Go local and direct: shorter food chains = better for you, your wallet, farmers and the planet.
Here are some links to places, people, farms and services that produce nutrient-dense animal foods in a sustainable way.
Often, buying directly from the farm is more affordable than buying from supermarkets. Not only that, but becoming friends with the butcher or people who produce your food is one of the best, most precious relationships! Offal and bones for broth often can be asked for, and are a great price and value for nutrition.
Getting connected with local farms and farmers can mean getting top-quality, pastured products for a budget price. Like with any diet, you can make it super expensive or very affordable. Farm to folk sourcing can cut the costs by cutting the corporate middle man, all while becoming a more responsible, informed and mindful consumer.
Farmers markets, independent organic butchers, and direct farm shops put you in contact with the people growing and raising your food. It's a precious relationship that puts the value back into the social, ethical and environmental qualities of the food we buy and eat. With every purchase, and with every bite, we get to support the enrichment of a fairer, regenerative food chain and food production system.
The more we opt out of the big food chain and seek out farmers who care for the Earth and the animals to buy our food from, the more we opt in for a positive change in our food & health landscape.
Often, buying directly from the farm is more affordable than buying from supermarkets. Not only that, but becoming friends with the butcher or people who produce your food is one of the best, most precious relationships! Offal and bones for broth often can be asked for, and are a great price and value for nutrition.
Getting connected with local farms and farmers can mean getting top-quality, pastured products for a budget price. Like with any diet, you can make it super expensive or very affordable. Farm to folk sourcing can cut the costs by cutting the corporate middle man, all while becoming a more responsible, informed and mindful consumer.
Farmers markets, independent organic butchers, and direct farm shops put you in contact with the people growing and raising your food. It's a precious relationship that puts the value back into the social, ethical and environmental qualities of the food we buy and eat. With every purchase, and with every bite, we get to support the enrichment of a fairer, regenerative food chain and food production system.
The more we opt out of the big food chain and seek out farmers who care for the Earth and the animals to buy our food from, the more we opt in for a positive change in our food & health landscape.
Tips "inside of the system" when in a supermarket setting
Do the best with what you have where you are.
-Theodore Roosevelt
Sourcing farm to folk may be the ideal, but sometimes it's just not realistic, affordable or possible with current restraints. Thankfully, there are a lot more ways popping up (like online farm shops) that are making better meat bought directly from the farm or cooperative a lot easier and more affordable, but in the meantime...
The big Carrefour supermarkets in France mark down meat by 20-50% depending on the date. You can load up on high quality organic and/or locally sourced meat, which may not be directly from a farmer but is at least avoiding food waste while providing you with affordable high quality meat. What I do on a tight budget is often do this for the muscle meat base of my intake (especially lamb, including whole legs and shoulder joints for slow cooking), and then supplement with organ meat like liver and heart, and farm fresh eggs from farmers on the weekly market.
LABELS
There are various labels in France and Switzerland for meat and quality. "Organic" is a generic label that itself has various sub-labels responding to different criteria and standards. Some countries have lower or different organic standards than others, and some labels like "Demeter" that represent biodynamic agriculture go above and beyond the normal commercial organic. And sometimes other labels can be equally as good in terms of quality without being certified organic. A healthy animal raised in it's healthy, natural environment eating it's natural diet is the
BIO label en Suisse: https://www.bio-suisse.ch/fr/labels.php
Label Rouge (France): https://www.label-rouge-viandes.fr/
Demeter International (the largest certification organisation for biodynamic agriculture): http://www.labelinfo.ch/fr/labels?&t=1&id=34
The big Carrefour supermarkets in France mark down meat by 20-50% depending on the date. You can load up on high quality organic and/or locally sourced meat, which may not be directly from a farmer but is at least avoiding food waste while providing you with affordable high quality meat. What I do on a tight budget is often do this for the muscle meat base of my intake (especially lamb, including whole legs and shoulder joints for slow cooking), and then supplement with organ meat like liver and heart, and farm fresh eggs from farmers on the weekly market.
LABELS
There are various labels in France and Switzerland for meat and quality. "Organic" is a generic label that itself has various sub-labels responding to different criteria and standards. Some countries have lower or different organic standards than others, and some labels like "Demeter" that represent biodynamic agriculture go above and beyond the normal commercial organic. And sometimes other labels can be equally as good in terms of quality without being certified organic. A healthy animal raised in it's healthy, natural environment eating it's natural diet is the
BIO label en Suisse: https://www.bio-suisse.ch/fr/labels.php
Label Rouge (France): https://www.label-rouge-viandes.fr/
Demeter International (the largest certification organisation for biodynamic agriculture): http://www.labelinfo.ch/fr/labels?&t=1&id=34
Europe
Buy directly from organic and biodynamic producers in Europe:
https://www.crowdfarming.com/en
No fresh meat products yet, but for those looking for artisan products like sheep cheese, goat cheese, and include other foods like unrefined olive oils, lemons, grapefruits and other wholefoods grown to TRUE organic standards (not commercial organic), then I highly recommend checking this network out! I'm highly passionate about encouraging us to support growers directly when we can, and Crowd Farming is also economical and incredible high quality. Win win win!
https://www.crowdfarming.com/en
No fresh meat products yet, but for those looking for artisan products like sheep cheese, goat cheese, and include other foods like unrefined olive oils, lemons, grapefruits and other wholefoods grown to TRUE organic standards (not commercial organic), then I highly recommend checking this network out! I'm highly passionate about encouraging us to support growers directly when we can, and Crowd Farming is also economical and incredible high quality. Win win win!
