Cheuk Yin Lee - Farm To Fork

Summary

This video explores the sustainable farming practices at Wild Berry Farm, where animals are raised in a more natural and humane environment. The farm focuses on rare breeds and seasonal, local produce, emphasizing the importance of knowing where your food comes from. Jack, the farm assistant, and Pete, the chef at the local pub, highlight their commitment to quality ingredients and the connection between farm and table. They discuss the growing demand for local, sustainable food and the environmental impact of food choices, aiming for full sustainability in the future.

Takeaways

• 😀 The farm operates with a focus on sustainable, extensive farming, in contrast to the intensive farming methods used by larger commercial farms.
• 😀 The animals at Wild Berry Farm are raised in small numbers with plenty of space, ensuring their well-being, access to food, water, and fresh bedding.
• 😀 Rare breeds, like the Oxford and Sandy Blacks pigs, are maintained at Wild Berry Farm to support their survival and preserve genetic diversity.
• 😀 The farm works closely with local chefs and restaurants, providing fresh, seasonal produce for dishes, ensuring high-quality ingredients and community ties.
• 😀 The relationship between the farm and the pub's chefs is based on collaboration, with chefs visiting the farm to understand the types of produce and when it's ready.
• 😀 Ingredients at the pub are selected based on seasonality, with a focus on simple pairings that bring out the best flavors from fresh, local produce.
• 😀 The farm grows produce with the goal of delivering fresh, high-quality food, often harvested in the morning and served at the pub by evening.
• 😀 The farm aims to challenge the mass import of cheaper, lower-welfare meat from places like New Zealand by offering locally sourced, high-welfare alternatives.
• 😀 The farm promotes a sustainable farming model that prioritizes local, seasonal food and helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transport.
• 😀 The goal is to create a completely sustainable operation, considering not only the food but also other aspects such as energy sources and the materials used in cooking and heating.

Q & A

What is the farming approach at Wild Berry Farm?

Wild Berry Farm uses extensive farming, keeping fewer animals in large spaces to ensure they are happy and have plenty of access to food, water, and fresh bedding. This is in contrast to intensive farming, where animals are kept in much closer quarters.

How does Wild Berry Farm contribute to preserving rare animal breeds?

Wild Berry Farm keeps rare breeds like the Oxford and Sandy Black pigs, which are at risk of extinction. The farm helps preserve these breeds by raising them and supporting breed survival trusts.

How does the farm ensure that its pigs and other animals have a good life before being dispatched?

The animals are raised in a spacious and caring environment with ample access to food and shelter. While they are eventually dispatched for consumption, they are given the best possible life up until that point, which includes emotional care from the farm staff.

What is the relationship between the farm and the pub?

The farm has a close relationship with the local pub, where the chefs are actively involved in sourcing seasonal and locally grown produce. The pub uses ingredients from the farm in their dishes, and the chefs even visit the farm to help out.

How does Pete, the pub chef, decide which ingredients to use in the menu?

Pete writes the menu based on what ingredients are in season and locally available. He focuses on simple pairings of ingredients, taking advantage of what tastes best at that time of year.

What makes the vegetables grown at Wild Berry Farm different from those in larger supermarkets?

The vegetables grown at Wild Berry Farm may not look as uniform as those in supermarkets, but they have superior flavor because they are picked fresh in the morning and served at the pub that same evening, unlike mass-produced vegetables that can sit on shelves for days.

How does the farm contribute to sustainability in its farming practices?

Wild Berry Farm practices sustainable farming by using old-fashioned breeds suited to the local area and focusing on seasonal, local produce. The farm works to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize the environmental impact of its food production.

What is the philosophy behind using rare breed meats at the pub?

The philosophy is to use quality, rare breed meats because they have better flavor due to their fat content, which is higher than mass-produced supermarket meat. This approach also supports sustainable farming and helps maintain rare breeds.

Why is it important to know where your food comes from?

Knowing where your food comes from ensures better welfare standards for animals, supports local farming, and reduces the environmental impact of food transportation. It also ensures fresher, higher-quality produce, as it hasn’t traveled long distances.

What challenges do farmers face in convincing people to eat locally sourced food?

A major challenge is the higher cost of locally sourced food compared to cheaper imported options. While there is growing interest in eating locally, many people still opt for cheaper alternatives, especially when the local produce is more expensive.