News Farmer launches new pork range
Pictured is local pig farmer Anna Longthorp-Oates with one of her free range pigs.
Possibly related articles
Farmers get vocal in support of pigs - A group of farmers have trotted out a ditty singing the praises of British [...]
Nomination for entrepreneur - An enterprising teenager has been nominated for a Local Food Heroes award. [...]
Cheeky pics a charity hit - The organisers behind the hugely-popular fundraising calendar which feature [...]
Junior football round-up - Under 12 Plate Competition Preliminary Round Howden Town 7 [...]
Also in News
War letter discovered - A poignant wartime letter from an ex-serviceman to his sister has been foun [...]
Gilberdyke will writing session - Messrs Heptonstalls Solicitors will be running a will-writing advice sessio [...]
Police uncover lost property - A red mountain bike and a red electric scooter are being held at Goole Poli [...]
Mischief Night prank vandals - A pensioner has condemned vandals who daubed paint on his garage and car. [...]
A Howden-based pig farmer is launching her own range of locally-produced free-range pork after spotting a gap in the market.
'Anna's Happy Trotters' is the new range from local farmer Anna Longthorp-Oates (25), whose family has reared pigs outdoors for more than 20 years. Anna now plans to put her vast experience to good use and oversee the entire process herself - all the way from farm to fork.
As consumers become increasingly aware of welfare issues, Anna firmly believes that locally produced, free range pork is the way forward: "People are taking more interest in where their food comes from, partly due to the influence of TV chefs like Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, and children are being taught about it in school," she said.
"There has already been a huge shift towards chicken that comes from free range and grain-fed birds because of the recent publicity about the conditions in which factory farmed chickens are reared.
"I think that it's important that people know where their food comes from and how it's produced; they need to be aware that much of the meat produced abroad won't meet the same high welfare standards that we believe are so important."
To ensure the best tasting meat possible, Anna uses a carefully selected mix of old and new breeds. The Landrace and Duroc cross sows produce pigs with low levels of back fat and meat that is blended to enhance the flavour and succulence, whilst the Maximus boar is a very muscular breed that gives lean meat and big chops.
The pigs on Anna's farm spend their days living outside in the fields, where they can wallow in mud to keep cool. They also have access to large tents so they can keep warm and dry in the cold weather.
Anna said: "Like hippos, pigs can't cool down by sweating. So, just like in the words of the old song, pigs love to 'wallow in glorious mud'! Whenever I get the chance, I love to head down to the fields to watch the pigs play around in the mud."
The high welfare standards and good quality of life that the pigs enjoy mean that they are slower-growing than indoor-reared pigs and this, teamed with the breed selection, results in a top quality, great tasting product.
Anna's Happy Trotters range is currently available from two local butchers - Rob Featherstone's in Howden and Gary Alden's in Hessle or at Hull Farmers' Market, where Anna regularly has a stall.
She also supplies meat to many local restaurants, including Joffcos at Holme-on-Spalding Moor, and hopes to make the Anna's Happy Trotters range available on the internet.
Published on 21st August 2008 in News.
Add to: Digg | del.icio.us | Reddit
Comments
There are currently no comments
Comment
All comments are subject to moderation (during normal office hours) and may be amended.
Email addresses are required for administration purposes only.
By contributing your comments, you accept our terms and conditions.