Celebrating beef month with local meat

The Greenfield Recorder. May 6, 2020, Staff Report

Because social distancing has become an important step towards keeping society healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic, many consumers have made changes to cooking at home. As May is known as beef month, the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation reminds consumers to purchase their beef locally.

In Franklin County and the North Quabbin region, local beef producers include Wheel-View Farm in Shelburne and Adams Farm Slaughterhouse in Athol Brian Kleeberg’s operation in Greenfield, among others.

“The 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture indicates that there are 879 beef cattle operations in Massachusetts with 6,920 head,” said Mark Amato, president of the farm bureau. “This product is available to consumers as farmers adapt their businesses for social distancing and take measures to ensure the safety of consumers and their employees.”

Many farmers have created new ways to purchase directly from them including curbside pick up or home delivery. Check farm websites or contact them directly to see about the best option and if their hours have changed.

“It is remarkable to see how the farming community has risen to the occasion and is working to provide consumers with local food while keeping everyone as safe as possible,” Amato said. “The creative solutions we have seen to COVID-19 and keeping the local food supply accessible has been impressive.”

To find local beef producers near you, visit: w w w.n e b p i .o r g /n o r t h e a s tbeef- directory/where-to-buy The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation is a Marlborough- based non-profit organization representing nearly 6,000 family members across the state. The burea is an advocate for farmers, run by farmer members who develop policies through its grassroots process.

For more information on the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation, visit mfbf.net.