And we've never been happier! Everything we've gotten, from chicken to beef stew meat, has been tasty and easy to cook. We signed up for a three month share, and every month we eagerly await our delivery. We've gotten chicken, bacon, pork shoulder, hamburger, sausage, ham, eggs, pork chops, filet mignon....I could go on and on, but every time we get a different mix of meats, and every time it's a delight to see what we get.
When we go shopping at the grocery store, it's so much easier; we just have to get things to go along with our meat. And I'll let you in on a secret: if you start with top-notch ingredients, you can be forgiven for not being the world's best chef. I've overcooked a pork chop or two, and even the seemingly overcooked stuff turns out great.
My wife and I had the great privilege of visiting Cedar Valley Farm in late April this year, and had an amazing time. We got a tour of the farm, we got to see the fenced-off areas for pigs and cows, we got to see the beautiful pasture where the chickens are raised, and we got to see that the animals are treated kindly and with respect, like they wouldÂ?ve been at a farm hundred years ago. There arenÂ?t any pens or concrete floors, all the animals roam around in areas fenced off roughly by electric wire, and they all seemed perfectly content.
IÂ?ve tried to be an informed citizen about my food; my wife and I have read the books and articles about the modern industrial farming process, and if itÂ?s not downright creepy, itÂ?s at least worrisome. But our drive to Cedar Valley Farm was reassuring in so many ways. Everything was clean, the pastures were lush and green, and all the animals were treated with respect.
After our visit to the farm, I emailed pictures of our visit to friends of mine, who live in various places around the country. Within two days, based on my praise, five of them had signed up for CSAÂ?s in their own cities. A good product is its own best advertising.
And at bottom, thereÂ?s something very reassuring about shaking the hands of the people who provide you your food.
Plus, this is all without mentioning the TASTE. Everything weÂ?ve gotten, whether beef, chicken or pork, has been juicy and tender and absolutely amazing. We look forward every month to see what new present we get in our meat share, and weÂ?re never disappointed. My wife and I will be members of the Cedar Valley Farm CSA as long as itÂ?s offered.