We’ve been ordering our meats from Lilac Hedge Farm in Rutland, and it’s amazing! I’ll call myself a slow adopter on this, as our oldest son has been buying each of us Lilac Hedge Farm steaks for Christmas every year. We just accepted them (who gives meat for a Christmas gift?) … and smiled. At some point in the spring of 2025, Jay and I stopped in at Lilac Hedge because we were out for a drive. We bought a few things from the farm store and popped them in the freezer when we got home. A few days later, I defrosted the boneless chicken and made dinner with it. I wasn’t even thinking it was the Lilac Hedge chicken, but everyone noticed how delicious it was.
We decided to try the online ordering through Lilac Hedge Farm and their subscribe and save feature makes it easy and worthwhile. As long as we order $150 or more per month, we get 5% off our entire order, free delivery – – and our choice each month of a free pound of bacon, ground beef or chicken tenders. The Lilac Hedge shaved steak is amazing, as are their steak tips.
Their farming practices are admirable, and their marketing is spot on. I’m always happy to support a good local small business, and I read every email from Farmer Ryan MacKay, and learn something every time. Start here: Lilac Hedge Farm, and I bet you continue reading for longer than you plan to. They’ve got a kitchen, farm bar, events, overnight rentals, live entertainment, animals and so much more! You can visit Lilac Hedge Farm at 216 Wachusett Street in Rutland. Now that we’ve connected with Lilac Hedge, I feel really good about what we’re eating, and to be supporting a local small business.
Back in about 2009, I attended a series of food movies at a local naturopathic doctor’s office. One film that really stuck with me was Food, Inc. I had dragged my little daughter along to the movie, so she’s been very fast-food-aware, and meat-aware since then, as she always reminds me. I’ve actually never eaten in a fast food restaurant again since watching Food, Inc.–if you’re bored and want to watch something eye-opening.
