The Eau Claire Distillery in Turner Valley is using Alberta Open Farm Days to promote Alberta Sustainable Beef.

Not only are they opening their distillery and farms to the public this weekend for tours to see how all the grain used is harvested with horses, they're also hosting a three course beef dinner.

Beef from CL Ranches will be used for the meal, and renowned Canadian beef industry expert, Cherie Copithorne-Barnes will be on hand to explain what sustainable beef programs across Alberta mean to consumers.

Copithorne-Barnes says they'll discuss lesser known cuts of beef.

"We're really excited about being able to share some of the lesser known cuts. In sustainability we need to have the efficiency of being able to use the whole animal."

She says it's very important to educate consumers on sustainable beef to change the environmental stigma that's growing against the beef industry.

"From the producer side we've been talking about sustainability and the framework for a number of years but now we need to educate consumers on what certified sustainable really means, and get them starting to ask for it." She says "With all the issues over the past weeks in regards to green house gas emissions we know the work that we've done from a scientific perspective is top notch, and we've proven the Canadian beef industry is a leader in the world. Now we need to get our own consumers to understand they don't need to feel guilty about eating Canadian beef! It's the best there is!"

President and Founder of Eau Claire Distillery David Farran says it's a story of farm to plate that everyone should be familiar with.

"Cherie’s leadership in this area is both inspirational and ground-breaking. We all need to hear about the leadership position Canadians have made in responsible and sustainable beef
production."

Tickets are $125.00 including transport from Calgary, or $98.00 without.

Organizers are asking guests to make a small donation either at the dinner or online in support of the Alex Community Food Centre as well.

The Eau Claire Distillery hosts a farm dinner series each Friday from May to October featuring speakers and topics relating to Alberta’s agri-food industry and producers, all while attendees enjoy fun, food and education in a farm-to-table setting.

For more information or tickets visit their website.

 

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