The Amador Ledger Dispatch reported yesterday on a recent meeting in Martell in which the sponsor, the Amador Resource Conservation District, provided grass-fed and conventional beef at lunch for a taste comparison.
The article, by Jennifer Gee, quotes Steve Cannon, director of the Amador Resource Conservation District.
"Some people have this view that grass-fed livestock meat is yellow and the meat isn't tender," Cannon is quoted. "We want to try and dispel some of this."
The article didn't say whether the participants could tell the difference, however, a press release on the ANR News Web site, reports on previous work by UC Cooperative Extension advisors and cooperators at CSU Chico that affirmed that grass-fed beef is healthier.
For the Amador Ledger Dispatch article, Gee also sought comment from UCCE farm advisor Scott Oneto about the RCD workshop. He said ranchers hope that local stores and restaurants will start to take notice of local producers and see the benefits of knowing the origin of their food.
"I think the big thing is there's not only becoming more and more of a demand but an awareness by the public for locally grown agricultural products," Oneto is quoted. "People like to know where their food is coming from."