Heritage Foods is a company that claims to specialize in heritage breeds of livestock. These are supposed to be cleaner and better-tasting than industrially farmed animals. But, are the company's claims of having better meat, correct? We decided to test these claims by conducting a complete Heritage Foods review.
What is Heritage Foods?
Heritage Foods is an online marketplace to shop for meats from around the country. The company is headquartered in New York City, New York, and has been in business since 2001. They primarily focus on wholesale and delivery of heritage breed animals.
These are the more traditional livestock breeds, the foundation of the food supply before modern factory farming. Because these animals often take longer to develop and don’t yield as much meat, they are less popular for industrial farmers looking to maximize profits. Heritage Foods sells beef, poultry, lamb, goat, and pork to individuals and restaurants around the United States.
Our agricultural history and gastronomic identity find their roots in heritage breeds. Each breed showcases a unique culinary tradition, embodying distinct flavors thanks to their pure genetic lineage. The marbling in heritage meats ensures their juicy tenderness and delivers a profound taste with exceptional depth. These breeds hold a significant connection to the origins of settled agriculture, predating industrial farming. At our establishment, you can indulge in our outdoor seating area, savoring the flavors of heritage meats.
- Heritage breed meat options
- Wagyu and other high-end meats
- Pasture fed and antibiotic-free
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Complicated shipping tiers
- Limited online reviews
- No seafood options
- Higher priced than similar companies
Heritage Foods Food Menu
The company has an extensive line of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and goats. They offer some unique options, such as Wagyu and dry-aged beef. Some of their most popular choices in each category include:
Beef
- Bone-in Wagyu Ribeye Steak
- Long Bone Cowboy Steak
- Signature Wagyu Porterhouse Steak
- Wagyu Tenderloin Roast
Pork
- Breaded Heritage Pork Cutlets
- Porterhouse Pork Chops
- Ground Pork
- Whole Pork Shank
Poultry
- Fresh Whole Heritage Turkey
- Whole Chicken
- Whole Duck
Lamb and Goat
- Leg of Lamb
- Lamb Loin Chops
- Goat Loin Chops
- Racks of Goat Ribs
Related Article: The Difference Between Lamb and Goat
What’s the Meat Quality?
Because Heritage Foods deals only with high-quality heritage breed livestock, their meat quality is relatively high.
These types of livestock are known for being more flavorful than their industrial farmed relatives (1).
To test these claims, we ordered one of the Wagyu Ribeye steaks. The order arrived still frozen and was easy to thaw and cook.
The meat was tender and buttery, exactly how Wagyu is supposed to be. The flavor was rich and clean with a fresh grass-fed taste.
Heritage Foods Price Range
This is one point where we knocked a few points off of our review. Heritage Foods products are generally higher than similar meats and other delivery companies such as ButcherBox.
This is likely because they deal only with heritage breed livestock. Because heritage livestock doesn’t develop as fast, it takes longer for the animals to be ready for processing.
These animals also generally produce less yield as they haven’t been genetically altered to grow more meat.
Heritage Foods Guarantee
Heritage Foods has one of the best guarantees we’ve come across when reviewing online meat box companies. Many of the companies that we’ve reviewed in the past will offer a credit or replacement instead of refunds due to the product’s perishable nature.
Heritage Foods, however, claims they will issue a refund if a person is not fully satisfied. From the reviews that we have read of the company, they stand behind this guarantee and honor it if a customer calls with complaints.
Heritage Foods Complaints
The majority of the complaints from users are regarding orders arriving thawed out. From our experience, all online meat delivery companies have this issue on occasion. Because packages are frozen, there is always a chance that any delays or problems with the shipping company could lead to them arriving thawed.
Reviews
Our Heritage Foods review found that the company has well-raised livestock with quick delivery times. Their loyalty program is nice since we’ve not come across other companies that have one. It’s also good to note that they have a solid satisfaction guarantee.
Related Reviews:
Customer reviews
Heritage Foods has mostly positive reviews online. Most of the comments come from people who are happy with the flavor of their heritage breed livestock. Many of the reviewers also noted the company has good customer service and is quick to respond to deliveries.
Such delicious meat! I love their turkey for Thanksgiving.
- Lisa Q. Fetterman, Verified Facebook Reviewer (2)
The meat delivery company has over 13,000 followers on its official Facebook page. They have a rating of five out of five stars. However, it’s important to note that only ten users have left reviews (3).
Heritage Foods vs ButcherBox
The biggest difference between the two meat delivery services is the menu.
While ButcherBox specializes in beef, pork, chicken, and seafood, Heritage Foods also sells turkey, lamb, mutton, goat, cured meats, and meal kits. However, they do not have any seafood.
Another difference between the two companies is their system. While ButcherBox is an exclusive subscription service, Heritage Foods lets customers shop a la carte with no minimum order.
Both companies follow very similar sourcing practices for their meat, ensuring everything is humanely raised without any antibiotics or steroids.
FAQs
What are heritage livestock?
Heritage livestock are unique breeds that develop slower than the livestock commonly used in industrial farming. These are usually the early livestock breeds that were eaten in the world. Many people consider these animals to be healthier due to not being altered the same as industrial farming animals.
What is the Heritage Foods loyalty program?
Heritage Foods loyalty program is a unique benefits program set up for customers who frequently make purchases from the company. The loyalty program works by providing gifts to people who make a certain number of orders. The program starts at every fifth order, with the best being 25 orders.
Where does Heritage Foods ship to?
Heritage Foods ships to the entire continental United States plus Alaska and Hawaii. All orders are shipped using normal shipping channels with the option to ship overnight for an extra fee. For people placing orders for Thanksgiving turkeys, all orders will ship on the 19th and 24th of November.
Is Heritage Foods Worth Your Money?
After a thorough Heritage Foods review, we find that the company is a good source for heritage breed meats. But when it comes to subscription box deliveries, we prefer to order from ButcherBox. The company has exclusive meat types like heritage breed pork and pasture-raised chicken. They also provide deals on wild-caught seafood.
We are impressed with how you can curate your own box and have it delivered to your doorstep, free of charge. We also like that ButcherBox provides plenty of easy to follow recipes for people in a hurry. To order your first subscription box, check out ButcherBox today.
#1 Meat Delivery Service
ButcherBox
- Grass-fed and grass-finished beef delivered directly to your door
- Without antibiotics or added hormones
- Customizable boxes available
- Select from up to 21 different cuts
- Get the BEST PRICE until the end of November
- No organ meat
