Nebraska farmers, butchers encourage people to switch to local beef
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As groceries continue to rise in price, some might be searching for a different way to get beef or poultry.
The good news is that Nebraska has more cattle than people, and local farmers and butchers can offer an alternative to big-box grocery stores.
“What we’re trying to do here at this butcher shop is really push artisanship and just show what quality means because that’s what this beef is all about,” said Tony Incontro, head butcher at The Mercato.
The Mercato is a local butcher that provides beef from Piedmontese, a breed of cattle that gives extremely lean cuts of meat.
It offers several different types of cuts and seasoned, prepackaged items such as taco and fajita meat.
While the word “artisan” might sound expensive, The Mercato is selling ground beef for a dollar less than chain grocery stores, currently selling the same quality of beef for $7.99 a pound.
“I mean, we’re right there, if not better, than a lot of [chain grocers] right now, especially since we own the rights to all our beef,” said Ryan Wilson, a butcher at The Mercato. “We try to keep everything affordable and cater to everyone.”
Even though the price is about the same, some say local or grass-fed beef tastes better than grocery store beef.
DS Family Farms owner Doug Garrison said that’s because the cattle never have to leave the pasture to eat.
“Here, you’ll get the taste of the farm,” Garrison said. “A grocery store animal is probably going to come from a confined feeding operation where it’s formulated to a specific ration and all animals get the exact same ration every time.”
If the cattle are getting better nutrients, the cuts of meat will also have additional health benefits, Garrison said.
These benefits include higher amounts of vitamins and antioxidants, as well as a lower level of unhealthy saturated fats.
So next time it’s time to buy beef, consider supporting one of Lincoln’s butchers or farmers, and in turn, the local economy.
