We have all read the headlines, "Tainted beef leads to grocery recall", "E.Coli Forces Beef Recall", "Kroger recalls tainted beef". The list goes on and on. These headlines are very common throughout the country. How is this possible with all the government regulations that are in place today? With these safety regulations in place, people still die each year from tainted beef, poultry, eggs, etc. Let's first examine where these animal products come from. Commercial farming / stockyards are where the majority of the meats we consume today are processed.
Many of the regulations in place are for the handling after the animal has been slaughtered. But what were the conditions of the animals prior to slaughter? For puropses of this article we will focus on beef cattle. Farming is a business requiring a profit. Cows produce calves that's understood. However, when the cow that produces these calves can no longer produce more calves the cow is no longer an asset to the farmer. These cows can be upwards to 20 years old, sick and unhealthy. The idea is to get them to the stockyard just before they keel over dead. There is very little care involving these cows by the farmer knowing they are just going to the stockyard regardless of health. As long as they are standing and moo-ing they fetch the same price. Then they eventually make it to your families dinner table. Either purchased directly from your local grocer or fast food chain. You may think there is no difference in beef. If so, why does McDonalds charge more for their Angus Burger than their other burgers? How do we know it's Angus? Another concern I have is that Wendy's advertises their beef has never been frozen. Just how long have you had that burger in inventory before you served it to me?
This morning I had bacon and eggs for breakfast. I do love eggs. Fresh eggs.Laid today or yesterday. Once you have a fresh farm egg you will never go back to store bought eggs.Just how old is that egg you got from your local market? 6 days? Or 6 months? That's right, the egg you just had for breakfast could be 6 months old. That's when you purchased them. How long have they been in your refrigerator? If hard boiled how did they peel? When you broke them open in your skillet did the egg fan out our stay intact and firm?
"But how and where do I get fresh eggs, beef, poulrty and veggies?" I'm glad you asked me. Outside of every city there are farms. Many of these farms have these products running around in their fields. For example, just north of Columbus Ohio in Delaware County sits Glori-B Farms. Primarly a soybean and corn farm they also produce Angus Beef, poultry, farm eggs, and in season the sweetest sweet corn around. What is unique about their operation is that it is specialized for you, the american family. Here's what they do.
Now it is understood that the average family does not need or can afford an entire 660 pounds or freezer beef. But how about 1/2 or 1/4 of that? Glori-B Farms has a program that allows you to puchase your portion on a monthly basis as a whole, half or quarter beef over the feeding out process, which usually takes 7-10 months. This makes is more affordable for the average family. For example a side of beef (1/2), would net around 330#. The cost including your portion of processing would be around $875-$925 or $2.87-$2.95 per pound ready to grill. Recent ground beef prices are $2.29 per pound. And premium cuts $7.99 per pound and higher. Some families purchase a side and split the cost with other family members. This beef is fresh and not fed with any hormones. Did I mention it was Angus beef?
Some of the products Glori-B Farms offer are farm fresh eggs laid daily,(Spring-Fall), fresh sweet corn (July-September), Free Range Chickens (Fall), Fresh Free Range Turkey's (Thanksgiving week. The orders usually need to be made by late June). Also, they have a pay lake stocked with bass, bluegill and channel catfish.(Spring-Fall). Coming in the fall of 2013 pheasant hunting should be available.
Glori-B Farms also offers horse boarding and riding trails. Should you need firewood for those cold winter months Glo,ri-B Farms can deliver seasoned wood throughout the year. Should you have an FFA of 4H member in your family, there is plenty of rental space and stalls for that 4H project.
For more information on products contact Brenda at Glori-B Farms (740) 524-3233.
Comments