STATESBORO, Ga. — A farming family took home the prize in the 2013 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest. Governor Nathan Deal awarded the "Hunter Cattle Fresh Pork Sausage" first place in the meat category. This statewide event was held at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta during the Governor's annual agricultural awareness week.
Hunter Cattle Company is a small family farm located between Savannah and Statesboro, just outside of Brooklet. Hunter Cattle pasture raises beef, pork, poultry, and eggs on their farm, and also handcrafts the meat products in the family farm store.
"It's an honor to be recognized as having a great product. We work very hard to produce healthy, high quality food, in this case our Pork Sausage," said Del Ferguson. Del, along with his wife Debra, son Anthony and daughter Kristan, live and work with their families on the farm.
All of the animals raised on the farm are treated to the Animal Welfare Approved standards, and are allowed to forage and live as close to their natural habitat as possible. The processing facility, although very small in comparison to today’s standard food factory, is inspected and approved by the USDA.
Hunter Cattle products have been well received in the culinary world. Having the handcrafted artisanal link sausage taking the top honor comes off the heels of their first ground beef customer, Green Truck Pub, receiving city, statewide, and national accolades for having the best burgers around. Many great award winning chefs, such as Roberto Leoci of Leoci’s Trattoria, are dedicated to buying local and supporting the Hunter Cattle family and farm.
Kristan is the farms community outreach person. “Because our friends and customers love coming out to the farm so much, we are hosting agritourism events and parties. We even rent out barn lofts for authentic farm stays” she says enthusiastically. “We’re making an effort to teach the next generation about agriculture and food. We offer curriculum based educational tours for schools, scout troops, churches and any group that wants to experience the farm life.”
The Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest is an annual celebration of all of the flavors Georgia has to offer. Food products from across the state are judged and critiqued by a panel of food experts. Entries are judged based on flavor, best use of Georgian ingredients, Georgian theme, unique or innovative qualities, commercial appeal and originality. The Flavor of Georgia is conducted by The University of Georgia, Office of Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
To try Hunter Cattle's award winning Pork Sausage for yourself, the farm invites you to come and taste the difference! "MooMa's Farm Store" is located at 934 Driggers Road, Brooklet, Georgia 30415. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm. Alternatively, email or call to find Hunter Cattle products at stores, farmers markets, and buying co-ops.
For more details, contact Kristan Fretwell by phone at 912.823.2333 or by email at grassfed@huntercattle.com.
Source: Hunter Cattle Company