Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/514590
52 | JULY 2015 nshoremag.com Farm in Athol, where animals are held in pens designed by Dr. Tem- ple Grandin, the world's foremost authority on the humane handling of animals. He receives one whole cow every week. "Our grass-fed beef has never been processed or frozen," he says. In addition to fresh meats, shelves are lined with prepared foods, local cheeses, meat rubs, condiments, sandwiches, and deli products. Store-made sausages and all-natural bacon (as well as sugarless bacon), beef, poultry, pork, bison, buffalo, lamb, goat, and venison are all on offer. In their effort to connect farm- ers, food, and families, the Alonzos host weekly events in their shop. People sit at an enormous butcher block table to sample all sorts of cuts of meat and to hear speakers share information about the food industry and nutrition. Recently, Diana Rodgers, author of The Home- grown Paleo Cookbook, came to one of their eat-and-greet mixers. Kend- ra from Merrimack Valley Wellness Center used the space to celebrate the end of a 30-day healthy eating challenge. And on more than one occasion, holistic health coach Jody Hawkins from Full Circle Coun- seling has spoken about the health benefits of grass-fed meats. "When- ever she speaks," says Alonzo, "I learn something new." One of the many things they have come to understand is that sustainability is the bottom line. "People understand 'organic,' but CONTACT Eva's Farm Organic Butcher Shop 210 S. Main St. Middleton 978-624-7084 evasfarm.com Eva's Farm will soon be the first and only certified-organic butcher shop in Massachusetts. Lower in calories Higher in beta-carotene Higher in vitamin E and in the B vitamins thiamine and riboflavin Higher in minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium Higher in total omega-3s (healthier ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids) Higher in CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), a potential cancer fighter Higher in vaccenic acid, which can be transformed into CLA Lower in the saturated fats HEALTH BENEFITS OF GRASS-FED BEEF LIVE it is really about sustainability," says Barriann. It's also about transparency, which, she says, "is the fastest way to earn trust." The windowed cooler where the meat is hung and cut for everyone to see has proven very popular, despite early warnings that it was not a good idea. But Alonzo spent so many years cooped up in window- less rooms that he wanted some- thing else entirely. Something else entirely—that de- scribes Eva's Farm Organic Butcher Shop in a nutshell. Above, the shop is spacious enough to hold special events. Below, left to right, Rileinny Ferreyra, Roberto Alonzo, Barriann (wife), Eva (daughter), Nico Alonzo (son)