Why We Choose A Different Way

When we first started selling food directly to families, it was over 25 years ago.

At that time, we had farmed some conventionally. Many of our friends and neighbors still do. We understood the systems that existed because we were part of them. We understood why they were built, why farmers chose them, and how much the market dictated what a farm could realistically do.

Low prices were a constant pressure. Often, they were hard. Many times, they were impossible to sustain.

Those systems required big investments and highly efficient results. They rewarded speed and uniformity. Carcasses needed to look the same. Volume mattered more than quality. And while that worked for some farms, it became clear it wasn’t something we could forecast well or build a future around.

Not because it was wrong. It didn’t fit us.

We never wanted to build a business by tearing down other farmers or attacking other ways of farming. We knew exactly why those systems existed. We lived it. And we’ve always tried to be mindful of our neighbors and friends who farm differently.

So instead of bashing, my parents made a simple decision.

We would offer an option.

We would do things differently and be honest about why. Not louder. Not fear based. Just transparent.

For a long time, most people didn’t ask many questions about their food. Many still don’t. Price mattered most. Convenience mattered most. That’s reality. But over time, something shifted.

As our farm grew, the connections grew too.

More families wanted to know where their food came from. They wanted to understand how it was raised. They cared about flavor, nourishment, and consistency. Through those relationships, we made changes as well. We learned. We adjusted. We didn’t lock ourselves into one rigid idea of the right way.

The relationship with the people you feed is what shapes a farm. Real food isn’t about being extreme. It’s about being steady.

That’s why we’ve always avoided fear driven marketing. There are plenty of ways we could sell food by scaring people. Others do that well. We’ve worked hard to do the opposite, while still being honest about the real differences in how our food is raised.

Those differences matter. They affect price. They affect nutrient density. They affect animal and land health. And we are comfortable standing behind those choices, even when they cost more.

That balance is what led us to create our Real Food page.

It’s not about convincing. It’s about explaining. How we farm. Why it looks different than most. And how families can use this food in a way that fits real life, not perfection.

If you haven’t read through it recently, I invite you to take a look.

👉 https://jakescountrymeats.com/real-food

We’re grateful to be one option among many. And we’re so very thankful for the families who choose our farm and trust us to feed theirs.

With gratitude,

Renee
Jake’s Country Meats