Harborne Village Butchers

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Local food makes for a better economy, better tasting food, and a fairer deal for all. Hence why (HVB) is getting a mention. However, for some time there's been a debate between the cost versus the benefits.



It's been argued that local produce is more expensive than supermarket, and it's true. Buying local, organic produce is purse-lightening, and when you've got a family to feed it's an inconceivable option. But that's precisely why you should buy locally sourced food, meat especially.

See it as a treat for the family or yourself and a partner. You can really taste the difference in terms of flavour; there's a freshness and depth to free range meat that is simply non-existent with supermarket meat.

I only buy local food for special occasions, but when you're really stretched for cash, that's where the butcher comes in. It's their job to recommend family-friendly cuts of meat, cheaper options, and a good butcher will suggest ways to make the meat go further.



They're not out to bankrupt you - it's a fairer deal for all, and who better than your local butchers . I know I've already made introductions, but Nigel the butcher knows all about a fairer deal and is happy to chat.

I've been to quite a few butchers in and around Birmingham, and HVB are probably the friendliest, which is what I like. Niceties asdie, I keep going back because Nigel knows everything about the produce, unlike the sometimes unknowledgable staff that you can encounter at the supermarket.



Fresh, local meats are what I crave, and you can really taste the difference when you buy butchers meat. HVB are purveyors of high quality meat, and being the carnivore I am, have tried the eggs, chicken, lamb, and stewing steak, and the Wensleydale.

The range of meat at HVB is pretty varied; they sell beef: steak, all of their steaks are hung (always check for that because a hung steak promises flavour), mince, stewing cuts; chicken: breast, leg, thigh, whole, fillets, skinned, and boneless; lamb: chops, mince.

All of the meat is provided by farmers across the UK. The chicken is from Springfield Poultry; the lamb is from Staffordshire, and Wales, the pork is from Blythburgh, Suffolk, farmers; the beef is provided by Cannock and Hereford farmers, and the eggs are laid by hens on Tickerbridge Farm in Leomister. The cheese is British, and while you can buy most types of cheese in the supermarket, butchers and deli's always serve the best kind, and HVB is no different.



HVB also sell local jams and pork scratchings. It's more like a village shop where you can try a taste of your surroundings - what local businesses offer, and how the local community is supported and how buying local is more affordable than you think.

I know I'm a regular, and at least once a month you'll see me chatting with Nigel about how to butterfly a whole chicken.

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