Learn to connect with local ranchers for your next steak, pork chop at event this Saturday in Kalispell

People can learn how to connect with a local rancher to purchase beef, pork, or lamb as well as other frequently asked questions about buying locally raised and processed meat during “Know Your Cuts 101” with Montana Farmers Union at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 5, at the Flathead Co-operative Community Room located at 2510 Highway 2 East in Kalispell.

Producers and consumers alike will learn from the event that features butchers from Glacier Processing Cooperative in Columbia Falls. The meat processing facility, formerly Vandevanter Meats, was purchased by the co-op nearly a year ago with the support of MFU.

“Most folks love the idea of food raised off the neighboring ranch, but they don’t know what a quarter or half beef, pork or lamb, looks like in the freezer, or how to communicate how they want that beef, pork, or lamb to be processed to the local butcher,” said Carissa McNamara, who serves as MFU’s ambassador in the Flathead area.

The Know Your Cuts 101 workshop is a great educational opportunity for ranchers to learn how to better communicate with clients about butchering and packaging, and for consumers to learn about butchering and packaging, as well as how many pounds of meat they need to feed their families, how much freezer space that takes, and how to communicate how they want the meat packaged, McNamara said.

Buying locally ultimately gives consumers more options and ranchers more opportunities, strengthening communities, fostering entrepreneurship, and promoting agriculture, she said.

“We are always trying to look at our food systems from the consumer perspective. There are only two percent of farmers and ranchers left, and that means we need to invite folks to the table who put high value on the products we create and then stand next to us on the advocacy platform,” McNamara said.

The workshop will be followed by a complimentary lunch and a meeting of the Montana Farmers Union Flathead Local.

Learn more about the event, or RSVP, contact McNamara at cmcnamara@montanafarmersunion.com or 406-333-1886.