Grass-fed beef/ organic farms (Emmaus, Nazareth: how much, buying, live)

[blazerj]

Hi,

I was thinking of buying more organic and local meat.

It seems like the best way to do this is to purchase a half or quarter of a cow and some organic (free range...) chicken. Does anybody currently do this? Any recommendations of which farms to buy from? I know I can buy online from out of state producers, but I wanted to be able to drive to the farm and load up the packaged meat.

I think Valley View Farms does this, but I wanted to see if any of you have suggestions/ experiences with this. Thanks!

[toobusytoday]

I know a couple of farms around me that have signs out front saying they have free range beef or chicken, but I don't know of their internet addresses. I found these sites that should help using the keywords "Lehigh Valley, Free range chicken" and Lehigh Valley, organic raised beef"

Our Partners and How To Be A Locavore in the Lehigh Valley |

I've also seen two or three vendors at the Emmaus farmers markets on Sunday selling organic raised eggs, chicken, buffalo or beef.

[blazerj]

Thanks. That 2nd article is really good. I just wondered if anybody has any experience with any of the farms.

[karen_s]

I have experience with the following:
Klein Farms (love the cheese and got raw milk there for quite some time)
Josie Porter Farm (Cherry Valley CSA) has been my favorite place for veggies this summer - my family had a share
Keepsake Farm in Nazareth is my favorite for raw milk (like theirs a bit better than Klein Farms and it is certified) and their veal is a favorite with my crew
Spring Mountain Farms up in Carbon County is our favorite for free-range pork, chickens, and beef.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by karen_s

I have experience with the following:
Klein Farms (love the cheese and got raw milk there for quite some time)
Josie Porter Farm (Cherry Valley CSA) has been my favorite place for veggies this summer - my family had a share
Keepsake Farm in Nazareth is my favorite for raw milk (like theirs a bit better than Klein Farms and it is certified) and their veal is a favorite with my crew
Spring Mountain Farms up in Carbon County is our favorite for free-range pork, chickens, and beef.

Thanks. What's your opinion on raw milk? I have heard a lot of good things.

[alexiskai]

Originally Posted by blazerj

Thanks. What's your opinion on raw milk? I have heard a lot of good things.

I think it tastes better than conventional milk, although that's just my personal opinion. It has slightly higher levels of nutrients, although probably not to a degree that makes much difference. It has some probiotic content. It spoils faster, particularly if you don't keep it very cold and shake it frequently to prevent the fat from separating. It's more expensive than conventional milk, but it tends to be made with a higher standard of care for the livestock. Choose your supplier carefully and keep an eye out for any stories about illnesses related to milk from a given supplier.

[karen_s]

If you do a blind taste test with my 7 year old, with identical glasses and raw milk vs. store-bought Horizon organic, she will pick the raw as her favorite each time! It's amazing I've tried it with both Klein's and Keepsake's, same result.

We have been drinking the raw ever since she was 1, so that is 6 years already. What alexiskai said above is spot-on. I stop frequently for it and don't get too much, trying to estimate how much we will use. You can also get some Klein Farm cheese at the Weis Market in Forks Township (open 24/7).

[alexiskai]

To be fair, raw milk is likely to win any taste test against most store-bought organic brands because those brands are all "ultra-pasteurized" – heated to 275° to sterilize them (as opposed to 160° for standard pasteurization). This allows them to survive in trucks and on shelves for weeks – a necessity for organic brands, for which demand is much lower than conventional brands. However, the high heat has real effects on the taste of the milk.

I think most folks will be choosing between raw milk and conventional pasteurized milk, and the taste difference there is more subtle. I'm not aware of any organic brands sold around here that haven't been ultra-pasteurized.

[gotpups]

These peeps are awesome!
https://www.facebook.com/KeepsakeFarm

[karen_s]

Originally Posted by alexiskai

To be fair, raw milk is likely to win any taste test against most store-bought organic brands because those brands are all "ultra-pasteurized" – heated to 275° to sterilize them (as opposed to 160° for standard pasteurization). This allows them to survive in trucks and on shelves for weeks – a necessity for organic brands, for which demand is much lower than conventional brands. However, the high heat has real effects on the taste of the milk.

I think most folks will be choosing between raw milk and conventional pasteurized milk, and the taste difference there is more subtle. I'm not aware of any organic brands sold around here that haven't been ultra-pasteurized.

If the raw is shaken, I can't really tell the difference, but then again I don't like to drink milk, so what do I know However, I do love to put it in my coffee!