One of the issues we have with elements of the meat and food industry, is that it is faceless. This suits the system, it can hide the reality of industrial farming behind colourful packages depicting grazing animals.
Consider us your personal 'ethical meat brokers'! We do the hard work, we know where to look, what to ask, what is not being said, what not to trust, and how to arrange the logistics of getting a rare almost wild fell reared beef cow from one of the best farmers in the UK onto your table whilst minimising stress to the animal and promptly paying the farmer a fair price.
We will go to 'painsteaking' lengths to test these producers, their products, get to know them and build trusted relationships, you can then buy our produce with a clear conscience.
Consider us your personal 'ethical meat brokers'! We do the hard work, we know where to look, what to ask, what is not being said, what not to trust, and how to arrange the logistics of getting a rare almost wild fell reared beef cow from one of the best farmers in the UK onto your table whilst minimising stress to the animal and promptly paying the farmer a fair price.
We will go to 'painsteaking' lengths to test these producers, their products, get to know them and build trusted relationships, you can then buy our produce with a clear conscience.
'those who have the PRIVILEGE to know have the duty to act' - Einstein
Introducing myself – Caroline Watson
I always felt great concern and empathy for animal welfare and became a very young campaigner for the WWF, I felt so strongly about it that I declared I was turning vegetarian. My Mother cracked my resolve 3 days later with a ridiculously delicious smelling bacon sandwich! My real passion for animal welfare came about when getting my first weekend job at the age of 14. I worked in a nearby battery egg farm, an experience that shaped my disgust over man’s treatment of animals in the pursuit of cheap food. My job usually entailed sorting ‘pooey’ eggs, but one day we had to go in to the chicken shed and hand collect the eggs when the conveyor belt failed. The horror of this encounter will stick with me forever. The hens were in tiny cages squeezed in so tight they couldn't turn, had lost all their feathers, were bleeding, sore and lifeless. It wasn't just the shock that took my breath away, I hardly breathe for the smell of ammonia, I simply had no idea that we did this to animals to produce food! My first career supported my love of the outdoors and my desire to protect its beauty, flora and fauna. I trained with the National Trust, qualified in Environmental Conservation and became a National Park Ranger in the Wharfedale, Yorkshire Three Peaks and Malhamdale areas. Working in and protecting some of the UK’s most beautiful and delicate habitats gave me a real insight into man’s impact on our planet and how farming has a critical role in the our planets future. The following 10 years was spent co-running a 700 acre Fell farm near Coniston in the Lake District. Yew Tree Farm is one of the prettiest and well know Farms in the Lakes and was famous for having been owned by Beatrix Potter. We farmed Herdwick and belted Galloway Cattle, ran a bed and breakfast, tea room and a butchery selling the meat we naturally reared. My time in farming gave me invaluable knowledge and insight into the challenges of farming in its various forms. Jon and I have now separated but Jon still sells herdwick from the butchery at the Farm. I have come across many great farmers and some really bad ones. I realised that most people do not know ANYTHING about the hundreds of different systems used to produce their food. They chose a cellophane wrapped piece of meat in the supermarket and do not think about it more deeply than that. During my time at the farm I campaigned in every way I could to raise awareness and started my first on-line meat business www.heritagemeats.co.uk. I wanted to reward the farmers that care and punish the types of farmers responsible for some of the horrific scenes of animal abuse and neglect I have so often witnessed. Then it all came together and my mission was clear! I was invited to attend the ‘Prince of Wales Summer School’ this was an intense course in sustainable farming and food production. The Prince of Wales invited 18 representatives from the food and farming industry including small farmers, industrialised farms, multi-national brands, environmental bodies and supermarket leaders to create discussion and influence change on the topic. There was expert speakers including the Prince himself, the Chief Scientist, Tony Juniper and leading scientists in Climate change, water resources, farming and food production. We visited Duchy Farm and some great Heritage Food producers, it was more than inspiring. The experience fuelled my passion and has driven me to try and do something to help save the planet, improve the welfare of animals and improve the quality of our food. My interest in food and nutrition has become an obsession and I have educated myself by reading avidly on the subject. I am a passionate foody, I adore cooking and have a insatiable interest in nutrition (particularly the paleo diet and primal diet). I have happily discovered a way of harnessing my experience and knowledge, embracing my passions and making a difference in the world. By working with like minded farmers, I get the pleasure of helping them sell their sustainable, high welfare, nutritious meat and working with equally passionate conscious consumers who fully appreciate the value of the produce we are offering. You never know one day I may make a living at it too! Caroline x |
Introducing - Stephen Grindrod
I was brought up very much in tune with nature in the beautiful Lake District. I was lucky enough to have parents that were happy to let us 'run wild' playing together in the woods and on the fells surrounding us. Life evolved around the seasons and would include sailing trips camping and adventure. I have pursued many sports in nature from walking to hang gliding and now love to mountain bike, canoe and adventure with Caroline and the kids. I am a builder by trade and enjoy working with natures offerings, stone, slate and wood are my favourite materials. I love to create buildings that fit in with the surroundings using curves and interesting features. I have long held the belief that farmers do not care about much more than profits, and that modern farming does far more harm than good. I am glad to say that there are some farmers who genuinely care about their animals, the planet and the quality of the food they produce. These folks are hard to find, the internet and farmers markets are awash with 'average' farmers using clever marketing to 'pull the wool' over your eyes to tap into a niche market. Farm fresh, grass fed, corn fed, out door bred and outdoor reared are all examples of labels that probably mean much less than you think. You need to find out what is NOT being said, this is a learning curve for me too, but this stuff is really important if you want to make changes in our world for the better. Is farming organically and shipping 'organic' grain half way across the world sustainable? Some small hill farmers near us, artificially inseminate their cows, because the genetic's of the bull is aimed at producing huge 'beefy' calves, it is accepted that they can not naturally give birth therefore all the cows are booked a caesarian on an designated day! Is this ethical? I adore food and have over the last couple of years have become more aware of what I am eating and how it is produced. Eating better quality food, especially grass fed meats, has helped me regain my health. Our way of life helps me manage the stress levels of a demanding business. Elements of modern life are comfortable, convenient and clever and I welcome them. Other parts of our contemporary society makes no sense to me and I would rather not be part of. Industrial farming bears no resemblance to the way I thought my food was being produced and I am passionate about being involved in raising awareness around the subject. I firmly believe that our children will grow up happier and healthier from learning about how our food is grown and how to cook it. By behaving and eating in a way over millions of years, evolution created the incredible modern man. In the last few centuries our habits, foods and environment no longer resembles anything our ancestors would recognise. This has created disease, stress, ill health and dysfunctional societies. Please help us make changes, we will try and provide you the information you need to go forth and make better choices, question accepted wisdom and support people who are getting right. Lack of knowledge or apathetic shopping can inadvertently support poor or cruel farming, unsustainable practices and substandard food. Stephen ;) |