Another place I visited just recently is Dakota Vale Free Range Turkey and Chickens.
Located in Wolvi, I cannot speak more highly of Richard Glover, the man behind Dakota Vale.
When I see free range operations like this, I cannot fathom, why on earth anyone would buy other than free range poultry. I have stated many times before on blogs how I feel about the practice of non free range poultry so I won’t bore you with repetition, but I really wish the wider population would embrace free range more wholeheartedly.
Dakota Vale has an onsite abattoir, so there is no overlooking the fact that the poultry is raised for the purpose of slaughter. But just walk around the property – the chickens walk with you. They are quietly enjoying their short lives, grazing out in the open air, catching bugs, pecking up seed, resting in clusters under the water tank. You can see that they are happy.
This is a real free range operation – not an operation that labels itself free range and then only adheres to the absolute minimum time that legislation requires for the chickens to roam freely. If you need any reminders as to how cruel non free range practices can be, then just have a look at the ‘Free Betty’ website for a reality check and reminder:
Dakota Vale produces free range chickens, ducks and turkeys and do supply to a number of Sunshine Coast butchers. But the best place to purchase would be at the Noosa Farmers’ Markets where I recently saw that they had a stall – you will be able to by free range chickens at much less than you could ever buy them in the supermarkets.
Richard also explained that their slaughter methods are also much more ‘food friendly’ for want of a better expression. Normally the intestines are ‘blasted’ out of the carcass at high pressure, resulting in carcasses then needing additional processing, usually in the way of bleaching, to make them ‘kitchen ready’. Dakota Vale does not endorse this practice, preferring to remove the innards manually and thereby removing the need for extensive bleaching and processing. Another reason why this meat is better.
All I can say is get out there and support these local producers. Their passion, to bring to you good quality food with integrity and humanity is unparalleled. Thanks so much to all of them!
This post was written by Petra Frieser – Local Harvest
Author: Local Harvest
About the Author: Local Harvest
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