Looking for pasture-raised chicken of quality standards in Houston is one of those activities which is the most rewarding a healthy eater and green living enthusiast can undertake. With a thriving agricultural scene, Houston presents endless opportunities for sourcing the best pasture-raised chicken. Here are ten secrets for finding the best pasture-raised chicken in Houston.
1. Local Farmers Markets
Visiting the farmers markets is one of the best ways to find pasture-raised chicken here in Houston. Most of the markets normally have people selling chickens raised on pasture actually free to forage. Farmers’ markets are very good places where a customer can meet the farmer, discuss how he does his farming, and know whether the chicken is actually pasture-raised or not. Some of the most well-known farmers’ markets in Houston include the Urban Harvest Farmers Market, Rice Village Farmers Market, and the Heights Mercantile Farmers Market.
2. Spend a Day at a Local Farm
Many farms in and around Houston raise pasture-raised chicken. One can visit these farms to get a firsthand feel of how these birds are being brought up. Yonder Way Farm is one such farm, while Jolie Vue Farms are another in this region producing pasture-raised poultry. Normally, their facilities are open to visitors and provide tours while explaining their methods of sustainable farming. You could go to these farms to check personally that the chickens are raised in a humane and natural environment.
3. Online Directories
Online directories and websites on sustainable agriculture are rich sources in finding pasture-raised chicken in Houston. Websites such as EatWild, LocalHarvest, and FarmMatch list farms and producers offering pasture-raised poultry. Most of these directories provide information detailing the exact methods of farming, locations, and contact details of the farms. Online resources such as these could point out farms you might otherwise not come across.
4. Locate Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs
One good way to have a constant supply of pasture-raised chicken in Houston is through Community Supported Agriculture, also referred to as CSAs. Subscribing to an offer of a local CSA provides you with the freshest possible produce and pasture-raised meat from local farms. Most of these options are offered as CSA memberships that would sell pasture-raised chicken. This would ensure that you get high-quality and ethically reared poultry while supporting local farmers.
5. Local Co-ops
Food cooperatives, or co-ops, are member-owned and operated for sourcing and selling locally grown and produced food. Sometimes, joining a local co-op will get you an avenue for pasture-raised chicken and other sustainable products. Co-ops in Houston, such as Houston Cooperative Grocery and Central City Co-Op, generally sell products from local farms raising pasture-raised chicken. Getting involved with a co-op also connects consumers with a community of like-minded people who care about good, clean, and fair food.
6. Attend Agricultural Fairs and Events
You will meet the local farmers and producers who are engaged in raising pasture-raised chickens in your area from such events. Events like the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the county fairs, and sustainable conferences generally have displays and booths run by various farmers. This has been a platform for farmers to be able to offer their produce to different members of the public while disseminating information about the raising process. Such attendance will help one in creating relationships with local farmers and learning from them about pasture-raised poultry.
7. Social Media and Online Forums
Online forums and social media groups can be one of the best ways to search for pasture-raised chicken in Houston. Join local Facebook groups;_CONST_ communities on Reddit related to Houston agricultural happenings can give leads on where to find pasture-raised chicken. These platforms allow one to connect with other consumers who have the same interest in ethically raised poultry and hence can recommend based on experience.
8. Specialty Grocery Stores
Specialty grocery stores focused on organics and sustainability often have pasture-raised chicken in stock. In Houston, some stores to explore for pasture-raised poultry from local farms are Whole Foods Market, Central Market, and Sprouts Farmers Market. Normally, corridors of the prior stores uphold rigid standards, wherein chickens must be treated with humane and environmentally-friendly means. Therefore, this may become an easy avenue leading you to high-quality pasture-raised chicken.
9. Seek Certifications and Labels
When sourcing pasture-raised chicken in Houston, seek certifications or labels which give an assurance of humane and sustainable practices in their farming. Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Humane, and USDA Organic are some of the labels that ensure that the chickens have been raised on pasture with high welfare standards. It will help in making sure you make informed choices and buy real pasture-raised chicken by checking these labels on chicken products from farmers’ markets, local farms, and grocery stores.
10. Forge Relationships with Local Farmers
One of the best ways through which you can comprehensively source pasture-raised chicken in Houston is by building relationships with these local farmers. By building a personal relationship with these farmers, you can learn from them about their farming practices or demand special products or recommendations. Loyal customer service is often valued by most farmers, and they may extend special prices or even give a better headsup regarding product availability. Building relationships with knowledgeable growers can also give you peace of mind about exactly where your food is sourced and how it is being produced.
Conclusion
While Houston has a large agricultural community and citizens committed to sustainability, it contains a host of resources that could make the pursuit of a much healthier life much easier. One can consistently find pasture-raised chicken of high quality through farmers’ markets, local visiting farms, online directories, CSAs and co-ops, at agricultural events, through social media, dedicated shops, with certifications, or basically by becoming friends with some farmers. These strategies will give you the chance to be helping local farmers but ensure you and your family enjoy wholesome, ethically raised poultry.
