When it comes to buying beef, the options are endless. The typical packages of beef we buy in grocery stores contain little information about how the meat was produced.
Grass-finished beef is different. Grass-finished cattle raised with rotational grazing help sequester carbon and improve soil health and water quality.
Aligning with Responsible and Sustainable Food Choices
In an era when so much of our food comes from cramped feedlots and is loaded with chemicals that are harmful to the environment, consuming grass-fed beef can help restore balance. Strauss partners with farmers who tend tracts of alfalfa, clover and nutrient-rich native grasses where specific breeds of cattle are grazed in a sustainable manner that’s good for the cattle, the land and our health.
The resulting beef is leaner, lower in calories and higher in Omega 3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. It is also a great source of protein and B vitamins.
The resurgence of grass-fed beef has caught the attention of chefs, consumers and even celebrities like Beyonce and Jay-Z, who have embraced it on their menus. The best way to support the resurgence of grass-fed beef is to purchase it from local farmers that use sustainable practices and support their community. It’s a simple way to make a big impact!
Supporting Environmental Stewardship
Grass-fed cattle spend their entire lives on pasture, where they’re naturally able to convert grass to muscle and fat. This means that no extra land is needed to grow grain for them, and it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
The animals’ manure helps return nutrients to the soil, which is important for sustaining healthy pastures. It also helps trap carbon in the soil, which can mitigate climate change.
Many people, especially those who eat meat, want to make an environmental impact with their food choices but don’t feel comfortable or can’t afford to go vegan. The solution may be to eat less meat overall but purchase beef that is raised with responsible environmental stewardship in mind, like grass-fed beef.
Currently, about 75% to 80% of grass-fed beef sold in the U.S. is imported from Australia and New Zealand. The reason for this is that many local ranchers don’t have the land to raise and finish beef sustainably. A notable exception is Joel Salatin, whose Polyface Farm in Virginia is considered a model for regenerative agriculture and holistic range management.
Supporting Your Health
Pound for pound, lean beef provides a good source of protein, zinc, iron and B vitamins. When purchasing meat, choose grass-fed over grain fed to help lower your cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
Grass-fed cows have up to six times more omega-3 fatty acids than their grain-fed counterparts. These fatty acids are important for heart health, and they can also combat the effects of rheumatoid arthritis by decreasing inflammation in the body.
When shopping for meat, look for labels that say USDA Process Verified and Certified Grassfed. This means that the meat was raised on a farm that has been verified by the USDA and was only fed organic feed throughout its lifetime.
In contrast, much of the beef consumed comes from crowded feedlots and is fed a diet that prioritizes corn and soy over grass. Many of these cattle are injected with antibiotics and growth hormones, which can negatively impact your health when ingested.
Supporting Your Local Economy
When you walk into a grocery store, the labels and claims on meat can be overwhelming. But when you choose to purchase grass-fed beef, you’re supporting local farmers and a sustainable food system.
Grass-fed beef is typically leaner and lower in fat. It also contains more omega-3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for your health. Grass-fed beef can be more expensive than grain-fed beef, but the taste and health benefits make it worth the extra cost for many consumers.
To ensure you’re choosing a truly grass-fed product, look for the USDA Process Verified label. This certification means that the cattle were raised on grass throughout their life, without antibiotics and commercial feed. You can also visit a local farmer’s market in Union County to meet the farmer and ask questions about how their cattle are raised. If you’re unable to purchase grass-fed beef locally, look for the “country of origin” information on your meat package, as this will help you identify imported products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is organic food good for you?
There are two types: foods that we grow and those that we purchase from others. There are exceptions to these categories, but most people will answer your question yes. Organic food is healthier as it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or pesticides, herbicides and preservatives.
In supermarkets all over North America, Europe Asia, Latin America, Latin America, and Africa, you can find organic food. Most grocery stores now carry organic food, making it easier for consumers to choose organic products.
Organic food is better tasting and healthier because it contains more vitamins and minerals. Organics are grown without using pesticides and fertilizers. They also don't pollute soil or water.
Organic farming is regulated by the USDA. Farmers must follow strict guidelines to ensure safe eating. There are currently over 30 million acres of US farmland certified as organic.
Organic food is often less expensive than conventional food. For the same amount, consumers pay less. Organic farms can charge lower prices for their crops since they aren't required to pay for expensive chemical inputs such as insecticides or fungicides.
In fact, according to the Environmental Working Group, organic food costs 10 percent less per pound than conventionally produced food. Consider switching to organic foods if you are concerned about your health and the well-being of your family.
Organic food has been a popular alternative for standard American diets. While many believe organic food can only come from specialty markets and fine dining restaurants, it is not true. Organic food can easily be found in any regular grocery store across the United States.
In recent years, organic food sales have been on the rise. Organic food market value in the US increased from $21 billion to $43 billion in 2007 to reach $43 billion in 2012.
What should I be looking out for when shopping organic products
USDA-certified organic labels should be sought. This certification means that the product is certified organic by USDA. On packages, boxes, cartons or cans, look out for the USDA Organic seal.
When shopping for meat, ensure it comes from cows fed 100% organic feed. Cattle are ruminants. This means they chew the cud. Ruminant cattle have four stomach areas: rumen (reticulum), omasum (omasum), and abomasum. Organic feeding must be done on all organs of the animal in order to get the cow labelled organic 100 percent.
