Meat Up

You will most certainly begin hearing more about lab-grown-meat this year as investors are pumping more cash into biotech startups looking to turn animal cells into meat without the costs of actually raising and harvesting real animals. However, don’t expect the petri dish to replace the industrial meat complex in America known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) anytime soon.

After working with Good Meat Project, where I’ve been exploring the recent shifts in culture, environment and now the economy, I’m optimistic that a resurgence of whole animal butchery from local and regional farms will continue accelerating as a supplement to our meat supply chain. If you get a chance, I recommend reading the 2018 book by Camas Davis, founder of Good Meat Project, called KILLING IT - AN EDUCATION. A great read about her transformational story.

Whole animal butchery is the practice of using as much of an animal as possible, rather than just select cuts of meat. This means using everything from the bones for broth to the organ meats, rather than just the popular cuts like steaks and roasts.

In recent years, whole animal butchery has become more popular for a number of reasons. For one, it can be more economical than buying just the popular cuts. This is especially true when buying from a local farmer or rancher, as you can often get a better price for purchasing a whole animal rather than individual cuts.

In addition to the financial benefits, whole animal butchery also offers a number of other advantages. For those who value sustainability, it can help support small and local farmers. Whole animal butchery also allows for more control over the quality of the meat being consumed, as it is often possible to learn more about the animal's diet and living conditions when buying from a local farmer.

But perhaps most importantly, whole animal butchery is a way to reduce food waste and make the most of the resources we have. Rather than throwing away the parts of the animal that are not as popular, whole animal butchery allows us to make use of everything and minimize waste.

In addition to these benefits, whole animal butchery has also gained popularity due to the rise of the farm-to-table movement and an increased focus on where our food comes from. Many people are looking for more transparency and traceability in their food, and whole animal butchery allows them to have a deeper understanding of the entire process.

Overall, whole animal butchery offers a number of benefits, including value, sustainability, and reducing food waste. It's no wonder that it is becoming an increasingly way for Americans to “Meat Up.”