Local Beef

by Jesse Sharrard

In Pittsburgh, we are fortunate enough to have a variety of local food stores in the vicinity of our region. And, during the warmer months, farmers' market fruit and vegetable stands pop up on each and every corner of the street. But, what about during the cold months? What about the beef?

Grass-Fed vs. Grain-Fed

There are two types of cattle: grass-fed and grain fed. Grass fed (or pasture fed) cattle spend their whole lives living at a pasture, and are rotated through paddocks so they are never overfeed or on any portion of the pasture for too long. Gregory Burns of Heritage Farms says, "Their digestive systems are made to eat grass, not grain." When the cattle are properly raised and the beef appropriately aged, "the result will be every bit as tender as any other beef".

Grain-fed cattle spend several months in stalls, eating a feed that is hay and grain-based feed, often corn. The main benefit of a grain diet and reduced physical activity increases fat content, which many people prefer. "An animal on grass doesn't get fat like one on grain, and that's where you get most of the taste and tenderness," says Richard Footer, grain-fed beef farmer.

Beef can be both organic and grain-fed; it can also be non-organic, but hormone and antibiotic free. Talk to the farmers and find out how they care for the herd, and support the farmers directly.

Where to buy?

Go directly to the source. Once you get out of the city and onto the back roads, you'll quickly stumble upon many options. Beef processors are another good source for fresh beef, and typically have many connections with area farmers and will source a half or whole beef for an interested customer. If you're looking for retail options, Gibsonia's Mish Farms Meat Market offers grain-fed beef; the East End Food Co-op, Uncommon Market and Good Life Market offer cuts of local beef.

Shop for beef online, visit pasafarming.org and learn more.

Resources for stocking your freezer with local beef:

• B & C Country Meats

  814.365.2032
  8023 Route 28
  Mayport, PA 16240

• East End Food Co-Op

  412.242.3598
  7516 Meade St.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15208

• Good Life Market

  412.531.1895
  3141 Banksville Rd.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15216

• Harmony Hill Farm

  724.789.7634
  431 Upper Harmony Rd.
  Evans City, PA 16033

• Heritage Farm

  814.772.0210
  28235 Lake City Rd.
  Ridgeway, PA 15853

• Isidore Foods

  isidorefoods.com

• McGinnis Sisters

  412.858.7000
  4311 Northern Pike
  Monroeville, PA 15146

• Mish Farms Meat Market

  724.449.MEAT
  80 Oak Rd.
  Gibsonia, PA 15044

• M & S Meats

  814.275.1801
  1353 Brookville St. (Rt. 28)
  Fairmount City, PA 16224

• McElhaney Family Farm

  149 Pittsburgh Grade Rd.
  Hookstown, PA 15050
  http://www.familyfarmbeef.com/

• Nature's Way

  724.836.3524
  796 Highland Ave.
  Greensburg, PA 15601

• Nema Food Co.

  412.678.9541
  800 Manning Ave.
  McKeesport, PA 15132

• PASA Laptop Butcher Shop

  http://www.slowfoodpgh.com/laptop.html

• PA Cattlemen's Association

  570.254.6856
  http://www.pacattle.org/

• Uncommon Market

  412.831.7777
  1798 N. Highland Rd.
  Pittsburgh, PA 15241

• Richard Footer

  724.222.3381
  1354 S. Hewitt Ave.
  Washington, PA 15301

• Ron Gargasz Organic Farms

  724.530.7220
  129 Old Ash Rd.
  Volant, PA 16156

• Rush Acres Farm Grass-Fed Beef

  http://www.rushacresfarm.com/

• Sunnybridge Natural Foods

  724.942.5800
  130 Gallery Dr.
  McMurray, PA 15317

• Wagoner-Watterson Polled Herefords

  724.827.2185
  102 Agway Dr.
  Darlington, PA 16115

• Walnut Hill Farms

  724.379.7657
  222 W. Newton Rd.
  Elizabeth, PA 15037

• Weatherbury Farm Grass-Fed Meats

  724.578.3763
  1061 Sugar Run Rd.
  Avella, PA 15312