Pork

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Pigs’ bad reputation as filthy animals was not earned by the pigs themselves, but by confinement farms that keep the pigs in filthy conditions. When allowed access to pastures they are rather clean animals (though who would deny them a good wallow in the mud on a hot day?), not to mention the addition of fallen fruits, seeds and roots to their diet makes the meat so much more flavorful. Look for heirloom species of pork at the market for pork with a delicious rustic flavor.

When purchasing organic pork, it’s important to understand the true meanings of the terms you find on the labels or on the farmer’s sign. Pigs are rarely “100% Grass-Fed” even if they are raised on pasture since pigs will usually be given a grain ration to supplement their foraging. A “natural” label applies more to the processing of the meat than to how the animal was raised. Only “USDA Certified Organic” applies to both how the animal is raised and how the meat is processed. Visit www.eco-labels.org for more information about the various meat labels.

When purchasing meat from a local producer, we recommend asking them some questions: Did the pig ever receive antibiotics in their feed or as a shot? Was it raised on pastures free from chemical pesticides and herbicides? Remember that small farms are not required to certify as USDA Organic unless they bring in a certain level of revenue, but they may still be using completely organic and humane animal practices. Having a relationship with your farmer is key to making informed meat purchasing decisions.

Purchasing an entire hog (or sharing the cost with others) is a good way to directly support a farmer without middlemen, and you’ll get a nice variety of cuts. A few places offer whole hog butchering and processing workshops, such as Driftless Folk School near Viroqua and Underground Food Collective in Madison.

Nutrition: Pork is a good source of protein and is often leaner than red meat. Cured or other prepared pork products often have high sodium contents, so watching meat serving sizes is always a good practice for your health.