Florence Farmers Market has a unique offering this season of rabbit meat and rabbit products, ethically raised right here in Florence. Raising rabbits for meat is something people have done for hundreds, even thousands of years, but this kind of subsistence is not so common to see these days. Many of us have never had rabbit meat before, let alone had it available to us at a local market.
Raymond grew up on a rabbit farm until the age of 12, and then had rabbits in has backyard for meat until he was 17, so raising rabbits is something he knows well. Recently, he decided to return to rabbit farming and create a business to support himself and his family, and to live a more self sustaining way of life by offering his skills and experience to the local community.
M&R Rabbit Farm offers whole rabbits, rabbit cuts, rabbit burgers, as well as rabbit hides, dried rabbit parts for crafting (also excellent nutritional additions for dogs), and manure in an easy to use “tea bag” for making a nutrient rich infusion that can be directly applied to your plants.
Raymond honors the animal by using every part. The brain is used in the natural tanning process for the hides, the blood is used to feed his compost, and even the manure is used to enrich soil. Raymond loves being part of a self sustaining local food network. His contribution is meaningful.
If you have never tried rabbit before, it is a tender, neutral meat that has a texture a bit like chicken. Rabbit meat is low in fat and lower in calories as compared to other meats, and the highest in protein per gram, compared to pork, chicken or beef. Some people liken it to a chicken pork cross in flavor and texture. But really, it is uniquely its own and I encourage you to try. Stop by the booth to see their offerings, ask any questions and say hello.