Bacon. Mmmmm Mmmmm mmmmm

There's so much that could be said about this staple, sliced and smoked just right, it lends itself to any recipe. We've made bacon jam, put it in salads, potatoes, ate it on its own, you name it. This is one thing we know won't stay in stock very long. 

Bacon is commonly used to add flavour and the amazing benefits of fat to a diet. And no one complains about that! Our pigs live a majority of their lives outdoors, under straw piles in the winter and in playing in the garden and pens in the summer. They are fed a grain ration that we make and all the kitchen scraps they can handle. They are robust and healthy, resulting in a bacon that is the perfect blend of fat and meat with delicious flavour that will make any recipe brag-worthy. 

Our bacon is packaged in 1lb packages. 

Fresh sausage is one of the most versatile of the sausages we have. It lends itself well to breakfast or supper, bake it, grill it, boil it, pan cook, it all works for this type. Have them whole as they are or break them up for soups and casseroles. Lightly seasoned, a 50/50 mix of beef and pork, it is so versatile that they are our perfect go to for a last minute meal. These are gluten free. 

These come 6 links to a package, are about 1.1 lbs/package and are $13.26/lb.  They are sold with a $14 deposit, the final price calculated upon weighing and due upon shipping. 

This little known cut is one of our family favourites. Pork steaks, sometimes referred to as a Boston butt or pork blade steak, are steaks cut from the shoulder of the pig. These contain a bone and are heavily marbled. We find they are best done in a slow cooker with onions and mushrooms to render all that fat down into an amazing sauce. Some parts of this cut are a bit more sturdy while others can be quite tender so the slow cooking is well suited here. 

These are wrapped up with 2/package for 9.34/lb. They are sold with a $14 deposit with the total calculated upon weighing and due upon shipping. 

Ground pork is a staple around here. With a slightly higher fat content than beef its adds a flavour and juiciness to any ground meat dish being prepared. We mix it 1:2 with ground beef for all meatballs, burgers, meatloafs, etc. for the flavour and moisture as well as the cost. 

Ground pork is a versatile, lean, and tender meat derived from various parts of the pig. It consists of finely minced or ground cuts, making it an excellent choice for a wide variety of dishes across diverse cuisines. Ground pork is a rich source of protein and other essential nutrients such as iron, vitamin B and zinc, adding both texture and flavor to recipes. Popular uses for ground pork include sausages, meatballs, dumplings, and various stuffed dishes. It can also be used as a substitute for ground beef or turkey, offering a unique taste profile. Mixing ground pork with other ground meats helps to enhance the overall flavour and tenderness of a dish. (Thanks to https://cooklist.com/products/meat-seafood/pork/ground-pork for the great description!)

Ground pork comes in 1lb packages. 

Hams are a necessity in this household, they cook quick, are delicious, and leftovers can become so many things. Ham bones are a fantastic basis for so many soups as well. 

There are many varieties of ham the world over but the primary thing that defines it is that ham is a cured meat made from a pork leg. There are many factors that play into ham including the breed and diet of pig, the style of curing, the addition of flavour or not, whether the ham is smoked or not and how it is typically served all help to delineate different varieties of ham. The production of ham is believed to date back to as far as the 6th Century BC by the Etruscans around the area that is modern-day Tuscany. (Thanks to https://www.ice.edu/blog/understanding-ham for this cool info!)

These hams vary in size and are priced at $14.45/lb for a boneless and 12.97/lb for a bone-in.

Small Boneless are 2-3lbs with a $30 deposit, large boneless are about 3-4lbs with a $38.00 deposit. Bone in are also 3-4lbs and are sold with a deposit of $38.00. For any of these, the total being calculated upon weighing and any balance is due upon shipping. 

Pork Chops are a standard meal ticket item in our household. Something that we often pull out for company because there is nothing like the flavour of a outdoor raised pork chop. Long gone are the days of dried out/ need applesauce/ tough as shoe leather pork chops. These are delicious, melt in your mouth, tender chops that you will come back to time and time again. The fat renders out beautifully, without turning your oven, stovetop, or BBQ into an inferno. Season them, or don't, their flavour is amazing for special occasions, field meals, or a quick and easy supper at home. 

These come as bone-in or boneless.

These are wrapped up 2/package. Bone-in are priced at 8.67/lb and boneless are $11.12/lb. Their deposits are $9/package for bone-in and $9/package for boneless with the final total calculated upon weighing and due upon shipping. 

We don't think there's a cut quite as juicy or flavourful as a pork roast. These cuts are meaty, marbled, and just plain delightful. The crackling of the fat as they cook is enough to make your house smell like the great outdoors and your mouth water. Roast these up for easy sandwiches, often a nice change from the ham/chicken/beef school routine, pull them apart for pulled pork on a bun, or serve as a classic roast. As the pigs are raised outdoors and fed a mix of grains and kitchen leftovers, this meat has a beautiful aroma and flavour that is irresistible. The price point on these is also comfortable for households wanting flavour and nutrients on a budget. 

These roasts are about 3-4lbs each and are priced at $10.08/lb. They are sold with a $30.00 deposit, with the total calculated upon weighing and due upon shipping. 

Pork fat has a very useful purpose in that of lard. While we cannot sell it as rendered lard, its a very easy home project that the kids really enjoy doing and then using after. Though sometimes I think they'll use any excuse to have pie! Simply partially thaw the fat, chop/grind it up, melt in the slow cooker, strain a couple times (through a cheesecloth to finish), and pour into a mold. We use a breadpan on a scale so we can weigh it up to 1 lb bricks. These are shelf stable if all the bits are out, but store very well in a freezer. 

Lard is the semi-soft, white fat located in the fattiest portions of a pig. Used as a cooking fat for centuries, lard fell out of favour when hydrogenated vegetable shortening was invented in the early 20th century. We now know that hydrogenated fats, also called trans fats, are not good for our bodies. Lard has become a popular cooking fat once again because it contains no trans fats and offers a number of benefits. (Thanks to https://www.webstaurantstore.com/blog/3068/what-is-lard.html for this nicely written article!)

• Pure lard has a neutral taste and contains no pork flavor
• Lard contains no trans fats, which makes it a healthier option than hydrogenated fats
• Lard has less saturated fat and cholesterol than butter
• Lard contains healthy monounsaturated fats, just like olive oil
• It has a high smoke point, making it ideal for frying foods

Bags of pork fat are about 2-3 lbs each, and are sold for $4.00/lb. They are sold with a $8.00 deposit with the total being calculated upon weighing and due upon shipping.