Pasture Raised Pork
At Wheelbarrow Farm we raise heritage breeds of pig on semi-forested pasture. As opposed to conventional factory farming, pasture lets animals move about freely, contribute to soil fertility, take in the beneficial micro-nutrients available in dirt, and offer an ecological solution to controlling weed and pest populations. In the fall, we place fencing around the year's vegetable gardens and have the pigs clean up any leftover veggies and weeds.
Raised in a factory, however, pigs are unable to contribute their full potential. Manure is treated a waste product. Body warmth is treated as a waste product. Their incredible ability to dig and make use of almost any food source is wasted. Finally, their capacity to have fun and enjoy life is checked. Ask anyone who has raised pigs on pasture, and they will tell you the importance of providing a natural and diverse environment for health and peace within the herd. A boxed in and bored pig is an aggressive pig. Pigs have been an important part of human agriculture and we owe them a chance to roll in the mud, bask in the sun and have a decent life!
Support Genetic Diversity – Buy Heritage Pork
There was a time not that long ago when farmers had at least a few heritage pigs on their farm. Today, with the streamlining of the pork industry, genetic diversity in pigs has been reduced to a few, fast-growing breeds suitable for factory farming, leaving the continuation of heritage breeds in the hands of fewer and fewer farmers. There is no resilience in a narrow genetic pool of heavily medicated pigs. This way of farming leaves our global pork industry vulnerable to disease and collapse, putting in jeopardy our food source and our health. (see article on swine flu and factory farming)
We raise a mixture of Berkshire and Hampshire heritage breeds that are healthier and tastier than the pigs raised in factories today. Berkshires are known for their intermuscular fat which brings flavour into the meat. Hampshires are incredibly slow growing and develop a natural pork taste. They are also very hardy and can take most anything nature throws at them. As such, we have no need for anti-biotics or hormones.
It might sound paradoxical, but the best way to ensure the continuity of heritage pigs on our farms is by putting heritage pork on our tables. There is no reason for a farmer to raise heritage pigs if he or she doesn't have a market for their meat. I believe that creating a more equitable and sustainable food economy will take more work than just shopping differently. That being said, buying heritage meat is an effective, enjoyable and TASTY way of contributing to a better local food economy.
Pricing
We try and balance affordability with a decent wage for our labour. At these prices, I make $6/hr for my labour in raising the pigs. When I tell this to customers, they usually frown and say, “I'm sorry”. When I tell this to other pig farmers, they grin and say, “congratulations!” Such is the pork industry. Prices have been set at the minimum of what I'm willing to accept. If you would like to pay more, ain't nobody gonna stop you :)
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Price per pound |
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$5.75 |
1/2 pig, Farm pick-up |
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$6.00 |
1/4 pig, Farm pick-up 1/2 pig, Toronto delivery |
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$6.25 |
10-20lbs, Farm pick-up 1/4 pig, Toronto delivery |
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$6.50 |
20 lbs mixed pork, Toronto delivery |
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$6.75 |
10 lbs mixed pork, Toronto delivery |