The Netherlands
When I started researching sourcing ethical, local meat in the Netherlands, I was honestly surprised by just how many resources are available.
Meat Your Own
Meat Your Own was one of the first websites I came across, and is a fantastic resource that gathers all the pasture and organic farms in Holland where you can buy directly. This is where I found many of the others that I now use to source my own meat.
www.meatyourown.nl
Wild Rund Vlees
Wild Rund Vlees, literally translated as wild beef, are semi-wild cattle raised in conservation areas.
They deliver to pick-up points around the Netherlands, and I pick it up at a local farm shop once a month.
https://www.wildrundvlees.nl/
Wageningen Organic Butcher
Wageningen organic butcher.
My favourite place of all time! The owners and staff are simply wonderful humans, and I have a great laugh everytime I go in, while being able to source the best organic meat and support an independant butcher.
Wild horse meat and cattle on Nature Reserve land
Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems (FREE Nature)
www.wildernisvlees.nl
www.freenature.nl
Meat Your Own
Meat Your Own was one of the first websites I came across, and is a fantastic resource that gathers all the pasture and organic farms in Holland where you can buy directly. This is where I found many of the others that I now use to source my own meat.
www.meatyourown.nl
Wild Rund Vlees
Wild Rund Vlees, literally translated as wild beef, are semi-wild cattle raised in conservation areas.
They deliver to pick-up points around the Netherlands, and I pick it up at a local farm shop once a month.
https://www.wildrundvlees.nl/
Wageningen Organic Butcher
Wageningen organic butcher.
My favourite place of all time! The owners and staff are simply wonderful humans, and I have a great laugh everytime I go in, while being able to source the best organic meat and support an independant butcher.
Wild horse meat and cattle on Nature Reserve land
Foundation for Restoring European Ecosystems (FREE Nature)
www.wildernisvlees.nl
www.freenature.nl
Wageningen Farmers Market
Saturdays at the main centre around the church.
Saturdays at the main centre around the church.
Mangalitza pastured pig farm in Sint Willebrord (4711PP).
This place is simply heaven! A beautiful organic Permaculture and pasture farm raising Mangalitza pigs, chickens, rabbits and sheep. Meat pick-up is at the farm. I visited the farm (a 2h drive one way!) to pick up some meat, and fell in love with everything! Jeff the owner proudly showed me around and introduced me to the animals, the concept and his obvious passion for reconnecting people with their food, the land, and being part of the solution through sustainable and ethical meat production.
Straight from the farm: Mangalitza pork from Jeffs farm
At the moment, Jeff only has an instagram. You can follow him at @mangalitzafarmernl
This place is simply heaven! A beautiful organic Permaculture and pasture farm raising Mangalitza pigs, chickens, rabbits and sheep. Meat pick-up is at the farm. I visited the farm (a 2h drive one way!) to pick up some meat, and fell in love with everything! Jeff the owner proudly showed me around and introduced me to the animals, the concept and his obvious passion for reconnecting people with their food, the land, and being part of the solution through sustainable and ethical meat production.
Straight from the farm: Mangalitza pork from Jeffs farm
At the moment, Jeff only has an instagram. You can follow him at @mangalitzafarmernl
Switzerland/France
GENEVA LINKS & PLACES & RESOURCES
FARMERS MARKETS:
ORGANIC SHOPS WITH THE BEST BUTCHER/MEAT OPTIONS:
ONLINE BIO:
GENEVA CLINICS & THERAPIES:
GVA REGION FARMS & FARMERS MARKETS:
GENEVE EN TRANSITION, READY RESOURCES:
FARMERS MARKETS:
- Marché de Ferney Voltaire, France on Saturdays
- Marché de Divonne, France on Sundays
- Marché de Collonge Sous Salève, France on Sundays
ORGANIC SHOPS WITH THE BEST BUTCHER/MEAT OPTIONS:
- On a Vie organic chain, specifically the large one in Neydens (France) has an excellent butcher counter
- Satoriz chain in France
ONLINE BIO:
- Bio Me Up: https://biomeup.ch/nos-produits/boucherie-bio/113-viandes-fraiches
- farmy.ch
- Happymeat.ch
GENEVA CLINICS & THERAPIES:
- The Treatement Room; http://thetreatmentroom.ch/#home
- Rebouteux: http://rebouteux.org/
GVA REGION FARMS & FARMERS MARKETS:
- Geneve Terroir, https://www.geneveterroir.ch/fr/ferme-jaquet/4435
GENEVE EN TRANSITION, READY RESOURCES:
- Genève en Transition, Inventons la ville de demain
The UK
The Pasture for Life network of 100% grass-fed grass-finished pastured meat:
Hayes Meadow organic 100% Grass-Fed Artisan Farm, Devon:
Popti & Beast organic Baker and Butcher (best meat in Bristol!!!), St Werburghs, Bristol
Hayes Meadow organic 100% Grass-Fed Artisan Farm, Devon:
Popti & Beast organic Baker and Butcher (best meat in Bristol!!!), St Werburghs, Bristol
USA: Regenerative Farms
The US has incredible regenerative farms that provide options for nose to tail high quality meat sourcing direct from the producer!
