Wild game meat, grass-fed, organic, etc.

[maxmillan]

Is there a place one can recommend in Vancouver, Burnaby, or North Vancouver where I can get wild game meat , grass-fed, pasture raised beef, pork, lamb, etc.? I'm tryng to avoid antibiotics, hormones, toxines, graines, etc. as this is an emphasis with the primal/paleo lifestyle.

I know it is expensive and hope someone can point out a place where I can get a good price. I know there is Pasture to Plate on Commercial drive which I plan to visit soon.

I've shopped at Wheelhouse on East Hastings but their beef is grass-fed and grain finished (trying to avoid grains) I've also bought bison ground beef but not sure how it has been raised.

I am willing to do mail order if it's cheaper.

I've never cooked wild meat so an informative butcher would be helpful.

I'm not particular about the meats being local, as long as the butcher is knowledgeable and the price is right.

I apologize if this has been discussed in a previous thread. Not sure how to refine the search tool.

[geekmom]

Sebastian & Co in Dundarave -- all his meat is organic, he uses only grass-fed beef which he ages himself, and he has a very interesting selection of non-standard meats like buffalo, ostrich, etc. I buy nearly all my meat there, driving from Burnaby every couple of weeks. If you call ahead they will make sure they have what you're looking for, and if you don't see something in the case you can ask.

The prices are high compared to conventionally farmed supermarket meat, but I can't say enough about the quality of Sebastian's products and the excellent service from his staff who are extremely knowledgeable about their products, how to prepare and cook them. Sebastian himself is a former chef so he really understands how to get the most out of a high quality piece of meat.

[maxmillan]

Thanks! I will check them out.

[jmil]

You could try Westlynn Meats in Lynn Valley shopping centre.
They offer organic grass fed meats.

[grayelf]

http://www.vanmag.com/retailer/Pastur...

This place looks promising...

[maxmillan]

I've bought some beef bones from the frozen section and when I brought them home there was no marrow! What's the point of making stock without the marrow? I was peeved about this but I will buy their meats and stock.

[jcolvin]

FYI it is impossible (illegal) to buy "wild" game meat. Hunters are not allowed to sell it, nor are first nations (supposed) to. Any bison, elk, deer, goose etc that you can buy in a store or restaurant has been farmed (raised). Not that there is really much difference between a deer that has been farmed and has been running around an enclosed pasture than one that has been running free, but technically it is not "wild". About the only wild food animals that you can legally purchase are fish/seafood. Otherwise befriend a hunter :).

Bison, venison and elk are all very low fat compared to regular beef, and dry or toughen easily. Braises, stews or steaks cooked rare to medium rare are the way to go. Personally I love elk and moose.

[maxmillan]

Thanks for the tidbit on wild versus farmed. I guess I meant meat other than the typical beef and pork. I have some frozen venison in my freezer so I guess I'll make something in a crock pot to keep it moist.

I've discovered that I can join a CFS program to get locally caught seafood. I'm so excited!

[geekmom]

Is that Skipper Otto's? We've been members for three years and have been very happy with their fish. I love the idea of helping to keep a small group of family-owned fishing boats at work with this CSF program. They have a prairie program where they bring frozen fish products to Regina and Calgary, and then they drive back with their freezers full of the most enormous, flavourful Hutterite chickens for their Vancouver members to enjoy at a very reasonable price.

[waver]

Those chickens are amazing (and ginormous).

[maxmillan]

Yes, I like to support local and sustainable businesses. Thanks for the info about their chicken. I will most definitely have to try it.

[maxmillan]

I noticed that Coscto has grass fed beef and bison. Anyone tried it? They're having a special online just till the end of this weekend.

[reiney]

The Honest Butcher on Broadway in Kits is an evangelist (the good kind) when it comes to this sort of thing and will certainly be able to help you on the beef/pork/lamb side. He may be able to point you in the right direction regarding bison, venison & the like. None of his beef is grain finished (except for perhaps 1 month out of the year when it's just impossible to graze on grass but he'll be very open about that).

Big Lou's Butcher shop in Railtown gets their stuff from Two Rivers. The Honest Butcher gets it straight from the farm/ranch and breaks down the carcass on premise.

[peter.v]

Hills Foods in Coquitlam is one of the regular suppliers of game in town. Also, probably worth contacting Two Rivers Meats to see if you can get some of their products around town. They have excellent product sourcing and knowledge, but as far as I know are only wholesalers.