In 2020, our distributor What Chefs Want was in search of a local farm partner for a brand new “in-house whole animal” beef program. After discussing this with current suppliers and deciding none were the right fit, they (What Chefs Want) approached The Berry Center and Our Home Place Meat because of our story, values, and existing relationships with multiple farmers.
We started with Rose Veal as an organization because it “fit” the farming operations of our community, but this ask was different. It was asking our farmers to finish beef to USDA Choice, which meant more inputs, risks, and changes to their operations. Our farmers decided this was an opportunity they wanted to take and so, Berry Beef was born.
Berry Beef is a grain-on-grass finished beef, meaning animals are raised on perennial pastures with free choice grass, hay, and grain. The difference is unmistakable from grocery store (commodity) beef because of the quality and flavor. These are healthy animals raised on healthy land- not in a confined animal feeding operation (CAFO / feedlot).
Since late 2021, Berry Beef has grown slowly and methodically within the restaurant scenes in Louisville, Lexington, and Cincinnati. And while restaurants are still our main source of business, we’ve decided that now is the right time to offer Berry Beef direct to consumers to enjoy at home. Supplies are limited for direct-to-consumer sales, but we hope to grow this the same way we did restaurant sales. Enjoy!
Eat Well,
Beth Douglas
Director, Our Home Place Meat
