Stand by Your Ham: supporting British pig farmers this Christmas

Have you ever found yourself thinking, "did pork taste better 10 years ago?" Well, there’s a good reason for this. The taste of free-range pork carries a distinct "porkiness" and memorable flavour that goes back to a time when farming practices prioritised animal welfare, natural living conditions and a slower, more natural growth process. When pigs are reared with care, the meat has a depth with a subtle sweetness and earthiness from being able to forage, and a juicy and tender texture from being raised with space to move. This develops muscle texture that is not tough or overly lean, and a balanced fat content that keeps the meat moist while cooking.

Unfortunately, in recent years, the majority of pig production in the UK and across Europe has shifted towards intensive factory farming methods to keep up with customer demand. This method of farming prioritises high volume production, quick turnaround, and cost-efficiency, which comes at the expense of animal welfare and results in an inferior quality of meat.

However, there is a silver lining – a small group of dedicated British pig farmers who uphold ethical free-range practices. We source our pork from some of the last remaining pig farmers in the UK. Here are just a few of the reasons it’s the best pork you can buy:

1. Truly free-range (not outdoor bred)

2. Reared on the Sidmouth cliffs with fresh sea air (not outdoor reared or outdoor bred)

3. Low stocking density and never locked in (not outdoor reared or outdoor bred)

4. Slowly reared for flavour (not outdoor reared or outdoor bred)

5. Naturally farrowed with no sow stalls (not outdoor reared or outdoor bred)

But without support from customers, they won’t be able to continue. In recent years, the price of pork has been rising across the UK, and the people who work tirelessly to produce it sustainably – our British pig farmers – aren’t being paid fairly and are struggling to make ends meet. One of the primary reasons for rising prices of pork products is the increasing cost of production. British pig farmers are faced with numerous challenges, including the rising costs of animal feed, veterinary care, and overhead expenses. These costs can significantly impact their livelihoods, making it difficult to maintain sustainable farming practices and for customers to experience having a direct connection with the source of their food.

Pork is a classic ingredient in countless Christmas recipes, whether it’s honey-glazed, smoked or roasted to perfection with a dollop of apple sauce and side of crackling. Can you imagine tucking into your Christmas dinner only to find your plate without pigs in blankets and stuffing? No honey glazed ham for leftovers on boxing day? As we get ready to indulge in our annual festive feasts, it’s essential to consider where our food comes from and the impact of our choices on local livelihoods.

This Christmas, we invite you to join our Stand by Your Ham campaign to support the last of our British pig farmers. When you add our free-range pork products to your festive table, you make a significant impact to the livelihoods of farmers who bring us the pork we love and ensure "pork like it used to taste like" is a tradition we pass down instead of letting die out.

On behalf of Field & Flower, thank you for helping us to safeguard sustainable, free-range farming for future generations.