Organic Beef - Deals, prices and info?

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I am thinking about buying organic beef but what is holding me back is the price. At $4 to $8 a pound I am not sure if that is realistically in my budget.

Does anyone have any tips on getting organic beef cheaper than that?

We are not big beef eaters and mostly eat ground beef and the occasional roast or london broil and we eat beef like once or twice a week. I am sort of squeemish touching meat so it is DH that cooks it mostly. LOL

What should I expect to pay, how can I get a deal, what should I be looking for to make sure the beef I am buying is organic and the animals have been treated humanely?

Does anyone have any online sources?

I was looking at Dakota Beef online last night and they grain feed thier animals which I have heard is not very good for the animals as corn and whatnot upsets thier tummies and causes them stress.

Discuss......

[derketchup]

There is a local healthfood store in Bothell that basically orders a couple of cows every so often and has customers preorder it.

Hmm, let's see. I would try the following:

• see if there are any local ranchers who will sell you a cow or half a cow. You can then freeze it and use it year round.
• find out what local stores sell organic beef AND when they usually mark down their beef. I've had some success stalking the meat cases at Fred Meyer for organic meat. You just have to either use it that day or freeze it that day, which is usually not a big deal for most of us.
• search for a local food co-op and see if they have any connections for organic meat. You don't have to be a member to buy at most co-ops -- they will just tack on a small fee (usually % based).

I agree, avoid grain-fed cattle if you can. In fact, if I had to choose between organic-grain-fed and non-organic but certified free range, I'd go with the free range every time. Even if the cow got a lot of antibiotics, IMO walking around in a field all day would help it get it out of its system sooner. Just like kids who play outside all day and eat HFCS -- they're sadly healthier on average than kids who sit inside all day and only eat organic food.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

As far as local ranchers...we do have them here but most in my research are conventional ranchers ie pasture fed till weened then shipped off to a finishing plant where they are corn fed then processed. We do have a grass fed buffalo ranch localy but I am not too keen on the flavor of buffalo meat myself. Ill keep my eyes peeled for other local options.

I want to make a special trip to my local stores (maybe this weekend) just to research the organic beef options and take some notes on where it is comming from etc. I will look into free range as well.

There are no local food co-ops here where I live.

[jenjacobs]

The only way I'm able to buy organic meat is to use WTs and do the beer/wine rebates. I know most of the beer rebates probably don't inlcude your states but the wine WT usually have no state restrictions. So keep an eye out in the Gimmie My Money Back section!

[austinmomto2]

We rarely can use WT's here in TX.

QOTH,
Do you have farmer's markets close to you? We have numerous markets here and most sells free range or natural or organic beef and other meat products.

GL!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

No farmers markets in Gillette, now that we have a reliable car again I might be willing to drive the 2 hours or so to Sheridan or Spearfish durring farmers market season. We shall see it is still dead of winter right now so no markets going on.

This area of Wyoming does not grow anything farm-wise. We are energy producers not farmers, there are ranchers here (I like to go look at the cowboys on Saturday at Walmart LOL)

Ill have to do a bit more research. Still open to online options though if I can get a halfway decent price.

[Merczilla]

Hehe...yeah, you have Durham, don't ya? lol That's the brand Fred Meyer carries here for buffalo. I'll buy buffalo before I'll buy regular hamburger. We eat moose here, too. I know it's a ways away, but Three Bears has opened a store in Butte. They carry natural meats and they're cheaper than the regular grocery stores. I think I pay $3.29lb for ground. They have a website: Three Bears
. Not much there, but they have phone numbers and such. Maybe they'ed ship as it's not a huge distance.

They do take coupons. There's a local meat market I use and a couple other locals I get stuff from. My cousin's that used to ranch in that area have moved I think. Call my Aunt Delores in Worland and ask her. lmao Maybe my cousin Dale is still in Gillette. lol Not much help am I?

[jenjacobs]

Originally Posted by austinmomto2

We rarely can use WT's here in TX.

Marci - even if you can't use WT in your state, you can send in for WT rebates. Check out this one, it has no state restrictions:

x05/31/08 MIR meat or seafood NWPN Mondavi $5 on $5.05 min valid 2/1 - 5/31/8 pm by 6/15/8 (NWPN Mondavi) - Hot Coupon World

you can trade for them on HCW.

Jennifer

[queenofthehivemomof5]

We actually know the owners of the Durham Buffalo ranch but I really am not keen on the flavor.

