The overarching reason for buying Sautee Valley Epicurean Lamb is health. Your personal health, of course, is paramount, but increasing our economic health by buying locally produced food is important as well.

As the American Lamb Board (www.americanlamb.com) states, “American lamb is 10,000 miles fresher.” Until the mid-twentieth century, the bulk of US lamb consumption was from domestically-produced lamb. Following WWII, the UK’s economic recovery, together with more efficient processing and shipping methods made it profitable to ship their lamb worldwide. Our domestic lamb market was severely reduced by long-frozen imports from Australia and New Zealand.

As we enter the twenty-first century, lamb production in the US is once again viable. Small farmers can graze six sheep per acre (as opposed to one beef cow), and escalating fuel costs have leveled the playing field (as well as elevated environmental conscientiousness). Small lamb producers cannot break the lock of supermarket chains and imported lamb and make a profit, but we can provide our neighbors with better quality meat produced locally.

Our American lamb is lean, tender and mild, with a freshness you can taste.  Lamb is more easily digested than other meats, and is at the same time nutrient-rich and a healthy choice.

On average, a three-ounce serving of lamb has only 175 calories and meets the FDA standard for lean. In addition, three ounces of lamb easily fits within the daily fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol guidelines of the current Dietary Guidelines for Americans: