Matlock Area Community Supported Agriculture

Project Description

This project developed out of Transition Matlock's interest in creating a sustainable local food system.

The project is in its first trial year and we are just starting to get members to join.

We hope people will join the Matlock CSA Lamb Project to:

• Receive locally grown, flavoursome, grass-reared lamb from a local Soil Association  Registered farm.
• Benefit from the good value of £8.75 per kilogram.
• Help maintain the characteristic landscape of the local hillside through supporting traditional sheep farming.

How will Matlock CSA Lamb Project work?

First you become a member of Matlock Area Community Supported Agriculture Limited, an Industrial and Provident Society.   Membership costs £24 per year and includes four seasonal social events and newsletters.

You then buy flock-shares equivalent to a quarter of a lamb, each costing  £35.  If you want half a lamb you buy two flock-shares: if you want a whole lamb you buy four. In August and September, members are given a date to pick up their lamb meat.  On the designated day you collect your meat, conveniently butchered and packaged in freezer bags, from a central Matlock location.

Members will be invited to seasonal events such as a Spring Farm Visit to see the lambs, a Summer Picnic, an Autumn blackberry picking and wine and jam making session, and a Winter Celebration in a local village hall. A quarterly seasonal newsletter will include recipe suggestions and news about the farm, its livestock and other local foods.

What will it cost?

£35 for one flock-share, which is a quarter of a lamb (approximately 4 kilos of on-the bone-meat). Plus the CSA membership fee.  Payment is a one-off advance payment.
 
Why it matters?

Eat sustainably: Sheep grazing on the grass fields is an efficient way to produce nutritious food from the local hillside.  Food miles are kept to a minimum because the sheep are born at Riber and slaughtered at Holloway, 2 food miles away.

Convenience: Joining the Matlock CSA Lamb Project is the easiest way to obtain this local meat. You won't find local lamb  from the Matlock Area raised to Soil Association Organic Standards in a local supermarket.  The meat will be packed in convenient portions and can be frozen for up to 12 months.

Contribute to the beauty of our landscape: By making a commitment to purchase the lamb in advance, you will help to maintain the characteristic landscape of the local hillside by supporting traditional sheep-farming.

Animal welfare: The sheep are reared at High Leas Farm to Soil Association Organic Standards.   The lambs will be taken to slaughter at Maycocks Butchers in Holloway, only 2 miles from the farm where they were born and raised.   This local slaughterhouse and butchers is not organically certified, therefore the meat officially loses its organic status once it goes into this local business.  We have chosen to use Maycocks, a trusted local business, rather than transport the lambs over 20  miles to the nearest organically certified slaughterhouse.

Learn new skills: Over the seasons, you will be able to learn about new cuts of meat and new ways of cooking them. Some members may want to learn more practical skills in sheep husbandry or butchery.

Find out more at the Transition Matlock website  or email helen.cunningham@transitionmatlock.org.uk

Future Projects:

The Lamb Project is the first project taken on by the newly formed Matlock Area Community Supported Agriculture Industrial and Provident Society. If you become a member you will have the opportunity to get involved in future projects which may include beef, poultry, pork or fruit and vegetables.  

Join Matlock Area Community Supported Agriculture  and get involved in creating a sustainable local food system for Matlock!