When it comes to sourcing high-quality, ethically raised meat, it’s essential to know where your food comes from and how it’s produced.
If you know me, you know I’m a huge stan for self-advocacy—I strongly believe it’s in our best interest to take matters into our own hands, learn how to ask the right questions, and make informed decisions when it comes to sourcing real food. Many of us (myself included) have relied exclusively on major supermarkets for convenience and ease, which subsequently led to us becoming disconnected from the origins of our food. We’ve come to accept meat as just another product on the shelf, sterile, neatly sealed in plastic and separated from the whole animal. It's time to bridge the gap between what we eat and where it comes from.
I encourage you to start building relationships with local farmers and butchers who take pride in their craft. Visit farms, meet them, write to them, email them, tell them how much you appreciate their work, learn from them, listen to them. There’s something truly valuable about knowing the story behind your food—from how the animals were raised to the care taken in preparing the meat at the butcher.
By sourcing from trusted farmers and platforms that prioritize regenerative farming, we not only get better quality meat, but we also support sustainable practices that nourish the land and promote ethical animal husbandry. It’s about reclaiming that connection to our food and being more intentional in our choices and where we put our money.
If you’re new to this journey, especially as an expat in a new country, I know how overwhelming it can be. That’s why I created this guide as a starting point to help you navigate the process of finding high-quality, ethically raised meat. It’s all about taking small steps to make informed choices that benefit both your health and the environment. A win-win situation as I like to say.
Below are some excellent places where you can buy pasture-raised, grass-fed, and organic meat directly from Dutch farms.
1. Samen een Koe Kopen
A unique platform where you can buy shares in a grass-fed cow raised on Dutch farms. The meat is sustainably sourced, and the animal is only slaughtered once all shares are sold, ensuring transparency and minimal waste. It’s an excellent way to know exactly where your meat is coming from and how the animal was treated.
Visit Samen een Koe Kopen
2. De Groene Weg
A trusted butcher chain specializing in organic, grass-fed, and pasture-raised meats. De Groene Weg works with local farmers who are committed to sustainable and regenerative farming practices, ensuring the highest quality and ethically raised products.
Visit De Groene Weg
3. Grutto
Grutto connects consumers directly with farmers to offer sustainably sourced, pasture-raised meats. They sell shares in animals such as beef, lamb, and pork, ensuring a fully traceable and ethical process from farm to table.
Visit Grutto
4. Vlees van Ons
This platform connects you with local Dutch farmers offering high-quality, pasture-raised meat. With a strong focus on transparency and animal welfare, Vlees van Ons offers a variety of meats like beef, pork, and lamb that you can feel good about eating.
Visit Vlees van Ons
5. Boerschappen
An online marketplace that links consumers directly with small-scale farmers. Boerschappen offers sustainably produced food, including pasture-raised meats, making it a convenient way to support local farmers and enjoy high-quality meat.
Visit Boerschappen
6. De Woeste Grond
De Woeste Grond specializes in wild and organic meats from animals raised in their natural environments. They offer pasture-raised, grass-fed meat and game, such as wild boar and deer, with a strong focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and ethical sourcing.
Visit De Woeste Grond
7. Schotse Hooglanders
Schotse Hooglanders specializes in grass-fed and pasture-raised beef from Highland cattle in the Netherlands. Their cattle are raised naturally, grazing year-round in nature reserves without any grain or artificial supplements, resulting in high-quality, flavorful meat. The farm emphasizes sustainability, animal welfare, and maintaining biodiversity through natural grazing practices.
Visit Schotse Hooglanders
8. Zorg & Natuur
Zorg & Natuur focuses on producing organic, grass-fed meat from cattle, sheep, and pigs raised in nature reserves across the Netherlands. Their animals graze naturally in these reserves, contributing to the preservation of the landscape and biodiversity. This results in high-quality, ethically sourced meat that’s both sustainable and flavorful.
Visit Zorg & Natuur
Where do I shop? (As an expat living in Amsterdam)
1. Crisp
Crisp is my go-to online grocery app that delivers fresh, high-quality meat right to my doorstep. They work with incredible farmers like Andre Woertink and Hollands Weiderund, who are champions of regenerative cattle farming. Crisp is committed to sourcing from ranchers dedicated to producing ethically raised, grass-fed, and grass-finished meats. If you’re looking for convenience without compromising on quality, Crisp is an excellent option.
Visit Crisp
Send me a DM on Instagram if you'd like a personal referral for the app—I get to send you 100% grass-fed steak, and you get €15 off your first order!
2. Lindenhoff
Lindenhoff is a farm shop located in Baambrugge, Netherlands—a 20-minute drive from Amsterdam, or you can find them at ZuiderMRKT on Saturdays. They specialize in artisanal, sustainably sourced products, including pasture-raised and organic meats, dairy, and vegetables, sourced directly from their farm and other small-scale, like-minded farmers. Their meats come from heritage breeds and are raised with the highest standards of animal welfare and sustainability.
Visit Lindenhoff
I’ve been visiting this farm and butcher Bert for over two years now, and it’s easily one of my favorite weekend activities. Whenever I pick up a new cut of meat, Bert takes the time to explain exactly how to cook it, sharing tips on what to do or what not to do so I don’t fuck it up. He’s a wealth of knowledge and always a pleasure to chat with—full of insight, personality, and dad jokes.
Lastly, if you’re eager to dive into your own research on sourcing high-quality, sustainable meat in the Netherlands, it helps to know some key Dutch terms commonly used in the industry. When searching for grass-fed meat, look for terms like "grasgevoerd" (grass-fed) and "weidevlees" (pasture-raised meat). To find farms that prioritize sustainability and ethical practices, use "duurzame landbouw" (sustainable farming), "natuurbeheer" (nature conservation), and "regeneratieve landbouw" (regenerative farming). These keywords will lead you to local farmers and butchers who focus on ethical, environmentally conscious meat production. Knowledge is power. Happy exploring!