By Olivia Gilbert
With just four market days remaining, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit one of our esteemed vendors, GrassRoots Meats. You’ll exclusively encounter top-tier meat, coupled with an unwavering dedication to nutrition and a strong sense of community sharing.
In the early 1980s, Allan and Lois Higgins embarked on their journey of raising beef in Colorado, initially following a conventional approach. However, as they discovered the numerous health benefits for animals, consumers, and the environment associated with finishing animals on grass, they wholeheartedly committed to producing 100% grass-fed and grass-finished beef. Their dedication led to the launch of the GrassRoots label in 2002, aimed at supplying their premium meats on a larger scale across the country.
Today, three generations of their family actively participate in the operation.
Situated in southern Colorado, GrassRoots Meats specializes in providing all-natural, 100% grass-fed and grass-finished Colorado beef and lamb, organic free-range chicken from a California partner, all-natural pork raised in Iowa, and all-natural duck, also raised in sunny California. Their animals and poultry are raised without the use of added hormones or antibiotics and are processed in USDA facilities with a strong emphasis on humane treatment.
The Higgins family firmly believes that grass-finished meat is the superior choice. Grass-finishing ensures high-quality meat with a distinct flavor profile. The taste of beef or lamb is profoundly influenced by the animal’s diet. These animals graze on a diverse blend of grasses and legumes. This diet results in meat rich in nutrients and delightful flavor. Their animals graze on natural mountain pastures in the Rocky Mountains, producing exceptional flavor and tender cuts. In contrast, grain-fed cattle often struggle to digest the grains they consume, leading to health issues.
Think of grain-fed diets as equivalent to humans solely consuming sugary snacks like Twinkies and Ho-Hos.
Naturally raised and grass-finished meat is incredibly nutritious, boasting high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids, CLA, vitamins A and E, and minimal saturated fat. Hormone implants and grain diets can compromise meat quality, but GrassRoots Meats refrains from using either.
Their approach to animal husbandry adheres to strict guidelines, emphasizing humane treatment and a healthy environment that allows animals to mature naturally. They employ pasture rotation, controlled grazing, natural fertilization, and water source management, reflecting an environmentally conscious and low-energy approach to cattle raising.
GrassRoots Meats takes the traditional route of hanging and dry-aging their beef for 10 to 14 days. This meticulous process imparts a rich, juicy flavor and a unique texture and tenderness, setting their meat apart from other aging methods and especially from meat that hasn’t been aged at all. Following the aging process, professionals handle the cutting and processing to ensure lasting flavor and freshness.
Lois and Allan’s unwavering commitment to meat quality shines through their products and practices.
Visit the GrassRoots booth from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, until September 30.
We are excited to share that our offer for SNAP card users will be ongoing until the market concludes. Here’s how it works: Spend $20 using your SNAP card, and you’ll receive an additional $20 in Double-Up Bucks from Nourish Colorado, absolutely free. This means you can enjoy a delightful variety of fresh vegetables, eggs, and baked goods at no extra cost. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Join us at the SOS booth every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm until September 30th to make the most of this amazing deal.
Olivia Gilbert is the Pagosa Springs Farmers Market coordinator.