Meridian Meats/Tetford Longhorns

PRODUCER: Meridian Meats/Tetford Longhorns, Lincolnshire
PRODUCT: Longhorn beef
REGION: East and West Midlands
CATEGORY: From the Field (Primary)

WHAT THEY DO

The team at Meridian Meats are passionate about championing traditional and rare breeds and the art of old-fashioned butchery.

Launched in 1997 as an outlet for Tetford Farm’s home-reared Longhorn beef and lamb from rare-breed ewes, the business sold to customers directly and was soon popular. Founder Jim Sutcliffe says, “We knew then that we were producing high quality products with superior eating qualities and believed that these did not deserve to be lost into the general market”.

In response, Meridian Meats opened their farm shop at Tetford in 2005. Having previously sold packs of beef and either whole or half lambs, the company were now able to supply households and bring their product to the tables of more local people.

In 2008 the business moved into a retail butcher’s shop on the high street in Louth (‘the capital of the Lincolnshire Wolds’) and an online shop was also launched – although the team say they prefer a phone call to allow them to give the personal touch to their service.

All Tetford Farm’s animals are reared as naturally as possible before being personally taken to L Brown & Son’s City Abattoir in Lincoln just 22 miles away. Other meats the business offer are from high-welfare Lincolnshire farms and carefully chosen suppliers, including Aberdeen Angus beef from Scot Beef of Inverurie and Label Anglaise free-range chickens from SJ Frederick & Sons, ensuring traceability and high welfare.

Jim says Meridian Meats “keep old artisan butchery techniques alive”, being Lincolnshire’s only Traditional Breeds Accredited butchers and member of the Guild of Q Butchers. The farm’s Longhorn beef is hung for a minimum of three weeks before being butchered by the small in-house team. The Meridian Meats team are proud of the quality of their product and aim to endorse their dedication to excellence through entering the awards.

WHAT THE JUDGES SAID:

The judges were impressed with the detail provided on the breeds and provenance, and the ambition shown to highlight good meat through retail. The passion demonstrated in expanding the business and cultivating personal relationships with customers and the wider community was commended. 

VISIT THE WEBSITE:  meridianmeatsshop.co.uk