Jake's Country Meats-- Cassopolis, MI

For the first time in a decade of summer pig roasts, we switched from the justifiably lauded Greg Gunthorp's Northeast Indiana meat made famous by Rick Bayless to the less known, more local (to me) Jake's in Cassopolis MI. The Berkshire/Duroc pork, finished feeding in the woods behind the picturesque family farm, was as close to the fresh Iberico that my family enjoyed on the Costa Brava a few years ago as I think I can get in my backyard. The Jake's crew sets up in various local farmers markets, including Logan Square and Green City. Good people, good stuff.

http://www.jakescountrymeats.com/
55721 Decatur Rd, Cassopolis, MI 49031
Phone: (269) 445-3020

I met Nate Robinson (owner of Jake's) a few years ago at a pork-related event -- and that's how he and his farm ended up in my new book, Pigs, Pork, and Heartland Hogs. Great guy, delightful family, wonderful farm, remarkable pigs. Nice to see him getting a little attention here.