VG Blog

It’s early winter here in southern Ontario and there’s a lot going on at the VG family farms. Right now, as our retail teams in Simcoe and Stoney Creek are busy preparing for the holiday season, our farmers are hard at work preparing for the cold season. This means moving cattle to new fields and prepping the land for winter, among other things. Today, we’re going to talk about why we move cattle like we do, what we’re doing to preserve the soil on our farms and how you can use this information to improve your own garden at home.

Christmas is only two weeks away, and if you’re the cook in your household, we bet you’re already planning a fantastic meal. Of course, we’re all cooking smaller scale versions of the usual holiday feast this year — but that doesn’t mean it can’t be special. In fact, enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner at the end of a challenging year is something we think will bring a lot of comfort and nostalgia. Here’s to enjoying some delicious turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy and all the sides! (Don’t forget the pumpkin pie for dessert!)

December is here, the holidays are just around the corner and we’ve got great news — VG Meats gift baskets are back! And this year, you can order online. That’s right, it’s now easier than ever to send the gift of delicious local food to anyone on your list: mom and dad, your favourite sibling, that awesome friend who lives a few towns over, those hard-to-shop-for in-laws or the colleague you got for Secret Santa. You can even buy one for yourself! We won’t judge.

Now more than ever, people are looking for ways to give back to their community—and in some cases, families really need this support. It’s been a tough year for many Canadians, and if we can come together and lighten someone’s load or support an awesome organization, why wouldn’t we? It’s this commitment to helping others that make each and every community great.

You’ve probably heard this phrase a hundred times already in 2020, but it’s true: the holidays are going to look a little different this year. That said, they can still be a warm, wonderful time for families to enjoy quiet and quality time together. Santa is still scheduled to make his rounds, the tree will be lit up and beautiful, gifts will be exchanged between loved ones and if we focus on what we have instead of what we’re missing, all will be merry and bright.

We’re many months into the COVID-19 pandemic now, and the situation here in Ontario continues to evolve over time. As public health recommendations change in response to the second wave, some families may feel more cautious about spending time in public spaces. We understand this, particularly if you have high risk individuals in your home, and we wanted to go over a few options that are always available to VG Meats customers. Thanks as always for your continued support of our business, and take care!

Tired of deciding what to make for dinner every night? We hear you. Even if you love cooking, the constant meal planning can be a drag. Plus, your family may be ready for a change from the usual go-to dinners. Don’t get in a weeknight supper slump— just pick a suggestion from our list of cool weather mealtime favourites and your family will race to the table when you call them. Enjoy!

We’ve got great news: bulk buys are back at VG Meats! You can now order family-sized boxes of chicken breasts, chicken legs, ground beef and more at VGFarmToCity.ca. It’s simple, convenient and great value for your money— and just in time for winter, when it’s more important than ever to have a well-stocked freezer of your family’s favourite foods.

If you’re familiar with VG Meats, you know that we love local food. In addition to our own beef, chicken and pork products, we offer a fantastic selection of Ontario-made condiments and spice blends in both retail locations. Our Stoney Creek location also sells fresh Ontario produce and local baked goods. No matter how you shop with us, we’re local through and through!

There’s something wonderful about enjoying a delicious, hot meal served fresh out of the slow cooker on a crisp fall day. It may take a little prep work in the morning, but you’ll get to enjoy the aroma of your favourite comfort food as it warms your house. Plus, serving dinner is a breeze when it’s been cooking away all afternoon! All you have to do is set the table.

It’s been a busy couple of weeks here at VG Meats but we’re ready for Thanksgiving, and we’re here to make sure your family is ready, too. Because Ontarians have been asked not to have large gatherings, we’ve seen an increase in demand for small and medium turkeys. The demand was so big, we initially sold out! Fortunately, we were able to get some additional birds from a trusted local farming partner. And at present, we have all sizes of turkey available. Now, here’s how to make sure you have everything you need this weekend!