A meat box scheme promoting conservation grazing; sourcing high quality, grass-fed animals from the Sussex Downs
The Sussex Grazed Project
The Food Partnership is working with Sussex landowners, farmers & residents to run a local meat box scheme, as part of the of the National Trust led Changing Chalk project.
We sell boxes of grass-fed lamb (hogget/ mutton), goat and beef, from animals that have been conservation grazing on local chalk grassland between Shoreham and Eastbourne.
Pre-order a meat box
Sussex Grazed SHOP on the Open Food Network.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign-up for updates or contact us at sussexgrazed@bhfood.bozboz.dev if you have questions or ideas for the project. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
How it works
Local meat buying schemes work by collecting orders in advance for the farmer, who then produces the right amount of product. It is distributed in ‘shares’, e.g. quarter of a lamb, pre-butchered, vac packed and ready for the freezer.)
We strive to keep transportation to a minimum, using our only Sussex abattoir and local butchers. By working directly with local farmers who are conservation grazing we can ensure the animals have lived outdoors and fed on a diverse mix of grasses and wildflowers.
These well managed grazing animals promote biodiversity on the downs and their varied grassland diet will result in flavoursome and nutritious meat for our scheme.
If you are a local farmer / grazier, interested in supplying our scheme please read our publication on alternative routes to market for conservation grazing farmers.
We are recruiting volunteers to help manage the scheme. Please sign-up here if you want to receive updates on how you can support the project. Or feel free to contact us at sussexgrazed@bhfood.bozboz.dev if you have questions.
Why setup a meat box scheme?
It is widely believed that agriculture and livestock farming are the biggest contributors to deforestation, to biodiversity loss, soil pollution and water use. But in our local area, we have access to meat that is farmed in a different way, in a way that preserves the chalk grasslands which roll behind our towns.
Grazing sheep and cattle on this landscape encourages biodiversity of wildlife & plants, reduces the use of chemicals, improves the soil quality (encouraging carbon capture) and supports the chalklands, which for decades have filtered and protected our water supply. We want more local people to understand the value of this conservation method.
Through the scheme we aim to increase the high welfare, grazing livestock entering the local food market. This will allow local people to enjoy delicious and sustainably reared lamb and beef from the surrounding countryside, whilst supporting the local farmers involved with a fair price for their meat.
For our supporters who prefer a vegetarian or vegan diet – please be assured that the vast majority of the recipes we share and the food cooked at most of our cooking classes is vegetarian or vegan. But we also work with a wide range of people from all sectors of the community and many people do of course eat meat and fish. We therefore promote the purchase of higher welfare products from local producers, alongside reducing and replacing meat consumption.
*We have drawn inspiration from the Sheep Share Brighton and Hove initiative for this Changing Chalk project.
Background on the project
Sussex Grazed is part of the Changing Chalk project. Changing Chalk is a partnership of organisations working together for the future of the South Downs. Through this project, we are reversing the decline of the fragile chalk grassland, and connecting local communities to the nationally significant landscape on their doorstep. Led by the National Trust, the partnership connects nature, people and heritage, and is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and People’s Postcode Lottery. It is restoring lost landscapes and habitats, bringing history to life and offering new experiences in the outdoors.
In collaboration with the British Deer Society, we have created a Deer Manager Resource Pack, for deer managers involved in landscape protection and restoration. It brings together key information required before selling venison directly, including legal requirements, regulations and practical guidance to support the establishment of new businesses or to expand existing ones.
Resources for Deer Manager Pack
