10/15/2026
A simple question tells you almost everything you need to know about where your beef comes from:
“Can you tell me the name of the local ranch this beef came from and where it’s located? Or is this boxed beef?”
A reputable butcher should be able to answer honestly.
If it’s local beef, they can usually tell you the ranch.
If it’s boxed beef, they’ll likely tell you that, too.
And if they can’t—or won’t—tell you where the beef was raised, that’s an answer in itself.
There’s nothing wrong with boxed beef. It’s how many grocery stores, restaurants and butcher shops source their beef.
But if your goal is to support local agriculture, buying from a local butcher doesn’t automatically mean you’re buying local beef.
Supporting local businesses matters.
Supporting local ranchers matters too.
The only way to know where your beef comes from is to ask.
