Avon Valley Beef
I am a carnivore. Actually I may even be a hyper-carnivore although perhaps I’m more of a meso-carnivore. Semantics aside I really do love a piece of dead animal. I must admit though I wonder if my love of dead animals might be looked upon by my descendants as immoral.
It's very difficult to sensibly argue against the ethical concerns raised by those who do not eat meat. It’s also difficult to argue against the health benefits of eating meat. I eat meat, because I place my own health above the welfare of an animal. I’m comfortable that in doing so I’m partially responsible for inflicting considerable suffering on a largely helpless beast.
Hopefully the boffin's can perfect the creation of artificial meat in the near future. This allowing us all to enjoy the health benefits provided by meat whilst not torturing a sentient animal. We have managed to produce artificial meat and the taste apparently was acceptable (1). The current technology required however is not cost effective. It seems only a matter of time before this changes.
I’m not really supportive of buying produce from the big food chains. Sure I accept it’s convenient, but the quality of the product is usually inferior to local produce. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the purchase of meat from your big retailers. Ever wondered why it all looks so fresh, so red? Wonder no longer! (2).
After moving into our home a few years ago it took us quite some time to find a decent butcher. It was with utter relief that we found Avon Valley Beef. So what do I love about Avon Valley Beef? Oh let me count the ways.
To begin with all of their products are locally sourced. That means fresh stuff which is grown and slaughtered in way which is less harmful to the animal than more intensive meat producers. I’ve never seen chicken on display which is not free range.
The range of their products is also extensive. They offer a variety of beef cuts right up from prime fillet down to chuck, oyster blade and everything in between. They also offer Pork, Lamb and chicken. Once again they offer a good range of cuts. If you can think of it, they offer it. When I wanted to have a crack at making my own bacon, they got the cut I needed in and away I went. You won’t get that from the big retailers.
Their service is absolutely top notch. When I walk in to the shop with the family they always say hi. The staff are knowledgeable and are always wonderful with my two-year-old son. You won’t get that from the big retailers.
Lastly the cost of their produce really is very reasonable. Sure there are some cut’s that are more expensive than others, but when compared with the big retailers many of their cuts are priced similarly. Avon Valley Beef is less expensive than specialty butchers in my experience.
Until we can perfect artificial meat which is cost affordable I’m satisfied with consuming my meat in a way which causes the least amount of suffering to the animal whist remaining practical. Shopping at Avon Valley Beef achieves this.
- http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23576143
- http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/why-supermarket-meat-is-always-unnaturally-red/