| Organic fruits and vegetables are all the rage | | | | up. Still, you'll be saving money in the long run. |
| nowadays. Farmer's markets are popping up all over | | | | There are a few main reasons for trying cowpooling: |
| the place, and going green and eating sustainable | | | | 1) Buying Local |
| foods are becoming a real lifestyle choice for millions | | | | In tough economic times, it is beneficial to everyone |
| of conscious people. Buying organic grass fed beef is | | | | if we enrich the lives of our communities. Buying |
| another growing interest for the health and | | | | affordable grass fed beef from a local farmer won't |
| planet-conscious set, but for most people it is cost | | | | be funneling money to some far off mega ranch; it |
| exclusionary. Whereas organic fruits and vegetables | | | | will be helping to support a range of local businesses, |
| can be had for just a couple dollars more than | | | | from the farmer, to the butcher and the meat |
| conventionally-grown produce, affordable grass fed | | | | packer. |
| beef simply doesn't exist on a small scale. Steak is | | | | 2) Keeping Control |
| already expensive; organic grass fed steak can cost | | | | It's important to know exactly what you and your |
| twice as much. | | | | family is eating. Purchase packaged beef from the |
| Luckily, a practice gaining traction with "locavores" | | | | local grocer, and you're probably getting |
| (that is, people who choose to practice food | | | | hormone-laden, corn-fed beef that lived a terrible life. |
| sustainability by eating only food from local farms) is | | | | Cowpooling allows you to shop around for a local |
| cowpooling. Cowpooling is the latest buzz term | | | | farmer that conducts business more in line with your |
| describing when a group of people pool their | | | | beliefs and provides a healthy product. |
| resources together to purchase an entire cow from | | | | 3) Health Helper |
| a local farm. Local, smaller farms usually produce free | | | | By buying a side of grass fed beef straight from the |
| range, grass fed, and organic beef, as opposed to | | | | farmer, you're avoiding all the cross-contamination |
| the industrial mega ranches that pump out millions of | | | | and unsafe handling that can occur when cuts of |
| pounds of unhealthy, unhappy beef. When you team | | | | meat have to travel from slaughterhouse to grocery |
| up with some likeminded individuals, you all enjoy | | | | store. |
| wholesale prices of high quality, affordable grass fed | | | | 4) Wallet-friendly |
| beef. You're also supporting a local business doing | | | | Again, cowpooling is an initially expensive investment |
| things "the right way." | | | | if you're used to buying your meat every week in |
| Of course, if you're going to split an entire cow | | | | small quantities. Nowadays, however, with the cost |
| between a few families, you need to make a few | | | | of food fluctuating so much so quickly, buying grass |
| preparations. First of all, you should have ample | | | | fed beef at flat, wholesale prices is an altogether |
| storage space. You're going to have a whole lot of | | | | better decision for you and your family. |
| meat on your hands, so be ready to eat! Consider | | | | If you can't find any willing friends or family to |
| buying a separate, standalone chest freezer for all | | | | cowpool with you, try asking your butcher or the |
| the stuff you don't finish - and it will be a lot. Also, be | | | | people who work the meat counter at your favorite |
| aware that because you're buying a large quantity of | | | | grocery store for farmer recommendations. The |
| meat, you will be paying a decent amount of money. | | | | Internet is always a good last resort for information, |
| Even split amongst several families, a cow is a large | | | | so try a basic Google search or look at this guy's |
| animal, and - while you'll be getting a great | | | | story. |
| price-per-pound of grass fed beef - the costs will add | | | | |