I was in Albertsons last night with a little time to kill (that can be dangerous!) and looked high and low for organic beef....nothing, nadda, zip not even in the frozen section. I could have sworn that they carried some a few months back. Ill have to re-check in a month or so after they are done re-setting the store.

I had to pick up a friend last night who ran out of gas in front of the butcher...which reminded me that I wanted to check them out. They were closed but I am planning on checking that out today to see what they offer.

[jujubee]

Queen, what about requesting organic beef from the store manager or meat manager? Or sending a letter to corp expressing your desire to purchase organic beef, and if the store could help you accomodate the request...? Never hurts to ask!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I can do that too. I first want to explore the options in town. The local stand alone butcher, smiths, dons (a local store) then if no go I will speak with the butcher at Albies. Right now the store is a mess so it could be that they were out.

I did notice one lone package of Laura's lean beef....are they organic?

[lvg4him]

I am able to get it for half that price buy looking for the manager's special. I usually shop at King Soopers. But even the local HFS has manager specials.

Also, there is a reason to not just get organic, but to get free range as well. There is a site (I can send it in once I get permission, I think I need to PM the owner of the list first (at least that is how it is for HCW) that has links to grass fed beef. Most of these are not certified organic, however they are organic.

Also, there is a local store where I live that sells organic meats. If you sign up for their email list, they send out coupons.

You can also try to find someone who has a ranch and barter with them. I was able to get raw goat milk cheaper by buying one of her glass bottle containers and just reusing it over and over again. I know with farms, you can work them for a discount on the produce. I don't see why you cannot try to arrange something similar for beef.

Maybe you have something that the farmer is in need of. Can you create a web page to advertise for them? Maybe you are good with advertising and can create and print and mail off an advertisements for them. Maybe you sew and can make some nice work aprons for the family. The key is finding a family owned and operated farm.

[queenofthehivemomof5]

Im the owner...go ahead and post the link. As long as your not profiting from the link go ahead and post!

[queenofthehivemomof5]

where do you go to find out more about local ranches?

[lvg4him]

I don't profit at all from the link. :) I actually found out about it when my second child was not able to handle formula and we had to get raw goat's milk for her.

The first site is the main site:
Weston A. Price Foundation

I am not able to find out how to find a ranch from that site, but if anyone does, if they can please share how.

The second link is a link from that site:
Where Can I Find Real Milk Products?

If you find your state and then look through, you can find some local ranches that sell their grass-fed meat (some are cow, some are buffalo, etc.).

Also, ask around. I was able to find a ranch NOT listed (she was actually just a lady and not a ranch) that was selling raw goat milk for MUCH cheaper just by asking a friend. There might be someone who doesn't have a farm but is raising cows. They might take it to a local butcher to be butchered and might be willing to share some with you (barter or sale). :)

You can also ask in your local health food store. Sometimes, the right person in there can be VERY helpful. :)

Hope you are able to find something near you. :)

[OHeather]

I just purchased free range beef @ Shaw's last week. It was the first time I saw it, and it was on sale for 3.99/#. Not a great price, but I ended up paying $.01 after the $10 meat catalina. It doesn't hurt to ask the butchers at the store about organic/free range meat.

Also, check to see if you can buy a cow or partial cow from a farmer in your general area. Even if it's 2 hours away from you, you'd be getting 1/2 a cow (or whatever you order) and wouldn't have to buy it for months and months. You can also do pigs that way too.

Originally Posted by lvg4him

I don't profit at all from the link. :) I actually found out about it when my second child was not able to handle formula and we had to get raw goat's milk for her.

From what I've read online, raw milk (from a cow) is also fine to drink for those that are lactose intolerant. The raw milk hasn't been processed and heated like pasteurized milk, so it has the natural lactase enzyme in it still.

[mfaust]

I know I can get organic beef from my farm share. I don't know if you have any of those out by you, but if so they are a wealth of knowledge. I know farm shares are becoming more popular, so maybe you would have more luck this way.

[Earthartisan]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5

I can do that too. I first want to explore the options in town. The local stand alone butcher, smiths, dons (a local store) then if no go I will speak with the butcher at Albies. Right now the store is a mess so it could be that they were out.

I did notice one lone package of Laura's lean beef....are they organic?

I went to Laura's Lean Beef: Lean, natural beef. and this is what they say about their meat.

