What is good meat?

[H2Ohhh]

Re: What is good meat?

I can understand both sides on the Walmart issue, and I won't criticize anyone who shops there because I understand that -- for many of us -- it's the only game in town anymore.

Until last year, I lived in a large city and shopped at Whole Foods, Wild Oats, and local fish/meat/veggie shops. Not cheap, but worth it to me. Now I live in a small town where Walmart is the only place to get a lot of stuff. Yeah, the local places probably went out of business when Walmart moved in. When it's practical, I'll drive an hour to Trader Joes or whatever -- but when you need a head of broccoli, you go to Walmart.

Back to meat ... I think the meat at Walmart is very high quality and the ground beef appears to be packaged off-site, which I hear is safer because the conditions are more controlled. On the other hand, it comes from massive feedlots that might not be as sanitary as a local farmer's lot.

So I guess the point is, do the best you can with what you have. If it's worth it to you and convenient, get the organic free-range yada yada yada. But if the only places to shop are Walmart and Aldi, do what you can to get plenty of variety, eat FRESH foods, follow DANDR by the book, and be as healthy as you can be.

[Tired of Chub]

Re: What is good meat?

When I get the chance, I do shop at Whole Foods and Trader Joes. Do I buy meats there? no. I buy chicken sausages usually and buffalo (at TJS).
I try to buy meats from my local butchers whenever possible. All the meats are locally produced on a small scale and can be tied to a person, not a corporation. That said... flavor is phenomenal. I was raised on real beef/chicken etc. I expect meat to have flavor on its own, no additional spices needed (loved yes, but not needed). My local market carries Amish chickens. Last time I was there, they were waiting for the roasters to be brought in. They had run out, placed an order and the chickens were being processed immediatly. The birds were scratchingin the dirt that morning! Thats how fresh I want my meat to be.

My problem with Walmart meat- it has ZERO flavor. its mass produced and tastes like it. I gave them a chance a number of years ago. Bought red meat twice, bought pork twice and bought chicken twice. It was as flavorful as shoe leather. Mass prouduced meat has been raised with hormones, antibiotics among other things. Not something I want to eat on a semiregular basis.

[Isabeau]

Re: What is good meat?

"Good meat" to me, too, is certified organic and free range.

[Miss Phode]

Re: What is good meat?

My experience with supermarket meat is that a lot of times, the meat looks fresh, and then I cut into it (while raw) and it's brown inside, and has an off smell.

I stick with my local butcher now. I say if you don't have any problems with the meat your buying, no reason to change though.

[Momtofour]

Re: What is good meat?

I buy all my meat, veggies and fruit at my local meat market. I buy everything else at Walmart, Krogers, or Meijers. The meat tastes soooo much better from the butcher. Steaks, fish, and hamburger are things that I definately can taste a difference. Whenever I buy steak from the chain stores it is tough, no matter how much I pay. When I buy steak at the local butcher it is always moist, and very tender. I don't know if it is just fresher, better supplier, etc. but I know it is better meat. The butcher even runs better sales, so I'm saving money.

[staziaw]

Re: What is good meat?

My grandfather was a federal meat inspector for the USDA in Minneapolis ages ago. He would only let my mom buy beef from two places, both butchers, where he inspected the premises. He wouldn't let us buy meat in the grocery store! He said that we didn't want to know what went on there - particularly if you couldn't see the butchers' area. Blech!

When I moved to Los Angeles, I asked him what I should do, since obviously he wasn't inspecting out here -- he told me to go to a kosher butcher. I have ever since, and the meat is always delish! I also go to the Farmers' Market at 3rd and Fairfax to the poultry butcher and the fish shop. I've never been disappointed!

My two cents -
Stacy

[ciaobella]

Re: What is good meat?

Oh ho ho do I have real reasons for not shopping at walmart. yes yes I do but I don’t want to hog the thread so I’lll just quickly name three
1) their discrimination of women and just general discrimination polices
2) their HORRIFIC treatment of Employees and the absolute lack of benefits that are AFFORDABLE to their employees (if u offer a health care plan that the majority of ur employees can’t afford on the salary u pay them you are not giving ur employees benefits.)
3) The low wages –kinda goes onto 2
4) –ok I know I said three but these big chain stores that don’t give any profits to the little guy (ie employees ) while at the same time destroying some small local businesses as well as hurting some economies abroad doesn’t sit well in my stomach (forgive me Regan fans- but I do not have much faith in the trickle down effect….tho free trade is growing on me.)
as for this last one it’s kinda hypocritical as I do shop at target and the gap….my main issue w/walmart is their treatment of their employees and their overall view on women and minorities the last aspect just adds fuel to my fire

if u want links to Washington post/nytimes articles or of the LARGEST class action discrimination suite filed against wal-mart then I’ll be happy to pm them to you.

Also- I am not anti saving stores I think the idea is good I just think these stores need to be held accountable for their actions and they MUST treat their employees decently. I understand that profit is important to business and to the economy but a HUGE under employment rate doesn’t help anyone rich or poor. Plus it is morally disgusting.

And as for good meat---- if you get a large amount of meat at grocery store and then u can freeze some for later….thats what I end up doing.

[Heidi3]

Re: What is good meat?

Since no one is willing to give a reason, it almost sounds to me like people don't shop at Walmart because it's too popular and they're trying to be different. I'm having flashbacks to highschool... lol.

not hardly there is a teeeny weeeny bit more to it that that ..but again this is a thread about meat and not about the shady dealings of the Walmart corp issue.....

I actually agree completely with baby girl above

[fawn]

Re: What is good meat?

Choosing not to eat "feed lot beef" is certainly not a fad. There are a variety of reasons beginning with ingesting non-toxic healthy meats ending with the "quality of life" of the beef I consume.

Clear conscience for my family, for the animals, for the earth.

[Jeudrietr]

Re: What is good meat?

So it's nothing to do with the quality of meat; just the way the employees are treated? That's silly.

Thanks, everyone. Consider this board closed.