Hey there, food lover! If you‘re anything like me, you‘re always on the hunt for the best ingredients to elevate your home cooking. And when it comes to meat, quality is everything. That‘s why I was thrilled to discover truLocal – a meat subscription service that delivers premium, locally sourced proteins right to your doorstep.
As someone who has tried countless meat delivery services and specialty butchers, I have to say: truLocal stands out from the pack. In this comprehensive review, I‘ll be sharing my honest experience with the brand and why I believe it‘s a game-changer for meat lovers everywhere.
What Is truLocal?
Before we dive into the juicy details, let‘s start with the basics. truLocal is a Canadian company that was founded in 2016 by Marc Lafleur and Greg Quaile, two friends with a shared passion for supporting local farmers and providing consumers with exceptional meat.
The concept is simple: truLocal partners with ethical farms, butchers, and fisheries across Canada to curate boxes of high-quality, locally raised meats that are delivered to customers‘ homes on a recurring basis. By working directly with small-scale producers, truLocal is able to offer a wide variety of premium cuts that you won‘t find at your average grocery store.
One of the things that sets truLocal apart is their commitment to transparency. For each product, you can view detailed information about the farm or producer, including their location, practices, and story. As someone who cares deeply about where my food comes from, I really appreciate being able to connect with the people behind the meats I‘m eating.
The Quality of truLocal‘s Meats
Now, let‘s get to the meat of the matter (pun intended). I‘ve tried a LOT of meat delivery services over the years, and I can say with confidence that truLocal‘s products are some of the best I‘ve ever tasted.
Take their grass-fed ribeye steak, for example. The marbling was absolutely gorgeous, with thin ribbons of fat running throughout the deep red flesh. When I cooked it up on the grill, it developed a perfect crust while staying juicy and tender on the inside. The flavor was rich and complex, with a slightly nutty, almost buttery undertone that you just don‘t get with conventional grain-fed beef.
I was equally impressed with truLocal‘s pork chops, which were thick-cut and wonderfully marbled. They had a clean, natural taste that reminded me of the pork I ate growing up on my grandparents‘ farm. No weird "off" flavors or textures – just pure, delicious pork.
And don‘t even get me started on the chicken. As someone who has raised backyard chickens, I know what truly fresh poultry tastes like. truLocal‘s organic chicken breasts were plump, juicy, and bursting with flavor. They had a firm texture that held up well to cooking, and a natural sweetness that put grocery store chicken to shame.
But it‘s not just the taste of truLocal‘s meats that sets them apart – it‘s also the way they‘re raised. All of the animals are humanely treated and allowed to engage in their natural behaviors, whether that means grazing on open pastures or rooting in the forest. As a result, the meats are not only more delicious, but also more nutritious.
Studies have shown that grass-fed beef, for example, has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and antioxidants compared to grain-fed beef. Similarly, pasture-raised pork and poultry have been found to have more favorable fat profiles and higher levels of vitamins and minerals.
By choosing truLocal, you‘re not only getting the best possible flavor – you‘re also getting meats that are better for your body and the planet. That‘s something I can feel good about as a conscious consumer.
The truLocal Experience
Of course, taste is just one piece of the puzzle. For me, the true test of a meat delivery service is the overall experience – from browsing the website to cooking up the final product. And in that regard, truLocal truly shines.
The website is clean, user-friendly, and packed with helpful information. I love being able to read the stories behind each producer and see photos of the animals and farms. It really brings the whole "farm-to-table" concept to life in a way that feels authentic and transparent.
Customizing my box was a breeze, with a wide variety of cuts and quantities to choose from. I appreciated being able to mix and match different meats to suit my tastes and meal plans for the month. And with two box sizes and multiple delivery frequencies available, it was easy to find an option that worked for my lifestyle and budget.
One of the things I was most impressed with was the packaging. Each box arrived with plenty of dry ice to keep the meats frozen solid, and the individual cuts were vacuum-sealed for freshness. I had no issues with leakage or spoilage, even when my box was delayed by a day due to a shipping snafu.
But what really blew me away was the customer service. When I had a question about one of the cuts in my box, I was able to get in touch with a real person within minutes – not some automated chat bot. The representative was friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely interested in making sure I had a positive experience with truLocal.
It‘s those little touches – the handwritten notes, the prompt responses, the sense of community – that really set truLocal apart from other meat delivery services I‘ve tried. It‘s clear that this is a company that cares deeply about its customers and is willing to go above and beyond to ensure their satisfaction.
Is truLocal Worth It?
At this point, you might be wondering: "Okay, but is truLocal actually worth the money?" And I get it – premium meat isn‘t cheap, and a subscription service can feel like a big commitment.
But here‘s the thing: when it comes to something as fundamental as the food we put into our bodies, I believe quality is worth paying for. And in my experience, truLocal delivers on that promise of quality in spades.
Yes, the prices are higher than what you‘d pay at a conventional grocery store. But when you factor in the convenience, variety, and sheer deliciousness of truLocal‘s meats, I think it‘s a worthwhile investment.
For me personally, truLocal has completely transformed the way I cook and entertain. No longer do I have to settle for bland, mystery-meat dinners or make last-minute trips to the store for a decent steak. With truLocal, I always have a selection of high-quality proteins on hand, ready to be turned into a restaurant-worthy meal at a moment‘s notice.
It‘s also worth noting that truLocal offers a referral program and gift options, which can help offset the cost of a subscription. And with the ability to pause, skip, or cancel at any time, there‘s really no risk in giving it a try.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, only you can decide if truLocal is right for you. But if you value quality, convenience, and supporting local farmers, I can‘t recommend this service highly enough.
For me, truLocal has become an indispensable part of my foodie lifestyle. It‘s allowed me to explore new cuts and flavors, connect with the people behind my food, and elevate my everyday meals to something truly special.
Whether I‘m grilling up a juicy grass-fed steak for a backyard barbecue or slow-roasting a heritage pork shoulder for Sunday supper, I know I can count on truLocal to deliver the best possible ingredients. And that, my friend, is worth its weight in gold.
So if you‘re ready to experience the joy of exceptional meat, give truLocal a try. I have a feeling you‘ll be just as hooked as I am.
Happy cooking!
