Berkeley Parents Network: Where to Buy Meats

Berkeley Parents Network

Where to Buy Meats

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > What/Where to Buy > Food Shopping & Purchase > Meats

Cruelty-free Meats
Meat Free of Hormones and Antibiotics

Cruelty-free Meats

March 2003

My family is beginning to add meat back into our diet, after years of being vegetarians. We became vegetarians for many reasons, and the only one that is still in force for me personally is the issue of cruelty. (Okay, health, too, in the ''hormones and antibiotics'' sense.) Ideally, I'd like to find a source for meat, including poultry, lamb or mutton, and perhaps beef, that is not only raised without harmful additives, but in the case of beef, is grass-fed only, not finished on grain. But wait, that's not all. Ideally, I'd also like the slaughter process to have been/be as cruelty-free, and disease-free as possible. No factory slaughterhouses, in other words. Am I being wildly naive to think that somewhere out there is the equivalent of the old farm neighbor who would sell a complete butchered animal? I know I can purchase organically grown meat at many local stores, but I'm curious about the slaughter and packaging processes also. Thanks! stefani

The best you'll probably find for meats is niman ranch. Here's where yoiu can find info onthe products and get home delivery along with delivery of organic produce (I'm in no way affiliated with either company) http://www.planetorganics.com/about/niman.asp

Try Niman Ranch products. I don't know about the slaughter process in particular, but the company says that all their animals are raised in accordance with strict husbandry standards, which includes humane treatment and only natural feeds. The website (www.nimanranch.com) says that they offer farm and ranch tours so you could see for yourself if they meet your criteria. Their products are widely available at stores and restaurants throughout the Bay Area. Stephanie

Meat Free of Hormones and Antibiotics

2001

Does anyone know where can I get meat without hormones or antibiotics fresh fish The only place I found them is Andronicos which is great but so expensive. Thanks for what you can do. Laurent

Both Magnani (Hopkins near Monterey) and Berkeley Bowl meats sell meat without hormones or antibiotics. I don't know how their prices compare to Andronicos but they're definitely a lot cheaper than Whole Foods.

My guess is that any wild-caught (as opposed to farm-raised) fish would be free of hormones and antibiotics. You can ask the fish seller at both Berkeley Bowl Seafood and Monterey Fish (Hopkins near Montery) and they'll tell you how a given fish was raised or caught. Fran

Berkeley Bowl has all kindds of meat without hormones or antibiotics (also their Deli section has nitrate free turkey breast). El Cerrito Natural Grocery on San Pablo Avenue in El Cerrito has a meat counter inside (Armands meats). Berkeley Bowl has better prices then El Cerrito Nat. and a larger selection. June

Webvan carries meat from Niman Ranch, which raises beef, lamb, and pork using natural feed (with no animal by-products or waste), no growth hormones or antibiotics and allows the animals to roam freely on the land. Webvan also carries Fulton Valley range chicken. Both these cost more than the non-free-range but not only are they additive-free, I have found they are much more tender and tasty. Ginger

You might try either Wild Oats on University (Berkeley) or any of the Whole Foods around the Bay Area. Both of them are health food supermarket chains, and while they might not be much cheaper than Andronico's, I doubt that they could be more. Melanie

"Naturally-raised" meats are considerably more expensive than their conventionally-raised counterparts, although many people simply accept that extra expense and perhaps eat less meat overall to counterbalance. In my experience, chicken is the most widely available "naturally-raised" meat. Whole Foods carries naturally raised beef, pork, lamb etc., but, like Andronico's, at a substantial premium. You might also try VerBrugge's butcher shop on College Avenue between Claremont and Alcatraz. Some of their meats are conventionally-raised, but many are not, their prices are as good as anyone's and they are terrific in terms of customer service. For fish, the Berkeley Bowl's fish market is my favorite. Wendy

Magninis Meat market on Hopkins near Monterey Market in Berkeley, Wild Oats on University east of Sacramento, and there's a meat market at Cafe Rouge on Fourth St, just north of University, Ocean View area of Berkeley, right next to the Pasta Shop. ( You'll pay heartily for the very best, Niemann Schell organic meats.) Whole Foods at Ashby and Telegraph has a large counter, Berkeley Natural Foods on Gilman has a small selection. El Cerrito Natural Foods on San Pablo is a good place. Then there are always those damned Racoons that plague our yards. Good Luck. DNA4IM

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