Walk through any grocery store and you’ll see it... grass-fed, pasture-raised, organic, “all natural.” Some labels mean something. Others mean almost nothing. And with prices rising everywhere, it’s fair to ask:
Is premium meat really worth the extra cost?
At Our Ancestors Foods, we think it is. And a wave of recent science, consumer trends, and a growing chorus of experts (including regenerative advocate and former environmental attorney Nicolette Hahn Niman) backs us up. Let’s break down what that higher price really represents and why it matters more now than ever.
What “Grass-Fed” and “Pasture-Raised” Actually Mean (When They’re Honest)
These terms should be straightforward, but the industry has muddied the waters.
The USDA allows beef to be labeled “grass-fed” even if the cattle were finished on grain. And “pasture-raised” can mean as little as five minutes outside per day.
At Our Ancestors Foods, we don’t play those games.
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Our beef is 100% grass-fed and grass-finished, from birth to harvest.
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Our pigs are raised on pasture with room to forage, root, and live like pigs should.
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No feedlot confinement. No antibiotics. No hormones. No grain-based shortcuts.
The Health Benefits Are Real (and Proven)
It’s not just marketing. Numerous studies show the difference in nutrition between pasture-raised and conventionally raised meat:
🥩 Grass-Fed Beef
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Up to 5x more omega‑3s
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Higher levels of CLA (linked to fat loss and heart health)
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Richer in vitamins A, E, and zinc
🐖 Pasture-Raised Pork
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Higher in thiamine (vitamin B1)—essential for stress resilience and energy
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Superior taste, texture, and nutrient retention
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Raised outdoors = no need for growth-promoting drugs
When you pay more for truly pasture-raised meat, you’re paying for nutrition that supports your body. Especially for your heart, brain, and metabolism.
It's Better for the Land (When Done Right)
We’ve all heard the criticism: “Beef is bad for the environment.” But that’s only true when animals are raised in industrial systems that rely on grain, antibiotics, and confinement.
Regenerative grazing flips that model on its head.
“Properly managed livestock play an essential role in maintaining grassland ecosystems by functioning as surrogates for herds of wild ruminants that once covered the globe.”
— Nicolette Hahn Niman, Defending Beef
In regenerative systems, cattle are moved frequently across pasture, mimicking the natural patterns of wild herds. Their movement fertilizes the soil, stimulates plant growth, and builds biodiversity.
“Regenerative farming with livestock that looks like nature and produces nutrient-rich food, is the answer.”
— Nicolette Hahn Niman
This approach doesn’t degrade the land—it heals it. It doesn’t increase emissions—it sequesters carbon. And it creates the healthiest, most honest meat you can eat.
So What Are You Really Paying For?
That extra $3-5 per pound isn’t padding anyone’s wallet. It reflects:
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A healthier animal
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A better life for that animal
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Regenerative land stewardship
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Honest, traceable practices
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A product that truly nourishes you
You’re not just buying food. You’re casting a vote for the kind of food system you want to exist.
🐄 Not Sure About Beef’s Role in Climate Change?
We get it. There’s a lot of noise out there about cow farts and carbon footprints. If you're skeptical about beef and sustainability, we highly recommend the book
Defending the Beef by Nicolette Hahn Niman.
Written by a former environmental attorney turned rancher, it breaks down the real science behind meat production, methane, soil carbon, and how properly managed livestock can be climate solutions, not climate problems.
The Bottom Line
More and more people are waking up to the reality that cheap food comes at a steep hidden cost to health, to the environment, and to trust.
We’re proud to offer a better way. It costs a little more, but it gives you a lot more.
👉 Ready to taste the difference?
Shop our 100% grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork today. Transparently raised, nutritionally superior, and built for people who care about what they eat.