If you care about where your meat comes from and how the animals are raised, but aren‘t quite ready to go vegan, Grass Roots Farmers‘ Cooperative offers an ideal middle ground. This innovative meat delivery service is on a mission to provide healthy, high-quality, humanely-raised meats while supporting small family farms.
Through their convenient app, you can see exactly how the animals were raised, what they were fed, and when they were harvested before the meat arrives at your doorstep. It‘s an unprecedented level of transparency that sets a new standard for the industry.
I had the chance to try a variety of Grass Roots‘ most popular products, dig into their practices and values, and analyze feedback from other customers. Here‘s my honest, in-depth review of this game-changing meat purveyor.
Overview of Grass Roots Farmers‘ Cooperative
Grass Roots was founded in 2014 by Cody Hopkins, a former U.S. Army Ranger, to connect customers with sustainably produced meats from small-scale, family-run farms in the Midwest. The Arkansas-based cooperative has grown to partner with two dozen farms that all adhere to strict standards for animal welfare, environmental stewardship, and fair labor practices.
Through an innovative tagging system and app, Grass Roots provides complete transparency into every animal‘s life cycle, from birth to processing. Customers can see photos of the farms, how the animals are living, and detailed info on feed and husbandry methods.
This revolutionary approach has earned Grass Roots coverage in Food & Wine, Bon Appétit, and on the Today Show. They‘ve also amassed over 55K followers on Instagram who covet their mouthwatering photos as much as their ethics.
What Makes Grass Roots Different
Plenty of other meat delivery services claim to work with family farms or offer grass-fed beef. But Grass Roots takes transparency to a whole new level to back up those claims.
For starters, all of their beef is 100% grass-fed AND grass-finished – no grains, ever. The cattle graze on open pastures, as they were meant to. This not only produces healthier, leaner, more flavorful meat but is better for the environment too. Rotational grazing helps regenerate the soil and increase biodiversity.
The same goes for their lamb, which is completely grass-fed, and their chickens and turkeys which are raised on pasture. You‘ll never find "vegetarian-fed" claims here. The birds eat a natural omnivorous diet including bugs and grubs they find in the grass.
But perhaps most unique is their "forested pork." The pigs roam in the woods where they can engage in natural behaviors like rooting, foraging for acorns and napping in the shade. It‘s a far cry from a cramped, concrete confinement barn.
All of the animals live as close to "wild" as possible, with room to run, play, socialize, and exhibit their instinctive behaviors. They‘re never given GMOs, hormones, or sub-therapeutic antibiotics either.
Grass Roots works hard to go above and beyond the standard for industry certifications. All of their processing is done in small-scale, USDA-inspected facilities with meticulous safety and sanitation practices. And they ensure all workers, from farm laborers to warehouse staff, are treated fairly and paid a living wage.
When you buy from Grass Roots, you can feel good knowing your money supports independent family farms, humane animal husbandry, and more resilient local food chains. Now let‘s dig into how their products actually taste!
Grass Roots Beef Review
I sampled a few of Grass Roots‘ most popular beef items: their pre-formed hamburger patties and a flank steak. The difference in taste and texture compared to conventional supermarket beef was remarkable.
The burgers, which come in 1 to 1.25 lb packs, had a clean beefy flavor and no greasy residue. You can really taste the grass-fed difference. They‘re pre-formed for convenience but with no additives or fillers – just 100% meat.
The flank steak, available in 1 to 1.5 lb packs for $23, was another standout. It had a robust, almost nutty flavor with a firm but tender texture. This cut is ideal for marinating and grilling for fajitas or a London broil.
Grass Roots also offers tons of other beef options including ground beef, roasts, filet mignon, sirloin, ribs, organ meats, bones, and even ready-made soups and bone broth.
Grass Roots Pork Review
Grass Roots forested pork is definitely a cut above the rest. The meat has an incredibly rich flavor and silky texture you simply won‘t find in the lean, pale "other white meat" at the supermarket.
I tried their bacon, which they cure simply with salt and a bit of cane sugar and celery powder – no artificial nitrates or liquid smoke. The slices crisped up perfectly and had an ideal salty/sweet balance.
The boneless pork chops, cut from the loin, were juicy, flavorful and exceptionally tender for such a lean cut. Searing them quickly over high heat locks in the juices.
You‘ll also find ribs, pork belly, ground pork, sausages, ham, and tons of other specialty cuts in Grass Roots‘ pork selection.
Grass Roots Poultry Review
Grass Roots chickens and turkeys live outside with room to roam and flap their wings. You can really taste the difference this makes, even in mild-flavored cuts like breast meat.
The chicken drumsticks had a deep golden color and clean chicken flavor. Brining them first in saltwater ensures juicy results. I also loved the boneless skinless chicken breast tenders, which were succulent and flavorful even without the skin. They absorbed marinades well for skewers and stir-fries.
In addition to whole chickens, wings, thighs, and breasts, Grass Roots also offers whole turkeys (perfect for the holidays), turkey breasts, wings, drumsticks, and ground turkey.
