Cumbrian butchery Roast Mutton, based in Kendal, in the Lakes, has become the latest certified member of the Pasture for Life Association in the region.
What does that mean? Well Pasture For Life is an organisation which promotes British farmers who are committed to producing high quality food in a more natural and sustainable way.
So, meat and dairy products sourced from Pasture for Life certified farms are guaranteed to come from animals that have only ever eaten pasture and have been looked after extremely well. Pasture-fed livestock are given the freedom to express their normal behaviours, often living in family groups, feeding on a natural diet of pasture and forage such as hay in winter for their entire lives.
This careful attention to the animal’s diet receives positive feedback from consumers because it delivers exceptional taste, flavour, texture and tenderness and nutritionally there’s significant evidence that meat from grass fed animals is healthier for humans to eat too because it’s packed with a high percentage of good fats (omega-3s and CLAs) and beneficial antioxidant vitamins and minerals.
Handily grass-fed animals are better for the environment too because the process utilises local resources, rather than relying on imported soya or grains, which makes a whole lot of sense seeing as grass is the UK’s national crop but is often under-utilised. Which means there’s real potential to produce more food from Britain’s grassland, reducing the need to import feeds from abroad.
Grazing animals returns nutrients and organic matter back into the ground, ensuring the soil remains healthy and fertile. On top of that grassland helps capture and store carbon, so that less is released into the atmosphere. Pasture farmers sow legumes such as white and red clover, which help other grasses and plants grow without the need for chemical-based fertilisers. These pastures are alive with wildlife including many flowers, insects, birds and mammals.
Robert Unwin said: We’ve chosen to join the Pasture for Life Association because our aim is to run a butchery that works entirely with local free-range farms who’s passion and beliefs align with ours, so that we can guarantee the provenance of what we are selling. It’s hugely important to us to know that the meat we sell is always ethically reared with the emphasis being on quality, traceability and sustainability. Not only that we’re 100% committed to flying the flag for traditional native breeds, which is why we are extremely proud to be members of the Pasture for Life Association and celebrating and promoting 100% grass fed British meat.’’
