Why buy your meat from an independent butcher/farm shop/farmer's market

FACT - there are a lot more meat eaters in the UK than vegetarians or vegans (studies suggest there are around 5% vegetarians in the UK).

FACT - the number of vegetarians is growing in the UK

It is known that producing meat, especially lamb and beef, produces greenhouse gases and that large amounts of meat for sale in the UK comes from abroad (stacking up food miles) and/or from factory farms with questionable animal welfare standards (both for animals and workers).  Eating too much meat is also be linked to health issues.

BUT, many of those who eat meat will not become vegetarian in the foreseeable future.  Meat is an integral part of their diet and despite an ongoing reduction in overall meat consumption in the UK over the last 40 years, the negative points above will not stop many from eating meat.

FACT - that makes for a lot of meat eaters. 

But where is the best place to buy your meat?  In my view this would be a local butcher or farm shop/farmer's market.   

Image attribution - wikimedia

Why buy your meat from an independent butcher or farm shop/farmer's market.

Environmental reasons 

• By their very nature at farmer's markets farmer and many farm shops sell their own locally produced meat whilst independent butchers often buy from local farms.  This means the meat they sell has fewer food miles than supermarket meat. A local butcher will often be able to tell you which farm produced the meat it sells.
• It is often easier to take your own containers so reducing plastic waste.
• Lamb and beef produce the greatest amounts of greenhouse gas missions per kg of food but a local butcher, farm shop or market will stock a greater range of meats and may even sell locally shot rabbits or pheasants etc.

Animal welfare reasons

• Some supermarket meat, especially food such as budget processed meats comes from factory farmed meat where-as butchers and farm shops generally use meat from local farmers who practice higher welfare standards.
• Some butchers, farm shops and farmer's markets supply beef from dairy bulls that can be slaughtered at birth on large dairy herds .

Economic reasons

• You will be supporting local businesses who in turn support the local economy keeping local people employed.
• You can buy the exact amount you need, reducing costs and waste.  In a supermarket you are stuck with however much mince or however many chops are in the package but not so at a butcher.  Great for families of "odd" numbers who need 5 chops not the obligatory 4 from pre-packed supermarket shelves.  You can also easily buy less meat and then bulk out your meal with more vegetables and pulses.
• You can buy unusual and cheaper cuts for more variety and less expense.  When did you last see scrag end in a supermarket but your butcher will supply it? A butcher will also often be able to tell you the best ways to cook your meat.

Conclusion

If you are not ready to go vegetarian then buying your meat from a butcher, farm shop or market is a good choice to make.  It may be more expensive than supermarket meat but it is a far better option for the environment, your pocket, your plate, the local economy and animal welfare.  If the cost worries you, why not simply reduce how much meat you buy so you can enjoy fewer meat based meals but that are of a higher quality and better for the environment. 

Do you eat meat?  Would you consider swapping the supermarket for a butcher, farm shop or farmer's market?

Sources used:

The Vegetarian Society Fact Sheets: Number of UK vegetarians

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs - Family food dataset:Detailed annual statistics on family food and drink purchases.