A new business has been set up near Hayle promoting the delights of locally-reared pork.
A Pig of my Own is the brainchild of Shirley Cookson, who breeds and rears rare breed pigs with an emphasis on British Lops, the most endangered of British pigs.
Since moving with her family to their smallholding, the goal has been to keep rare breeds, and help preserve them from dying out through encouraging people to buy a pig at around eight weeks old, and ultimately having it delivered months later as meat cuts of their choice.
Being internet-based, the business can reach customers far and wide, but Cookson is hoping for local customers to keep the ‘food miles’ down.
She also hopes the venture will stimulate interest in food provenance, with the ‘owners’ able to visit their pig at any time.
“It is a fact of life that many people, especially children, do not associate animals with the meat on their plate,” she said. “Customers can, if they wish, come to the farm to pick a pig, or choose one from photos provided, and can come and visit at any time.
“For most people, keeping their own pigs is not a viable option – this way, after choosing their pig, they get delicious meat without the time and effort of raising it themselves.”
