6 Sustainable Meat Delivery Companies That Support Small Farms

Grilling season is nearly upon us, and it’s time to stock up on all the steaks, ribs and ground beef your fridge and freezer can handle. But instead of heading to a big-box store, consider supporting a farm by ordering from a smaller purveyor instead. Not only will you end up with a cut of meat that’s likely more flavorful than the plastic-wrapped, supermarket variety, but you’ll also feel even better about buying it.

“Small family farms are what built this country,” says Justin Brunson, an executive chef in Denver who grew up in a farming community. “It’s sad to see small family farms ceasing operations because they can’t make money or compete against the giant corporations. The difference is in the meat when you’re talking small farmers versus large packers  — not only in quality but in the way the animal was raised.”

Thank a farmer when you order a box from one of these six companies, which all source top-quality meat from local ranchers across the U.S.

River Bear American Meats

This Denver-based company started by Brunson recently partnered with Pasture Perfect Premium Beef, a family-owned farm and ranch in Pierce, Colorado, to launch a new line of Angus beef. All their cattle are sustainably raised without GMOs or hormones and are organic grain-finished, resulting in a well-marbled meat that melts in your mouth when grilled. Their direct-to-consumer site is launching soon, and meats are also available at specialty shops and restaurants in nine states across the country.

 

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Seven Sons Farms

There really are seven sons involved at this farming operation in Roanoke, Indiana, which converted its farmland to a regenerative pasture-based model back in the late 1990s — way before it was trendy. They now partner with like-minded farmers around the Midwest to bring consumers everything from grass-fed beef to chicken, pork, lamb and even bison. The popular Best of Farm Box is a great way to try all of the farm’s offerings for the first time.

 

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US Wellness Meats

Started by a group of Missouri farmers more than two decades ago, this company is one of the originals when it comes to the online meat market. Focused on sustainable land management and raising healthier, happier herds, they now ship premium meats like 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef, lamb, bison and elk to all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

See more: Meal Kit Delivery: Where 5 of Your Favorite Companies Source Their Ingredients

 

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Wallace Farms

The mission of this Iowa-based family farm is to bring top-quality grass-fed beef and other naturally raised meats to the masses with a product that tastes as great as grain-fed. They attribute the lush grasslands of the Midwest, superior soil that’s carefully managed, and the personal touch of their farmers that give offerings like filets, rib-eye steaks and bone-in prime rib the best possible flavor.

See more: Tennessee Farms Expand Into Processing as Demand for Local Meat Soars

 

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Peeler Farms

This farm in southern Texas has raised cattle for more than a century, so it’s safe to say they know what they’re doing. Their certified real wagyu cattle, raised on grass and grain-finished, are free of antibiotics and hormones, resulting in an ultra-tender beef. You’ll find their steaks at restaurants around the state, but they also sell directly to consumers. Every customer deals directly with Marianna Peeler, the face of the ranch who’s beloved by chefs and peers in the industry.

 

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Sergi Farms

A small, sustainable beef farm based in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Sergi Farms is raising and shipping high-quality, pasture-raised beef nationwide. Founder Nick Sergi tragically passed away in 2018 — but the farm honors his legacy through a foundation created to raise funds for national organizations and donate beef to local charities. You don’t get to choose specific cuts with Sergi Farms, but the 25-pound beef variety box never disappoints, and the 15-pound ground beef box is also a perfect option if you love to grill burgers.