery stores. In contrast, fresh, locally-sourced beef typically has a darker, more vibrant red color, indicating that it is free from added chemicals and has been freshly cut.
Unclear Source:
The origin of store-bought beef is often murky. Even if the packaging says “Product of the USA,” the beef might come from various countries like Canada, Argentina, or Brazil, depending on the supplier’s sourcing practices. Furthermore, store beef often includes meat from multiple cows, which raises concerns about quality control, traceability, and ethical sourcing. Consumers can’t always be sure where the beef is coming from or how the cows were raised. Additionally, the meat may come from factory farms where animals are raised in confined, overcrowded conditions with questionable practices.
Farm-Raised Beef:
Beef from local farms tends to be fresher, darker, and more flavorful because it’s usually slaughtered and processed closer to where it’s sold. It’s also more likely to be raised in a sustainable and humane way. Locally-sourced beef often comes from smaller farms where cattle are typically grass-fed or raised in a more natural environment, allowing for better nutrition and a higher-quality product. Moreover, farm-raised beef usually comes from a single cow, ensuring that the meat is more consistent in flavor and texture compared to the mix of meat found in supermarket beef.
Additional Benefits of Buying Local:
see continuation on next page
ADVERTISEMENT
