Grass-fed butter in Canada...?

bluefish86

I'm going on holiday tomorrow and just realized that I can't get Kerrygold in Toronto!

Does anybody know of any other brands of grass-fed dairy, and where is it available?

Also, I'm packing snacks for the trip... any suggestions for plane-friendly foods would be appreciated.

toadqueen

Maybe you can bring ghee if you can't find the butter. It does not require refrigeration and is quite yummy.

Kitnthecat

I am in Manitoba, so don't know what they might have in Toronto, but generally we can't get grass fed dairy in Canada, unless you know someone. You might be able to find organic dairy in the stores that might be better for you. I sometimes buy butter from a local dairy, but I can't swear that it is grass fed. You might find a similar option if you look in a health food store or organic section of the grocery store.

I did have a raw dairy share about 1.5 years ago, but that is illegal in Canada, and the operation was shut down by the government. Their butter and cheese was amazing ! When we lost that, I stopped buying milk altogether. The government here doesn't even want the farmers themselves to use their own raw dairy for their own consumption, never mind to sell it to consumers. The only other grass fed raw butter I was able to find was through an underground connection through a religious group associated with my daughter's college, but that opportunity only comes up about twice per year for me.

We do see more grass fed products here, but not so much dairy. But you may be lucky if you look around.

I figure that even conventional butter is better than no butter, but ghee may be an option for you too.

bluefish86

Kitnthecat wrote: »

I did have a raw dairy share about 1.5 years ago, but that is illegal in Canada, and the operation was shut down by the government. Their butter and cheese was amazing ! When we lost that, I stopped buying milk altogether. The government here doesn't even want the farmers themselves to use their own raw dairy for their own consumption, never mind to sell it to consumers. The only other grass fed raw butter I was able to find was through an underground connection through a religious group associated with my daughter's college, but that opportunity only comes up about twice per year for me.

I hear that black-market butter is the best butter...

It sounds like I might just have to suck it up and go without. Bah.

ambergem1969

I don't know if they carry grass-fed butter, but there is a Whole Foods in Toronto (in Yorkville) that would probably your best bet.

dasher602014

It isn't grass fed but their website tells you why and what their cows eat but the best butter I have found in Ontario is stirling butter, they have a website. We even take it as gifts because it tastes so much better than others. Not sure if it is available in Toronto. Another good tasting alternative is Kawartha butter but Stirling is the best. Good luck.

pedidiva

Bluefish, I saw a yutube video and the lady (cooking Keto with Kristie) takes her Kerrygold in small tupperware containers, puts in a ziplock, and packs in her case. Good vide of how to pack snacks ofr a trip. I learned a lot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hoziBDKbAQ

ambergem1969

dasher602014 wrote: »

It isn't grass fed but their website tells you why and what their cows eat but the best butter I have found in Ontario is stirling butter, they have a website. We even take it as gifts because it tastes so much better than others. Not sure if it is available in Toronto. Another good tasting alternative is Kawartha butter but Stirling is the best. Good luck.

Thanks for the tip! Apparently Farm Boy in Ottawa carries it so I'll be making a stop after work!

Bluefish - the website has an extensive list of locations in Toronto carrying the Stirling.

Enjoy your trip!

ambergem1969

Oh and I found out why there is no grass-fed butter in Canada - it's the climate. We don't have a long enough growing season to maintain our cows on grass year round so we need to supplement. And trade barriers between Canada and the US mean that butter can't be imported or exported.

AngInCanada

Mmmm my black market butter was delicious best milk I ever drank too

Kitnthecat

ambergem1969 wrote: »

Oh and I found out why there is no grass-fed butter in Canada - it's the climate. We don't have a long enough growing season to maintain our cows on grass year round so we need to supplement. And trade barriers between Canada and the US mean that butter can't be imported or exported.

There are grass fed cows in Canada, but more regulations surrounding the sale of dairy. I chose my farmers specifically for raising organic grass fed beef and organic pastured pork, lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, ducks and geese.....and free range eggs. This is our 4th year for our farm subscription and I would never buy conventional meat again. We can legally buy the grass fed meat, but not the dairy.

P.S. We live in Manitoba where the winters are harsh, and my farmers own no barns for the animals. The cows eat hay all winter, and the heirloom pigs nestle in huge hay bales for warmth. My farmers purchase additional hay for winter so that they don't ever have to resort to feeding the cows anything but grass. This is a choice they made in order to serve us, the consumers who demand this product. Conventional farmers choose to supplement out of convenience, in order to fatten the animal artificially, and in order to make more profit. Our cows I believe, are smaller and healthier. And if I could access the dairy from these cows, I would, but even knowing the farmers who raise them doesn't help me there. They have their own "house cow" for their own use only.

minties82

Could you not take some butter with you? I never refrigerate butter.

jennybird99

I buy my grass fed butter at Fortino's, in half pound wrappers.
So maybe Loblaw's & Canada's Superstores might carry them, too.