Butcher Charles Giunta shows us the difference between commercial (right) and sustainably raised (left) beef

Last night, I attended the "Nose to Tail" seminar at the Reading Terminal Market, presented by the CCEDC and PASA.

The subtitle was "Chefs and Farmers Share Methods for Getting the Most from Sustainably Raised Meats," and presenters included Charles Giunta of Giunta Meats at Reading Terminal Market, Michael McNally Chef/Owner of London Grill, Ian Moroney, Chef/Owner of Pumpkin Restaurant, Linda Geren, farmer from Highview Farms and Brooks Miller, farmer/salumeria maker from North Mountain Pastures farm. The event was moderated by local chef-author-consultant Aliza Green. 

Some other Grid favorites were in attendance, including Sue Miller of Birchrun Hills Farm and Paul Crivellaro of Country Time Farm.

Pictures after the jump. Not for the meat adverse.

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Keswick's Vermeer

UPDATE: From Paul Lawler: "Thanks for posting about Keswick Creamery/Carrock Farm but the situation has changed. 

Cheesemaker Melanie Dietrich Cochran emailed me last night to tell me to stop spreading the news. The family's lawyer realized that due to new changes in SEC law their Cheddar Notes scheme is illegal. So please pull the posts if you can. I will let you know as if another plan develops where those who want to help can direct their energies."

Last night, I received this email from Paul Lawler, an employee at the Fair Food Farmstand. He argues the case much more eloquently than I ever could, so I'll paste his message below:

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Frecon Farms, a Boyertown orchard profiled in Grid's PASA Insert, has launched the first in a series of online videos chronicling the 2010 growing season. Can't wait for those cherries!

It is exciting to see the trees coming to life as spring arrives. Here is what I had to say after visiting the orchard in January:

Just a few minutes up the road from the retail store are the orchards. Rows of trees stretch up a tremendous hill. From the top, you can see the neighboring farms and the expanse of the valley. There is something spectacular about an orchard in winter—rows of gnarled trees mustering their energies for a spring explosion. They are a sea of promise. In the storerooms, the fall’s harvest lies nestled in huge wood crates bearing the “Frecon” stamp. 

Mugs by Lyla KaplanMusic & Mugs, an event hosted by Kennett Flash in Kennett Square, features lots of things Grid readers love: local drinks, local snacks, local art and local music.

Use a handmade mug to sample beers from Victory Brewing Company while enjoying music from Hezekiah Jones, Chris Kapser, The Spinning Leaves and The Sisters Three. The ticket price also includes access to a spread of local cheeses from Highland Farm, Birchrun Hills Farm and Amazing Acres, as well as other light fare from Harvest Market Natural Foods. Proceeds benefit the Chester County Buy Fresh Buy Local program and the Chester County Food Bank (Formally the Gleaning Program).

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A couple weeks ago, Grid sent a contingent to the PASA Conference out in State College. Our trip was short and sweet (due to some sizable weather anxiety stemming from an incoming blizzard), but we did have the chance to talk to hosts of wonderful, passionate, ideologically engaged farmers, advocates and business people. I heard a lot of people talking about raw milk.

Now, I'm always looking for ways to make my eating habits more pretentious and confusing to my friends and family. Not really, but the more I learn, the further down that road I seem to be heading. I've gone from all natural to organic to sustainable to local. I lecture my mother about the upsides of pastured eggs, ask my brother to count the ingredients before he buys bread and grumble when friends suggest a drinking establishment that doesn't offer local brews.

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The digital version of March's Grid is up.

We're really excited about our latest installment. The issue features our inaugural House & Home package as well as a special 16-page insert, created in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture (PASA).
 
In Farmbook 2010 you'll meet inspiring PASA members working to bring delicious, local, sustainably-raised food to our community. Offering everything from artisanal cheese to heirloom seeds to seasonal produce, these farmers and businesses will have you rearranging your routine to buy local.
 
House & Home 2010: Noble Salvage highlights designers, artists, craftspeople and salvagers who work with reclaimed and reused material. Using what we already have is the greenest choice of all--and the work of these amazing locals proves that the results can be spectacular!

Hard copies of the magazine hit the streets this past weekend, so keep an eye out!