Supplier: Groff's Content Farm

Beautiful Groff's Content Farm represents retirement for Julie and Bob Bolton. I can't imagine what their previous careers looked like because they manage more balls in the air than anyone I've ever met. With delicious results! Thanks to their thoughtful and careful planning for innovative fodder and feed production they raise wonderful animals with great integrity.

From their website: "Groff’s Content Farm has been around for over 250 years. It was part of a royal land grant dating back to the 1750s. The farm is still the same 100 acres it was back then, which we find amazing. The name of the farm in 1752 was Groff’s Content. To respect the history of the farm, we chose to stick with the historical name.

"Visitors are always welcome to stop by to pick up meats and eggs. You are also welcome to stop by just to see the farm and say hello. We have an assortment of critters around just for fun. Please come for a visit. We do ask that you schedule your visit in advance seeing as we are usually outside around the farm working or at market." Trust me, they are always working. And we are so grateful to have them as another of our passionate suppliers. 

Supplier: D'Artagnan Foods

Poultry and meats from D'Artagnan Foods have for many years been the commodity I sought out for very special meals. If you knew where in Washington DC to shop you could find their delicious chickens, wonderful duck, pate and very special sausages. I considered their Green Circle Chicken to be the very best commercially produced bird available, comparable if not superior to any farm fresh chicken.

CEO of D'Artagnan Foods, Ariane Daguin.

When I began producing broth I had the mad idea of calling them, since their tasty birds would make tasty broth. To my great surprise, their sales rep was happy to explain the wonderful options available to me, thanks to their size and processing capability. Their philosophy of raising food animals is completely synonymous with that of Brainy Belly. From the D'Artagnan website: "We believe food raised right tastes better." 

Continuing from the website: "Before such buzz words existed, and for more than 30 years, D’Artagnan has been committed to free-range, natural production and sustainable, humane farming practices.

"We partner with small farms and ranches that have the strictest standards; to never use added antibiotics or hormones, and sign affidavits to that effect.

"We support these methods so that we can offer you the best-tasting, conscientiously-raised meat possible.

"We are passionate about quality from the farm to your fork, which is why our products hold pride of place in professional and home kitchens alike.

"We educate consumers about the importance of understanding and appreciating how food is raised and harvested."

They are a valuable partner, proudly sharing details of their excellent farming and processing methods as we have pursued certification by The Paleo Foundation and USDA Inspected Production. We are so grateful for their passion and partnership.

Supplier: Whiffletree Farm

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The Field and Main chef visits the Whiffletree Farm store.

Farmers work hard, but Jesse Straight at Whiffletree Farm takes it to a whole new level. Whiffletree Farm raises chickens, pigs and beef. Then they manage CSA deliveries, as well as weekly deliveries to restaurants, small neighborhood markets and a farm store. He has wonderful people helping, but even still, I have no idea how he does it. 

His chickens are delicious, and if we could continue to use them under our USDA Inspected production I would. Happily, his Wagyu Beef bones are USDA Inspected and continue to be the basis for our Beef Bone Broth. They are meaty and flavorful and produce wonderful broth with the same attributes.

Here is the website with so many options for local availability.

http://store.whiffletreefarmva.com/

Supplier: Dutch Meadow Organics

Dutch Meadows Organics is located in Paradise, Pennsylvania. They supply us with bones from grass fed beef and pasture raised chickens. I found them via the web so once we were talking about working together, I drove up on a Thursday to talk to Dave Stoltzfus at the PA Dutch Farmers of Wyomissing, where he has a butcher shop market stall. Dave radiates integrity, and his passion for his product is clear. He understood exactly what I was looking for and appreciated my efforts to bring properly made bone broth to market. 

The beef displayed in his case is just beautiful, there is really no other word for it. There's little or no of the fat marbling which you usually see proudly displayed by a butcher. Instead the meat is a beautiful fresh color, portions are generous and the prices are fair. And the taste is extraordinary. My family loves these meats and we've changed the minds of several friends who have eaten dinner with us. They felt that they didn't care for grass fed meats, until they tasted these.