The Butchers Guild
I’m Susan Allen welcome to Open Range. Last year I toured a large meat packing plant and couldn’t help but notice how different it was from my grandfather’s meat shop I grew up frequenting. Stay tuned after the break Hand made posters advertise lamb cut and wrapped for your locker for $16.00. And there’s Grandpa frozen in the 1960's puffed with pride at the counter of his small shop that had an excellent reputation for fine meats . What a contrast to the packing plant I visited, where virtually hundreds of Hispanics stood shoulder to shoulder cutting and wrapping beef as it passed on a conveyor belt. Given our consumption of beef packing plants are a necessity but there is also a growing movement called the Butchers Guild to promote the artisans in the meat cutting industry and yes my grandfather was adamant his prowess with a knife was art. To be a member of the Guild each butcher must sign an oath that reads. As a true butcher I have a good Heart, Hand Source and Voice.Heart:I maintain integrity in relationships with customers and vendors. Source:I support local, sustainable farms and practice whole animal butchery. Hand: I strive to improve my knife skills and knowledge of the trade. Voice: I am an active community member and encourage a healthy food system. According to the butchersguild.org “Good Meat can change the world” their bigger hurdle will be to change the meat industry. I know they’ve got at least one cheerleader in heaven.
