Buy from a butcher, not the supermarket!

Choosing to use a butcher over a supermarket can have a significant impact on the quality of meat you consume. While supermarkets offer convenience, butchers provide a more personalized and knowledgeable service that can help you make informed decisions about the meat you purchase.

According to a recent article by Parson’s Nose, the quality of meat from a butcher is usually sourced from local farms, making the meat fresher and the journey from the farm to your plate considerably shorter. In contrast, supermarket meat is packaged in a factory and will sit on the shelf until someone buys it or the date runs out. With butcher’s meat, your meat will most likely be cut while you wait, or the butcher will have pre-prepared cuts that very morning. This level of freshness is hard to compete with ¹.

While you may pay more in a butchers vs a supermarket, you can rest assured that you are buying a higher quality of meat. As mentioned above, butchers are far more likely to stock fresher, locally sourced meat. As with many things, the higher the quality the higher the price. This being said, butchers are continually having to compete on price, so you should expect a reasonable price range depending on the quality and type of meat you select. For example, premium butchers in London will have a higher price than a butchers in your local supermarket. This should be expected and considered when making your choice of where to shop ¹.

In addition to the quality of meat, choosing a butcher over a supermarket can also have health benefits. According to Farmingdale Meat Market, butcher shops routinely offer higher grade (aka quality) meats. If you want to shop with intention, choosing healthier and more flavorful Prime, Choice, and Select cuts is often a much easier process at the butcher. Selection and variety at the supermarket is often limited at best. Whether you’re picking up meat that is cut fresh or pre-packaged, you can be sure that the quality of meat from a butcher is superior to that of a supermarket ².

Finally, shopping at a butcher’s shop can also be a more personal experience. When you go into a butcher’s shop, you are dealing with a group of people who are meat experts. They can offer you a knowledgeable and personal service, giving the best tips and tricks in the business from years (or in some cases generations) of experience, to allow you to get the best out of the cut. They may also be able to give you cheaper alternatives to other popular cuts if you are on a budget. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and look for deals at your local butchers. Supermarkets also offer friendly customer service from trained butchers, but standardized measures across stores mean that the service may not be personal ¹³.

In conclusion, choosing to use a butcher over a supermarket can have a significant impact on the quality of meat you consume. While supermarkets offer convenience, butchers provide a more personalized and knowledgeable service that can help you make informed decisions about the meat you purchase. The quality of meat from a butcher is usually sourced from local farms, making the meat fresher and the journey from the farm to your plate considerably shorter. Additionally, choosing a butcher over a supermarket can also have health benefits. Finally, shopping at a butcher’s shop can also be a more personal experience, allowing you to get the best out of the cut and ask questions to the meat experts