At Skylark Produce, we’re proud of our beef boxes and we’d like to tell you a little more about the quality of the meat and the sustainability of our packaging.
Sustainably produced, prime quality beef
When you buy beef from Skylark Produce you can be assured that it’s of the highest quality. Naturally, it has been carefully hung and butchered, but more than that, all our beef comes from animals that have been bred, reared and cared for in ways that promote sustainability and high welfare.
About our beef
Skylark Produce beef comes from mature Red Poll cows that have enjoyed a long and happy life grazing on wildflower meadows, wood-pasture, coastal marshes and heathland.
You’ll see in the product description for each beef box that we list the cattle’s registration number, age, and the farm where it lived. We believe that traceability is key in producing great beef and we go to great lengths to help you understand the provenance of your food.
Red Poll cattle are a UK native breed developed in the 1800’s by farmers who wanted a dual-purpose animal (meat and milk) that would thrive in the soil conditions and the climate of East Anglia. They were originally a cross between the Suffolk Dun - a dairy cow, and the Norfolk Red - a beef breed. Both of these breeds are now extinct, but the Red Poll has become popular globally.
The cattle are good natured, make excellent mothers and can happily live outdoors all year round on grass. They are robust (not prone to disease) and long lived, and it’s that long life that gives the meat its fine-grained and succulent quality. The body shape of the Red Poll is ideal for beef production…small bones, relatively short legs and a small, but elegant head, means less wastage during butchery.
Many of the animals we used are outdoor reared with great respect given to the environment. Low stocking density means that the areas they graze can thrive without artificial fertilisers or herbicides. If the cattle are not eating processed food, then there is no need to transport feed to them, thus minimising their carbon footprint. At the end of their life, they are taken a short distance to a local abattoir, with the whole process taking part in East Anglia.
The mature cows we use yield meat that has more flavour through it than younger animals due to the many years of eating natural, unprocessed grass and wildflowers. This adds a unique quality that you won’t find at many other British outlets.
Sustainable packaging
It’s not just the beef in our beef boxes is as sustainable as possible. We have worked tirelessly (and continue to do so) to ensure that the packaging has minimal environmental impact.
Skylark Produce beef boxes are delivered to you in recyclable boxes that are lined with WoolCool insulation. Then insulation we use in our boxes is 100% compostable, keeping both fresh and frozen produce at a stable temperature for as long as possible.
We are making good progress too at sourcing plant based vacuum packaging and hope to have that in place by the end of the year.
Which beef box is best for me?
All of our beef boxes contain high quality cuts of beef for you to use in your own recipes.
The Barbecue Beef Box
The Barbecue beef box contains enough yummy beef to feed 4 - 6 hungry adults. But there’s no need to eat it all in one go. Leave some in the freezer for another day.
6 steaks - add your favourite rubs if you want to - or marinate the meat for a couple of hours to enhance the flavour. Quite honestly though, they are delicious just cooked on the grill with nothing but a sprinkling of salt and pepper.
8 Red Poll burgers made with 100% beef and just a little seasoning. Serve with a crunchy green salad or pop them into a bun. A true taste and texture sensation.
Variety Beef Box
Get your whole week’s meals sorted with our variety beef box. From the Sunday roast to a midweek casserole and a spag-bol for your Friday night dinner.
Steak - grill it, fry it, barbecue it. Deliciously tender steak that will melt in your mouth.
Roasting joint - perfect for a family dinner, and if you’re lucky, there’ll be some leftovers for lunch the next day. Beautiful when cooked in a hot oven till it’s just pink, but equally lovely for a one-pot slow cooker meal.
Diced beef - you can’t beat a homemade pie or a hearty beef casserole on a chilly day. Our diced beef can be used in so many different ways. Cook it in ale for a rich flavour or let it simmer in the slow cooker with seasonal veg and beef stock to make a wholesome soup that will stick to your ribs.
Prime mince beef. For a superior spag-bol, a lovely lasagne or a kicking curry, this Red Poll mince will take weekday meals to a whole other level. Best of all, you know that you are nourishing your body with top quality produce.
Build you own beef box
The team at Skylark Produce aim to be as flexible as possible with the contents of our beef boxes. Catering for a special occasion? fussy eater in the family? Tell us what you need, and we can build a bespoke beef box just for you.
Simply call or email us and our friendly staff will help you find the best beef box for your needs.