Grass-fed meat in NJ: Lima Family Farm in Hillsborough

A friend recently told me that a good source for a wide variety of grass-fed meat in central NJ is Lima Family Farm in Hillsborough, and when I checked out their website I saw that they sell a full range of pasture-raised meat: pork, lamb, beef, and poultry (including heritage breeds).

We had been on the lookout for a good source of grass-fed meat in central New Jersey, especially poultry. During summer we buy pork, lamb, and beef from Cherry Grove Farm, who sell at the Metuchen Farmers Market (they’re located in Lawrenceville), and once or twice a year we make a pilgrimage to Readington River Farm in Flemington, who sell grass-fed bison. (Click here to read our post about Readington River Farm.) Until recently, though, the only local source I knew for grass-fed chicken was Griggstown Farm.

On a very cold Saturday last weekend, we drove up to Hillsborough. We were delighted with the on-site market at Lima Family Farm! They sold a very wide range of meats, as well as pastured eggs and winter produce such as apples, onions, potatoes, and daikon. The farm staff were extremely friendly and we were free to wander among the pastures, paying a visit first to a flock of happy chickens lorded over by a gigantic, grumpy turkey, then to a field occupied by a small herd of Black Angus cows.

We purchased several cuts of beef, pork, and lamb, two roasting chickens, and a big bag of mottled green apples. I don’t remember the name of the apple type but they made deliciously sweet, fragrant, and juicy applesauce. I roasted one of their “Freedom Ranger” chickens last week and Kyo commented that it tasted “more chickeny” than the chicken you get at the supermarket.

We highly recommend Lima Family Farms (826 Amwell Road in Hillsborough, NJ). Their winter hours are Fridays 1 to 5 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 10 am to 4 pm.