New Seasons Market Grass Fed Beef Non-sense! (Whole Foods Too!)

9/29/2012

Vegetarian Fed Beef = Grass Fed Beef? Wait, What???

New Seasons Market

I’m pissed. The last two times I’ve visited New Seasons Market to pick up some quality flesh (Grass Fed Beef) I have left empty-handed. I eat Paleo and depend on these organic markets to provide healthy food in an ethical way. I spend more money on quality foods because besides my conscience mind, my “body temple” is the one thing nobody can take from me while I am still breathing.

“Humanely raised, vegetarian fed and grown without the use of
antibiotics or growth hormones” is the advertisement I always see when I enter New Seasons Market for their “Country Natural Beef”.

“We’re not hurting the land; we’re working with it” claims Connie Hatfield from CNB. Hell yes, I am down with that. But hold on a minute I came here for grass fed beef...

I am 100% for preservation and happy cows (and dogs everywhere), however are we really getting the whole picture? While I know Country Natural Beef and New Seasons Market is definitely a step in the right direction, I’m not sure we are getting the entire story here.

I mentioned that New Seasons Market advertises their meat as “vegetarian fed”. They even rate the meat high, and on top of “vegetarian fed” they create an illusion that it is grass fed beef. However, if you ask about 100% grass fed beef you will be directed to a very small section of grass fed meat. The only grass fed beef at New Seasons is labeled as “Pasture-Raised Beef”. Sorry to tell you, but if you are not getting 100% grass fed beef, you might as well be purchasing your beef from Wal-Mart. But don't do that.

This is why I am pissed! I love 100% Grass Fed Ground Beef! What can I say? I ran out of my cow and now rely on stores like New Seasons or Whole Foods for my Grass Fed flesh. The last two times I’ve visited New Seasons they were completely out, and even tried to sell me the “Country Natural Beef”and gave me the pitch I’ve already heard numerous times.

Grass Fed Beef!

It goes something like; “The cows graze on grass their entire lives until the last three months. But unlike other grain fed cows, our farmers give them corn stalk and husks so it’s actually better than regular grain feed”-- Something along those lines. I am not sure if he is bullshitting me or actually believes that makes a difference, but look at this graph from EatWild. Not to mention I don't eat corn so why would I want my food eating corn?

Data; Journal Animal Science (1993) 71(8):2079-88

New Seasons claims that the cows are grass fed their entire lives until the last three months. That is 90 days. Even after just 30 days look at the Omega 3 fat content disappear. Tell that to the meat guy next time you are
at the store and hear that speech. See what he says. You know probably know more about the subject them him/her.

“Vegetarian Fed”, what does that even mean? Are other farmers feeding their cows chicken? Animal bi-products? Either way, if it isn’t grass, it's not their natural diet. Cows have a special department in their stomach that has evolved to digest GRASS, not corn or meat.

As Paleo eaters, we are very conscience of what we put into our bodies. We know that we are made from the food we consume, and the food that organism consumes (whether it be plants in soil or animals grazing grass). It’s just as important to feed our food healthy and appropriate foods as it is for us to eat healthy foods.

After ranting, I do feel better. I want to cut New Seasons Market a little bit of slack. After all, they do treat their cows better than most. It’s just irritating how they market the meat in a deceitful way. I like to think that in a world full of corruption and lies, New Seasons Market and Whole Foods are a reliable and responsible source for healthy food and even information for that food.

The Paleo diet is blasting through the lies and thankfully the truth is coming out. More and more people are learning about grass fed beef and how appropriate an evolutionary based diet can fit in with their lives.

As a Paleo dieter, you are already ahead of the game. Keep up the good work, eat healthy, and share your knowledge to your friends and family. In a world that is so easily connected, we can get this information out for a better tomorrow.

P.S. More information detailing why I love Grass Fed Beef coming soon (Health Benefits and Fuel for Building Lean Muscle! )

3 Comments

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6/23/2014 05:45:10 pm

I would like to thank you for your nicely written post, its informative and your writing style encouraged me to read it till end.

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2/25/2015 08:21:40 pm

I always see when I enter New Seasons Market for their “Country Natural Beef”.

Miles Mays

4/16/2015 01:10:12 am

New Season's market does have a 100% grass fed beef product available for sale in their stores. I believe it is labeled as Season's Peak Grass Fed Beef. The name "Season's Peak" is intentional. Most people don't know grass fed beef is actually a seasonal product much like some forms of seafood. Unfortunately for livestock producers the grass doesn't grow 365 days a year. In the Northwest, we have long winters where the grass is dormant and other forms of forage (grass and alfalfa hay for example) make up for the lack of green grass. Producing a 100% grass fed animal is actually very difficult for many reasons I won't get into here. But I can assure you that very few Livestock Producers have the ability or the resources to raise a 100% grass fed product. With that all said, New Season's has correctly realized that Grass finished beef is a seasonal product and therefore markets it as a seasonal product. Once the season for grass finished beef begins, you may consider buying enough product to get you through the entire year.

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