- Widnor Farms, WA. The farm is open Saturdays from 10-2PM and ships to all 50 states every Monday and Tuesday. https://shopwidnorfarms.com/
- White Oak Pastures, Georgia. https://www.whiteoakpastures.com/
- PolyFace, Virginia. https://www.polyfacefarms.com/
Real Food Supplements (UK-based)
Hunter & Gather are a UK-based company with a fantastic ethos and provide very reasonably-priced high quality 100% pure lab tested collagen peptides, freeze dried wild Icelandic Lamb organ supplements & have a range of keto/paleo products like mayonnaise, MCT oil and avocado oil:
BUBS Naturals Collagen Protein (unflavoured)
Check out Bubs Naturals for some really high quality unflavored collagen protein, especially if you are in the US. BUBS Naturals is a line of whole foods supplements that are clean, pesticide-free, kosher certified and non-GMO, and many of their products are gluten-free and Keto Friendly as well. In addition, 10% of every sale on BUBS Naturals goes directly to the Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation.
Global and local...
I shall continue to update this page with resources I come across on my travels, and please feel free to get in touch with me if you know of any in your area and I can add it for others!
MAKING A CARNIVORE WOE AFFORDABLE
There are 3 broad ways I think of in terms of decision-making to make a carnivore / whole food animal-based way of eating more affordable:
1. Compromise quality (my last resort). Conventional meat is generally cheaper than grass-fed organic meat. (but not always! The grass-fed meat I get straight from the farmer is cheaper than conventional meat I would buy from the supermarket). If I had to eat conventional, I would go for leaner cuts, as toxins are stored mainly in adipose tissue (fat).
2. Choose cheaper cuts & different animal sources. Beef & veal is generally more expensive than pork and poultry but also more nutrient dense + balanced (fatty acids).
Minced meat is cheaper than steak, etc.
Odd bits (offal) are generally the cheapest + most nutrient dense.
3. Cut out the middle man. Go straight to the source - the farmer! Cow shares are becoming more popular, buying a whole cow is an amazing deal if you have the freezer space + that way you automatically get all sorts of cuts & the benefits of eating nose to tail!
There are always options! Decide what your priorities are, what your non-negotiable nutrition sources are & what you do best with & then work around those to make it work.
Ex: I do best with red meat, so I will get the minimum amount to feel good, then fill in the gaps with pork & eggs.
The most affordable + nutrient dense + nutrient balanced setup I will use if I need is:
Organic minced beef + farm eggs + liver & heart (chicken is my go-to, but beef and lamb too) + sardines (with the bone!). Add a bit of bone & marrow, and I can eat for under 10eu a day on this, and feel amazing!
When I need to stick to a strict and tight budget, I personally choose not to compromise on quality but simply eat more eggs + cheaper cuts: liver, heart & organ meat and freshly minced organic & grass-finished red meat.
1. Compromise quality (my last resort). Conventional meat is generally cheaper than grass-fed organic meat. (but not always! The grass-fed meat I get straight from the farmer is cheaper than conventional meat I would buy from the supermarket). If I had to eat conventional, I would go for leaner cuts, as toxins are stored mainly in adipose tissue (fat).
2. Choose cheaper cuts & different animal sources. Beef & veal is generally more expensive than pork and poultry but also more nutrient dense + balanced (fatty acids).
Minced meat is cheaper than steak, etc.
Odd bits (offal) are generally the cheapest + most nutrient dense.
3. Cut out the middle man. Go straight to the source - the farmer! Cow shares are becoming more popular, buying a whole cow is an amazing deal if you have the freezer space + that way you automatically get all sorts of cuts & the benefits of eating nose to tail!
There are always options! Decide what your priorities are, what your non-negotiable nutrition sources are & what you do best with & then work around those to make it work.
Ex: I do best with red meat, so I will get the minimum amount to feel good, then fill in the gaps with pork & eggs.
The most affordable + nutrient dense + nutrient balanced setup I will use if I need is:
Organic minced beef + farm eggs + liver & heart (chicken is my go-to, but beef and lamb too) + sardines (with the bone!). Add a bit of bone & marrow, and I can eat for under 10eu a day on this, and feel amazing!
When I need to stick to a strict and tight budget, I personally choose not to compromise on quality but simply eat more eggs + cheaper cuts: liver, heart & organ meat and freshly minced organic & grass-finished red meat.