Grass Roots Lamb Review
Grass Roots sources its grass-fed lamb from independent family ranches. The animals spend their lives grazing on open green pastures, which yields a delicate, less gamey flavor and meat that‘s lower in fat and calories than grain-finished lamb.
I tried the Frenched rack of lamb, which is a real showstopper. It‘s hand-cut and trimmed by their skilled Arkansas butchers. Rubbing it simply with olive oil, garlic and rosemary and roasting it to medium-rare made for a restaurant-quality meal.
The lamb sirloin chops, cut from the leg, were also fantastic. They‘re thinly sliced and cook quickly on the grill or under the broiler. Pair them with mint chimichurri or a tangy yogurt sauce.
Who Should Try Grass Roots
Grass Roots is ideal for conscious consumers who want to feel good about the meat they eat and the businesses they support. The exceptional transparency into the farms and animals takes the guesswork out of choosing healthy, humanely raised products.
If you‘re looking to switch to a cleaner protein source but aren‘t ready to give up meat entirely, Grass Roots offers an excellent middle ground between conventional factory farming and veganism. You can enjoy nutritious meats knowing the animals lived good lives and the farmers who raised them were fairly compensated.
Grass Roots is also great for serious home cooks and foodies. The flavor and quality of the meat is a cut above what you‘ll find in most supermarkets. Having a variety of specialty cuts on hand also allows you to expand your culinary repertoire and wow dinner guests with an impressive spread.
Families will appreciate the convenience of having high-quality, ethically-sourced proteins delivered to their door, taking the hassle out of grocery shopping and meal planning. And if you‘re a conscious athlete, such as a runner or CrossFit enthusiast, the lean, pasture-raised meats provide an excellent natural protein source to support your training.
Customer Reviews of Grass Roots
Grass Roots products have overwhelmingly positive reviews on their site, with most items averaging over 4.5 stars. Customers frequently comment on the exceptional taste, perfect portion sizes, and "unbelievably tender" texture.
Reviewers also appreciate the transparent sourcing and that they can "actually feel good" about what they‘re eating and feeding their families. Several reviews mentioned that Grass Roots allowed them to continue enjoying meat with a clear conscience.
In terms of customer service, reviewers report a seamless ordering process, reliable deliveries, and friendly, prompt support when issues arise. A few people noted that they‘ve experienced delays due to FedEx, but that Grass Roots‘ customer service "bent over backwards" to resolve the problems.
The only criticism was the premium price point compared to conventional meats. However, nearly all reviewers agreed the taste, quality, and peace of mind is well worth the extra cost. As one customer put it: "You get what you pay for!"
Is Grass Roots Worth It?
After tasting the products, speaking with the Grass Roots team, and hearing from other customers, I confidently recommend Grass Roots Farmers‘ Cooperative. While the prices are higher than what you‘d pay at a supermarket, the difference in taste and quality is noticeable. And when you factor in the ethical sourcing and humane standards, it‘s money well spent.
Investing in Grass Roots meats is an investment in your health, the environment, animal welfare, and independent family farms. It‘s a purchase you can feel good about. If you‘ve been on the fence about switching to pasture-raised meats, Grass Roots makes it easy and delicious.
Their unconventional level of transparency also takes the guesswork out of navigating misleading labeling claims. You can actually see how your meat was raised before you buy.
While the prices may give some consumers sticker shock, Grass Roots offers plenty of ways to save. New customers get $15 off their first order, and they frequently run specials around holidays. Their membership program allows you to rack up points to earn rewards and special discounts. You can also trim costs by choosing cheaper, more flavorful cuts like chicken legs instead of boneless breasts.
Overall, if you want to enjoy meat responsibly, support ethical farming practices, and explore new flavors and cuts, I highly recommend giving Grass Roots a try.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Grass Roots meat shipped?
Your order will arrive frozen in an insulated, biodegradable container packed with dry ice. Even if the meat is partially thawed when it arrives, it‘s still safe to cook or refreeze.
Where does Grass Roots deliver?
Grass Roots currently ships to all lower 48 U.S. states. They do not deliver to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally at this time.
How long does shipping take?
Depending on your location, you can expect to receive your order within 2-7 business days. Free shipping is available on orders over $120, otherwise a flat $5 shipping fee applies.
What is Grass Roots refund/return policy?
Due to the perishable nature of the products, Grass Roots does not accept returns. However, if you receive damaged or missing items, or are unsatisfied with the quality, you can contact their customer support within 30 days for a refund or replacement.
Are Grass Roots‘ animals organic?
While Grass Roots is not currently USDA certified organic, they follow organic practices on all of their farms. The animals are never exposed to pesticides, herbicides, GMOs, or other synthetic chemicals. Pursuing organic certification is on their roadmap for the future.
How do I contact Grass Roots?
The best way to reach Grass Roots is via email at [email protected] or by phone at (501) 613-0184. Their customer service team is responsive and eager to help.
This review is based on the author‘s personal experience. Your opinion may vary. The author was not compensated for this review, however Grass Roots did provide product samples. All prices and promotions are subject to change.
