Hand Sourced is on a mission to change the way people source and consume meat

We connect ethical Aussie farmers with conscientious consumers who want meat that has been grown, bred, and processed without harmful chemicals or interventions.

Hand Sourced emerged from Shirley Harring’s experience as a food writer and researcher with Fairfax, where she discovered a significant gap in the market. While chefs often provided detailed provenance-based information about fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and seeds, the protein sources often lacked transparency.

Where did it come from? How was it bred? What did the animal eat? Was it grass fed or raised on hormones?

Driven by a desire to create positive change, Shirley took long service leave from her teaching career to pursue a master’s degree in gastronomy, focusing on heritage breeds of poultry. Through her research, she stumbled upon the revelation that such breeds were not common in Australia, and that the majority of meats available to Australians are full of toxins, hormones, and other additives. On top of this, the animals often aren’t treated humanely and lead stressed lives, which affects the quality and health benefits of the meat.

As someone who suffers from an autoimmune condition, Shirley – while writing her thesis – found it eye-opening to discover how genetically selective breeding of animals and poultry has contributed to health conditions in humans. Deeper research opened alarming insights about the chemicals permitted in the so-called “natural foods” fed to animals, and the amount of poison and chemicals that exist in food processing in commercial abattoirs.

Shirley started to speak publicly about the lack of heritage and rare breeds in Australia and how this deficit was linked with health problems, economic problems, big pharma, and massive overseas financial gain. Through her talks, she discovered that people were eager to make a change but didn’t know how or where to buy the products. As it transpired, most of these products are grown and raised on boutique farms by people who have a deep commitment to their belief systems. It is almost impossible to buy these products in mainstream.

 

Hand Sourced is a solution

 

She developed Hand Sourced as a bridge between boutique farmers and conscientious consumers.

The business operates in complete transparency, so that consumers can understand the origins of the meat they’re eating and feel confident that it’s pasture-raised with no chemicals, hormones, additives, or nasties.

Hand Sourced only stocks meats that are chemical and synthetic-feed free. All sourced animals live active, outdoor lives, and are processed using air chilling and hand finishing techniques.

 

We only work with ethical farmers

 

We develop relationships with farmers who are committed to making a positive impact on the world. We work only with small, boutique Australian producers who breed, raise, and process on farm, and maintain chemical-free chains from conception to finished product.

These farmers have dedicated years to working with genetics, and breed progeny on farm, to develop full blood produce that does not suffer the pathological issues of their overbred or thoroughly stressed-out cousins.

Shirley never goes looking for a supply chain – in every instance to date, the farmer or producer has come to her, asking to be linked with Hand Sourced because of value alignment. Without Hand Sourced, most of these farms would not have survived.

By purchasing meat through Hand Sourced, not only does the consumer benefit from a vastly superior, significantly healthier product, but they can also know that they’re contributing to the viability of farms that reject unethical, large-scale production of intensively bred stock.
Hand Sourced operates within the principles of Social Enterprise, which means that they return 100% of the costs to the producer.

 

Our customers are unique

 

We cater to a diverse group of unique, conscientious consumers, including food-loving connoisseurs who happily invest in rare and premium goods, health-conscious individuals seeking products free from allergens or additives, ethical consumers objecting to conventional farming practices, and those who prefer to buy in bulk to save money while enjoying top-notch quality.

We also serve chefs, restaurants, butchers, and food service venues that share our vision of promoting a better quality of eating proteins.

 

We are making a positive impact

 

We want to make a positive impact on animal welfare, human health, environmental sustainability, and ethical practices.

We are working toward a future in which Hand Sourced’s products grace the shelves of many high-end butchers, meat wholesalers, and restaurants.
We want to better educate the market about the health benefits, ethical sourcing, and moral background of the meats we eat.

Recognition from ABC Landline, Australian Food Sovereignty, AHA, and Telstra Business highlights our contribution to ethical food supply so far.

Hand Sourced isn’t just about selling meat; it’s a call to action for conscientious consumers to embrace ethical choices and celebrate the diverse flavours and stories that food brings into our lives. In a world filled with convoluted food choices, Hand Sourced offers transparency and a deep devotion to ethical practices, which empowers consumers to make informed decisions aligned with their values.  Eat better meat, and less of it. By supporting Hand Sourced, consumers contribute to a healthier body, a healthier planet and a healthier future.