Chicken should be only purchased from chickens raised on organic feed, and not given antibiotics. Omnivore chickens can eat both plants as well as animals. The digestive tract of an omnivorous chicken is composed of a crop and proventriculus, gizzard as well as small intestine, large intestinale, and anus.
Buy dairy products that are 100% organically produced. Just like ruminants, dairy cows also have four stomachs. The fourth stomach compartment--the cow's udder--is where milk is produced.
When purchasing other types of livestock, check the label to see what percentage of the diet the animals were fed. Pork may be labeled "95% Organic" which means that 95 percent of its feed was organic.
What is the difference in organic and non-organic foods?
Organic food is grown without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, sewage effluent, radiation, or genetic modification. Organic farming practices improve soil health and water quality as well as animal welfare.
Inorganic foods are produced using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage effluent. Radiated foods are those that have been exposed to radiation. Genetically modified organisms, or GMOs, are created using biological engineering techniques.
Sometimes, the term "natural", is used interchangeably with "organic." But, "natural" does not necessarily refer to organic. Some products labeled "natural" may also contain synthetic ingredients.
Organic produce is usually more nutritious that conventional produce. This is because organic soil contains fewer toxic chemicals and pesticides. Organic farmers are free from artificial fertilizers and pesticides.
What are the top organic vegetables?
Organic vegetables are the best and most nutritious food source. They are considered the healthiest food on Earth.
Organic produce is grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and GMO seeds. These chemicals pose severe dangers to our health as well as the environment.
Organic produce contains more nutrients, vitamins and minerals. This makes them more healthy because organic produce absorbs nutrients better.
Organic vegetables are delicious and safe to eat. Organic produce is free from known side effects.
You can find organic fruits and veggies at any grocery store. You can find organic fruits and vegetables at all grocery stores as long as they conform to USDA guidelines.
What are some of the benefits of organic agriculture?
Organic farming offers farmers a method of growing food that doesn't require the use of chemicals. Farmers do not need to worry about harmful pesticides harming their crops or animals.
Organic farming also permits for the use of natural fertilizers. These fertilizers are good for plants that are healthy and reduce chemical waste.
Organic farming is also beneficial for the environment. Farmers often use composting techniques to recycle nutrients back into the soil. This reduces the risk of pollution and helps conserve precious resources.
Organic farming is good for the environment and increases crop yields. This is because organic farming requires less water to grow the crops.
Organic farming methods can also result in higher prices for farmers' produce. Consumers who become more aware of the dangers of pesticides and chemical fertilizers demand healthier foods.
This raises the demand to produce organic food products. Organic farming has become increasingly popular.
What does it mean to be an organic food producer?
Organic food producers create products that are grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These foods include fruits, veggies, grains, and dairy goods.
Organic food production is only possible on farms where the crops are grown naturally. This includes soil preparation, pest controls, and crop rotation.
USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), has strict requirements for agricultural products to be certified organic.
These guidelines will ensure that consumers have safe, healthy, and nutritious food.
Organic food has many benefits, including lower pesticide residues and higher levels of heavy metal contamination as well as better nutrition and flavor.
USDA Organic Products must have the "USDA Certified organic" label.
This certification means the product has met the standards of the National Organic Program.
Organic food can help us eat better and protect our environment.
Organic farming techniques conserve water and land. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which are responsible for climate change.
Organic agriculture uses fewer chemical inputs and pollutes less.
It improves air quality as harmful gases such nitrates or ammonia are less likely to accumulate in the atmosphere.
There are many types and varieties of organic farming.
Conventional farming involves the use artificial inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides.
Regenerative farming includes compost, cover crops, as well as green manures that improve soil health. It also promotes biodiversity.
Agroecology concentrates on the sustainable relationship between people, plants and animals.
Permaculture encourages self sufficiency by designing systems that mirror nature.
Statistics
- According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
- Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
- Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
- As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)
External Links
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- The link between occupational pesticide exposure and cancer risk: A review: Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health. Part B. Vol 15, No 4.
- Genetically modified foods - safety, risks and public concern - A review - Journal of Food Science and Technology
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How To
Five Reasons to Purchase Organic Products
Organic food is grown without synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. They contain no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or irradiated ingredients. They are not made with sewage sludge, industrial solvents, or any other chemical substances. During its growing cycle, the food's natural environment will be protected from contamination. It does not contain artificial preservatives or additives. There are no hormones and antibiotics used. In addition, they are produced under conditions that allow them to retain their nutritional value and freshness for longer periods.
- Health benefits. Nonorganic produce is more chemically-laden than organic. This makes it less likely to cause allergies or sensitivities. This also means that you are consuming less toxins and carcinogens.
- Eco-friendliness. Organically grown produce doesn't require synthetic fertilizer or pesticides. Organic farms are typically located far away form areas of high pollution and where conventional growth is difficult because it requires so much effort. This helps to reduce air pollution.
- Sustainability. Organic farming relies more on soil fertility than chemical fertilizers. This results is healthier soils with higher organic matter. It is better for soil health to rotate crops and allow the land to fallow regularly. When farm animals eat only grasses and grains raised without any added hormones or antibiotics, they develop strong immune systems.
- Taste. Because they are picked at their peak ripeness and then shipped long distances to supermarkets, conventional fruits and vegetables can often taste bland. Organic produce tastes richer and sweeter because it was harvested while still unripe.
- Nutrition. GMOs and BPA can be found in many processed foods. Stick to whole foods, including meat, eggs fish, nuts seeds, beans and fruit.
Resources:
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