Raised locally. Raised naturally.

All Northeast Family Farms Natural Beef comes from cattle purchased exclusively from farms in New England and New York, and never from western feedlots or factory farms. Every cut of meat from each steer we buy can be traced back to the farm where it was born and raised, and our strict standards prohibit the use of supplemental growth hormones or antibiotics in the feed.

Northeast Family Farms cattle are grown the traditional way, using sustainable farming practices on small to medium sized family farms. Young animals are kept with their mothers until they are old enough to be weaned. After weaning they are grazed on the lush pastures of the northeast, eating a diet of fresh grass and clovers. All Northeast Family Farms cattle are fed a rich mix of local forages and natural grains just prior to harvest. This ensures that our beef is well-marbled and flavorful, and always of the highest quality.

Processed with care in Vermont.

Over the Hill Farm, LLC, a small, family-owned livestock processing facility and organic farm located in Benson, Vermont, is the current processor of Northeast Family Farms Natural Beef. Animals are handled carefully and humanely from the time they leave the farm until they enter the facilities. Detailed carcass information is collected by trained personnel at the plant and is provided back to the producers.

As a USDA inspected plant, Over the Hill Farm is required to follow an approved plan of safe and sanitary packing procedures. Each cut of beef is trimmed and packaged according to the exact specifications of Dole and Bailey, Inc., the sole distributor of Northeast Family Farms Natural Beef. From Vermont, the beef is transported to the Dole and Bailey plant outside of Boston, where it is wet or dry aged to the peak of flavor and tenderness. Dole and Bailey’s expert butchers can then further portion and package the beef to exact customer specifications and then deliver it throughout the North East. All Northeast Family Farms Natural Beef is guaranteed tender.

Beef with a mission.

Northeast Family Farms was founded by Dole and Bailey for the purpose of creating a direct supply chain between the region’s best farmers and those who appreciate quality natural beef. This includes chefs, specialty retailers, institutions and individual consumers who not only want safe and healthy food, but also have a desire to support local agriculture and promote sustainable farming systems. Northeast Family Farms producers are paid a premium for their efforts to raise cattle in a way that cares for the land. The premium, which is higher than most other natural beef programs in the area, is often enough to make the difference between profit and loss for farm families who take pride in the food they produce.

It’s about the farmers.

Northeast Family Farms isn’t about building an exclusive brand, it’s about recognizing the efforts of the men and women who take the extra care to farm in a way that protects the land and builds rural communities. When a farm produces natural beef for Northeast Family Farms, that farm’s name goes right on the package, so you know exactly where it came from and who raised it.

To find out more about the producers who raise Northeast Family Farms natural beef and how they care for their cattle visit our Farm Locations pages.

Natural Beef Program Cattle Production Protocols

For more information on the requirements that all cattle purchased for the Northeast Family Farms brand Natural Beef Program must meet please see our Beef Protocols.