190 Lakeview Road, Route 715
Coles Island, New Brunswick
I was so happy when I discovered Terry Mierau of Cedar Lane Farms at the Kingston Farmer’s Market last year. I had been reading some scary things about industrially produced meat in one of my university classes and was looking for somewhere to get local meat free from all the grossness I read about. Most of our vacuum-packed meat is raised in cattle feedlots where animals stand like sardines in their own filth and are kept in such horrid conditions that they invariably get sick and must be constantly fed antibiotics. They are also fed growth hormones so they will get big and fat very fast. These antibiotics and hormones (and who knows what else) end up in our meat and milk, wreaking mysterious havoc on our bodies. Lovely!
Cedar Lane Farms is located in Cole Island, New Brunswick, where they raise chickens, turkeys, pigs and sheep. Their meat is not certified organic, which is an expensive and lengthy accreditation process they are currently undergoing, but they will attest (and show you pictures!) that their animals are kept in wide open spaces and eat grass and do normal animal things. A far cry from the cattle feedlots!
You can buy Cedar Lane Farms meat at the Kingston Farmers' market (open Saturday until 1 pm). The Mieraus sell pasture-raised chickens, organic grass-fed beef (David Burnett's farm) as well as farm-fresh eggs (also organic and free-range). They make A-MAZING home-cured double-smoked bacon and homemade sausages which are both to die for. They also provide maple syrup and fruits and vegetables when in season.
In order to score some eggs you have to get there EARLY or else they're all gone. Also, the chicken goes fast. Your best bet is to pre-order chicken (also lamb) for butchering season. Then you can be sure to get what you want. I ordered a chicken last year, which I got in July, and it was delicious and tasted so much more… chicken-y. I've ordered 3 this year and am told there are still some available! See their email address below if you are interested.
This isn't their farm specifically, but it's what I picture :)
Truthfully their products are not much more expensive than what you would find in the store, and taste much better, and not to mention healthier. Win, win, win!
More info:
For more information on their cow-share program or any of their products, email them at tpmierau@hotmail.com
Also, if you’re interested in commercial sources of meat, Fast Food Nation (the book, the movie or the website: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/fastfoodnation/ ) will tell you all about it.
Here is another article about the threat of industrial meat production on us and our environment - prepare to be freaked out, but informed!
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=124815586
No comments:
Post a Comment