Food & Drink : Food :

Will Narragansett turkeys survive, Orwell they go extinct?

08.13.2008

Submitted by tmeronek on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 12:58am.
The Bite:
If we start a heritage foods revolution by eating 'em, they'll stick around (sounds crazy, but by creating a higher demand, it gives farmers more motivation to raise them). Go for meat from farms raising these select heritage breeds instead of conventional 'stock, and you'll help keep biodiversity alive. By, um...George, we think they've got it.
The Benefits: 
  • Benefits that aren't just allegorical fiction. Preserving heritage animals preserves biodiversity - and they may have beneficial genetics (disease resistance, climate adaptability) that more common breeds may not.
  • Saving species from total(itarian) extinction. Most livestock originate from just a few breeds. Example: Right now 75% of U.S. pigs come from three main breeds; about ten others are close to dying out.
  • More variety than your 10th-grade required reading. With heritage foods, you'll taste flavors you're not gonna find with conventional meats, which are bred for uniformity.
Personally Speaking: 
Thanks to the rich, almost ducklike flavor of the heritage turkey he bought for Thanksgiving last year, SF Local Bite Editor Mike had the best Thanksgiving leftover-turkey sandwiches ever.
Wanna Try: 
  • Schmancier grocery stores (such as Whole Foods) often let you know via signage whether a meat is heritage or not - or try asking your butcher.
  • Heritage Foods USA - order select heritage foods online (prices vary).
  • American Livestock Breeds Conservancy - find out which breeds are at risk.
  • Slow Food USA - nonprof dedicated to preserving biodiversity in our food.

Cocktail Fact

The CIA purchased the movie rights to Animal Farm from George Orwell's widow and covertly funded the 1954 animated version as anti-Communist propaganda.

Bang For The Bite

More diverse flavors aside, making space for heritage food on your plate helps keep diverse animal breeds around - but since they're rare, these meats are tougher to find and can cost a bit more too.

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xersa  on November 13, 2009 at 04:50 AM 1
Schmancier grocery stores (such as Whole Foods) often let you know via signage whether a meat is heritage or not - or try asking your butcher. games adventure games

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