“You are what what you eat eats.”
― Michael Pollan, In Defense of Food: An Eater’s Manifesto
Meat and poultry have garnered quite a bad reputation; from fueling climate change to causing cancer, animal protein is making scary headlines all the time. And while there is some truth to the way industrial agriculture contributes to both of those things, the reality is that animals, when raised properly, can be part of the answer to climate change and contribute to healthy diets instead of their detriment. The way that our food system has industrialized our protein supply — that’s a problem. A big one.
Family farms of old have been replaced by food manufacturers, cramming as many animals in as possible and stuffing them with things they were never meant to eat.
So what do we do about it? Eat less of it. A poultry producer telling you to eat less protein? Absurd, but here we are. I suppose what we really mean is to eat less of the conventionally raised proteins and more that have been raised in a way that actually benefits the planet. We pasture raise our poultry and our pasture is healthier than it ever would have been without them there.
Michael Pollen says “you are what you eat eats.” Chickens are supposed to eat insects, seeds, grass, and generally are happier foraging. Forcing chickens to eat a “vegetarian” diet and keeping them in dark cages goes against their physiology. What we aim to raise is animals that are as healthy and happy as possible. When you choose your food carefully, rather than just trying to find the cheapest price per pound, you are part of the solution.
Did we mention that they taste SO MUCH BETTER? A chicken that is raised as a chicken tastes more like chicken. It really is that simple.
It’s never “cheap” to make high quality food. Your health is an investment. The way we care for our livestock and lands is an investment for our future generations. Invest in yourself and the earth: shop local, buy pasture-raised protein, and support local producers. Find a nearby farmer and let’s reduce our dependence on the global supply chain. Together.
