Whole Story

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The Tender Story of Icelandic Lamb

By Kate Medley, September 7, 2010  |  Meet the Blogger  |  More Posts by Kate Medley
Icelandic lamb is a wonderfully flavorful, exceptionally lean meat from animals raised with no antibiotics, ever and no added hormones. Pesticides and herbicides are seldom used in Iceland where the climate naturally protects the land. All in all, Icelandic lambs are amazingly robust and live in an idyllic, geographically isolated country' whose strict agriculture regulations protect the integrity of the lamb you are buying.
In early fall, farmers mount spirited, pony-sized Icelandic horses and ride high into the mountains to collect their lambs. Although the lambs wear tiny identifying markers, their owners often recognize them by sight—even from afar. This annual event, called réttir, culminates in a celebration with singing, dancing and traditional delicacies such as lamb soup. But since roundup only happens once a year, fresh Icelandic lamb is, alas, only available from September through early December. Iceland has always been a leader in sustainability, and remains one of the purest environments in the world. There's little pollution. And farming is conducted in a way that preserves the land for future use, incorporating aspects of social responsibility. Through a special arrangement with Iceland, this superb lamb is exclusive to Whole Foods Market. We couldn't be prouder, or more delighted, to offer it to our customers. Note: Icelandic Lamb is not available in all of our stores. Check with your local store for availability, and you should find it in our stores in the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast, North Atlantic, Florida, South, Southwest, Southern Pacific, Pacific Northwest and a few stores in the Midwest.
Category: Farm to Market

 

58 Comments

Comments

joe says ...
Do you currently have rack of lamb for sale at your Santa Barbara store?
02/28/2013 12:24:35 PM CST
Nikki - Community Moderator says ...
@JOE - Since our vendors vary between locations, I would suggest reaching out to the Santa Barbara store at 805-837-6959 for product questions and the butchers will be happy to help you!
03/04/2013 12:10:26 PM CST
Beth Wrege says ...
I am looking for Icelandic lamb. near Tampa, FL.
03/19/2013 6:45:49 PM CDT
Nikki - Community Moderator says ...
@BETH - Our meat vendors vary between locations so I would suggest reaching out to the store in Tampa where you plan to shop. You can reach the location on North Dale at 813.874.9435.
03/22/2013 1:01:10 PM CDT
Donald R Fullington says ...
do you or will you have Icelandic lamb (particularly the leg) for this Easter holiday?
03/24/2013 4:14:21 PM CDT
Nikki - Community Moderator says ...
@DONALD - Our products will vary between locations so I would encourage you to reach out to your local store to see what options they will have!
03/25/2013 2:21:48 PM CDT
Inga Dora Sigfusdottir says ...
Hi, we are having friends over on Saturday night. Can we get Icelandic lamb at your store upper west side New York? Best, Inga Dora
03/27/2013 8:02:40 PM CDT
Nikki - Community Moderator says ...
@INGA - I would reach out to the store you plan to shop at directly as our products vary between locations.
03/29/2013 6:23:52 PM CDT

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