Butcher Lachy Kerr from Cleaver & Co Quality Meats in Wollongong where he sources direct from NSW farms, taking whole carcases and closing the gap from producer to plate.
The Birth of Cleaver & Co Quality Meats
Lachy Kerr, a young butcher from Wollongong, is the owner of Cleaver & Co Quality Meats. He is on a mission to change the way people think about meat by sourcing it directly from NSW farmers he has personally met and formed relationships with. The focus at Cleaver & Co is on whole animals, ensuring they are free-range, grass-fed, and grass-finished wherever possible.
From Apprenticeship to Ownership
Lachy's journey into butchery started with a four-year apprenticeship and stints at various shops in his local area. Eventually, he found himself at Cleaver & Co, and when the opportunity to buy the business arose, he took the plunge at the age of 24, newly married, and never looked back. He was drawn to the community aspect of being a local butcher and wanted to provide customers with a direct connection to the source of their meat.
A Direct Line from Producer to Consumer
Lachy's vision for Cleaver & Co was to bridge the gap between the customer and the farmer. He sought to be able to look his customers in the eye and tell them exactly where their meat came from, how it was raised, and what it was fed. This ethos is at the core of Cleaver & Co, with a strong focus on minimizing environmental impact.
A Network of Like-Minded Producers
To fulfill his commitment to sourcing the best meat, Lachy has built relationships with over 20 farms. He looks for free-range as a minimum, with a preference for grass-fed and grass-finished options. Some of the producers are certified organic or biodynamic, while others adhere to strict personal principles. The common thread among them is a shared vision of dealing directly with customers and ensuring the quality of their products.
Growing a Team of Young Butchers
Lachy initially started Cleaver & Co on his own, but with determination and a clear vision, he has grown the business to support a team of six young butchers. He prefers hiring apprentices, as they can be trained to align with his vision and the values of the business. The team supports the movement towards sourcing farm-direct meats.
Educating the Public and the Trade
Lachy's future vision for the butchery trade in Australia includes seeing more shops like Cleaver & Co that source farm-direct meats. He aims to change the perception that meat is bad for the environment by emphasizing that it's not that simple. He also wants butchers to educate themselves and more people to be attracted to the trade. He envisions a revival of traditional butchery and a return to the roots of the craft, emphasizing customer relationships and quality.
A Love for Tradition and Community
Lachy Kerr's approach to butchery is deeply rooted in tradition and community. He values the old-world charm and the opportunity to engage with customers, know their names, and understand their preferences. For Lachy, butchery is a fulfilling and meaningful trade that he believes should be preserved and shared with the next generation.