The food industry in the US, specifically the animal farming industry is gaining infamy. In consumers’ opinion, animal farming has become synonymous with animal cruelty and truly so!

Farming factories focus on gaining maximum output while minimizing investment. Farmers cram animals into metal cages and crates and force them to breed.

This not only endangers animal rights but also raises concerns for our environment and perhaps our own health too.

So, how do we solve this issue? Is there any alternative to factory-farmed meat?

Yes, there is! The answer is 100% grass-fed meat.

Butcher Box is bringing 100% grass-fed beef, heritage breed pork and organic chicken to your doorstep.

“You are what you eat!”–this applies to a cow too! (tweet)

Grass-fed beef comes from cattle that graze on naturally grown grass and edible plants. What a cow eats has will have a major effect on the nutrient composition of its meat.

Unlike grain-fed animals, meat from grass-fed cattle is rich in nutrients and vitamins. It contains lower levels of ‘monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats’. As a result, the beef looks leaner and is healthier and tastier.

Watch Lindsay Chichester from University of Nebraska-Lincoln, explain the health and environmental benefits of consuming grass-fed beef:

This method of farming allows the farm animals to live a natural lifestyle.

Farmers allow calves to drink their mother’s milk and roam free. Farmers don’t inject them with hormones and antibiotics to increase the body mass.

This process is much less cruel than the regular factory farming.

Is grass-fed meat sustainable?

There are strong voices against the practice of animal agriculture altogether. Critics argue that animal agriculture consumes too many resources and generates carbon footprint. The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) estimated that 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions originate from raising livestock.

The fact that almost 70% of the world’s farms are used to grow grains for animal consumption and not human consumption, tells a lot about our land-use patterns. It points out that our current methods of raising livestock largely on grains are extremely inefficient and unsustainable.

Grass-fed beef is different since it is fed on grass, not grains.

A study conducted by the Michigan state revealed that cattle grazing results in carbon sequestration and a buildup of soil biomass. This will not only increase soil carbon levels but also aid in water infiltration rate and soil microbe levels.

Yet, only 1% of the total beef consumed in the United States is 100% grass-fed. The reason isn’t lack of resources but lack of awareness.

The Startup Story

Michael Salguero faced the same problem when he decided to start eating healthy.

There were very few stores selling natural, healthy meat. He also noticed that many meat-lovers are unaware of the health hazards involved in consuming hormone-infested meat. Even if they were aware of it, they didn’t know where to buy “healthier” meat. There was a clear gap between demand for healthy meat and its supply.

Salguero understood that by sourcing high-quality meat directly from farmers and delivering it to consumers, he can meet the demand for natural meat. That’s how Butcher Box was born in June 2015.

The startup faced many hurdles in the beginning. The major problem was shipping the meat to customers. It was a huge task to procure 100 percent natural grass-fed beef and to package it with dry ice in order to keep the meat fresh in transit.

Things took a turn when Salguero sent a LinkedIn message to Ron Eike, the former head of operations for Omaha Steaks.

Eike was the perfect fit as he took care of the delivery portion of the business. Together, they found a facility in Wisconsin to take care of the packing and shipping part. They also partnered with few brands that fit into the meat-delivery target market.

Things started to fall in place!

With these partners and one employee, Salguero launched a Kickstarter campaign, raising $210,203 through crowdfunding.

The Crowdfunding helped the startup expand to 48 states in the US.

Butcher Box delivers $129 boxes of all-natural, dinner-ready meat with 8 to 10 pounds of meat inside. All customers need to do is choose from a curated mix of meat or customize their own.

More healthy eating options!

Butcher Box dedicated themselves to make it easier to eat healthier. They are constantly tackling real problems in the food and health industry. Their new mantra–healthy breakfast smoothies!

Butcher Box released its new product–Smoothie Box, aimed at providing nutritious and affordable breakfast smoothies. The startup delivers pre-packaged frozen smoothies made of natural fruits and vegetables. These smoothies are free from sugars and artificial sweeteners. You can accommodate them in various diet regimes.

As consumers, it is important that we understand the supply chain of brands we buy from.

It is our duty to ensure our favorite brands aren’t ecological hazards. (tweet)

As for grass-fed meat, you won’t find the toxins, steroids, and fats that are generally present in factory-farmed meat. What you gain is nutritious meat from animals raised in a natural setting, under environmentally and ethically sustainable farming methods.

By switching to 100 percent grass-fed meat, you will not only gain the nutrients that are missing in a strict vegan diet but also support animal-friendly farming.

Pick wisely, your choice makes a difference!