At Laura's Lean Beef, we think it’s best to farm the way nature intended. That’s why we provide our cattle with a diet of natural grasses and grains, without growth hormones or antibiotics. And since lean beef is healthier beef, we raise gourmet breeds such as Limousin and Charolais, which produce tender, delicious burgers, steaks and roasts that are naturally lower in fat.

So whether you want to lose weight, or simply create a healthier lifestyle for your family, Laura’s Lean Beef is the natural choice. We know you’ll appreciate the difference. Enjoy!

[jenjacobs]

I've seen coupons for Laura's.

[mnnice]

I think eatwild.com is a wonderful reference.

We buy grassfeed beef and lamb from a farm that's listed there (although we knew about them already).

[queenofthehivemomof5]

OK guys well here is my update on my quest for organic or grass fed beef.

Albertsons - Carries Lauras Lean beef
Smiths - Carries 12 oz package organic ground beef for $4.99 (ouch that is not even a LB)
Dons (local store) - nothing
Local butcher - nothing said that they are looking into a source but looking at thier prices on conventional raised beef it will be expensive.
Walmart - nadda...not even frozen.

So I have found a ranch with a website that says they deliver to Gillette once a week. I have contacted them via email to get the skinny but thier website says they sell ground beef and 20 lbs is 3.99 a lb. so that would be around 80 bucks. Which sounds high to me but its the best deal I have found thus far.

So lets talk prices guys...for those of you that are buying organic beef what are you paying for it?

[Leann]

Laura's will send you coupons, you can also sign up at the site for the newsletter and get $1.00 IP off any. You can request mailed coupons couple times a year and use them on manger specials. I haven't requested in almost a year so it's time to do it again. Laura's freezes well and we like the taste. I go with mostly price when it comes to meat, but we try to go healthier anytime we can. I have a Food Mart nearby and no one can beat their meat and deli prices, so they are my main meat store. It's independently owned, so I don't know if they are a big chain or not, but they carry the Tyson Organic line at awesome prices. (Around $2 lb for boneless skinless breasts)

[suzy24]

When you pay $3.99/lb for organic beef from a local farmer, you're not just paying for organic meat. You're helping a local small business owner. You're insuring that land close to you remains free from pesticides, antibiotics and other undesirable practices. You're supporting a farmer that most likely is treating his animals in a humane way...the way most of us imagine the animals we eat are treated, but so many of us know if just a myth. We buy our ground beef from a local farmer who delivers once a month. He charges $4/lb for 5lb bulk or $4.25/lb for 1 pound increments. We don't mind paying this to know where our food comes from and how it is treated. The meat tastes great, is extremely lean and is so much healthier for you and the environment. Getting off my soapbox now...HTH!!

[lvg4him]

Leann - I have never seen Tyson Organic, only Tyson natural (there is a very big difference). Does Tyson have an organic line??!! I would love to know. :) I know the butcher (when I asked him about the new Tyson Natural) warned me about the difference between natural and organic.

[Leann]

Originally Posted by lvg4him

Leann - I have never seen Tyson Organic, only Tyson natural (there is a very big difference). Does Tyson have an organic line??!! I would love to know. :) I know the butcher (when I asked him about the new Tyson Natural) warned me about the difference between natural and organic.

How'd I do that? Must have had organic on the brain since that is what I was looking at that day. Yes, it is the Naturals I thinking of. They are hormone and anti-biotic free. But the government says they aren't supposed to use hormones in chicken anyway. Sorry about that. Can I say the moon is made of cheese now? :-) I'm trying to balance savings and better health right now, sometimes it gets complex with no Trader Joes!

[mjenkins73]

I buy organic ground beef at Sprout's and Whole Foods Market.

[txmomof2boys]

We don't eat a whole lot of beef either mainly because of the price. But I get the bulk of mine from a local butcher. The beef comes from a farm that is about 40 minutes from the butcher. He gets the sides in every tuesday and thursday and butchers right on the spot. The nice thing is that there are deals each week on different cuts and kinds. He carries beef, pork, chicken and lamb. He also does special bulk pricing.

My local HEB grocery store also carries organic beef. They are about the same as my local butcher, but I prefer my local butcher, he will cut special for me and I prefer to shop as locally as possible.

HEB Central Market also has a great selection of Organic meats. Our thanksgiving turkey comes from there and it is excellent!

Wine Tags, i believe are not allowed in Texas. I have looked all over for them, and some one told me that it is against the law here.