At PA Preferred® Locust Point Cattle Co. in York County, owners Chris and Leigh Moul produce high quality beef products that keep customers coming back for more. Their Black Angus cattle roam open pastures and live naturally while the Mouls process and distribute their beef products locally and sustainably. The difference is in every bite, and their customers return again and again for the fresh, gourmet meat.
The Mouls spent two decades living on the West Coast before moving back to their native Pennsylvania. Here, they’ve fused Chris’ background in farming, expertise in environmentalism and a health-driven farm-to-table ethos on their thriving cattle farm. They keep the business on a scale that feeds the local community and economy, processing 6-8 cattle per month based on mostly direct-to-consumer orders and some wholesale clients. Instead of shipping, which can have negative environmental impacts, they use their central position to reach metropolitan markets in Baltimore, Harrisburg and Philadelphia. Their primary outlet is the Central Market York, where they’ve sold for nearly a decade.
Interacting with shoppers face to face is one of Leigh Moul’s favorite aspects of her work. “We have so many regulars. I love the market aspect of our business because I get to know our customers, and I know what they’re looking for and how I can help them,” she says. Likewise, being a part of PA Preferred® has helped her network and recommend other members. “The root of Pennsylvania is farming, and I love learning what other people are doing.”
The Mouls take pristine care of their animals. Locust Point Cattle Co. is Certified Grassfed and Animal Welfare Approved by A Greener World, evidence on paper of the special treatment its cattle receives. The 100% grass-fed Black Angus herd has constant access to the outdoors. “They’re never penned in,” Moul says. “They eat grass in the fields all summer and, through winter and fall, we find local feed suppliers for silage.” She cannot remember the last time they used antibiotics, which they avoid unless necessary. Processing is fast (“almost immediate”) to avoid undue stress or suffering. The humane and healthy treatment all adds up to a superior result.
“We’re very proud of our product,” Moul says. “Once people have our meat, I think they understand that what, why and how we do things really does make a difference in the quality of the beef.”
Among their many products, Moul says ground beef is quite popular and there’s a waiting list for filet mignon. Delmonicos, New York strip steaks and chuck roasts are big sellers too, though she’s working on introducing customers to lesser-known cuts. One such portion is the tri tip. “It’s one of our family favorites,” she says. This triangular, boneless cut comes from the bottom sirloin and offers excellent, rich flavor and marbling. “They’re not super expensive, you can feed a whole bunch of people with them, and they taste very good.” Tri tips can be scored, seasoned and thrown right on the grill or even cooked in the oven.
Locust Point Cattle Co. also offers a Farmer’s Choice Box, a collection of ground beef, roasts, beef cubes, short ribs, brisket, shaved steak and overstock items. This allows for a true sampling of the quality Locust Point achieves.
Moul says, “We just want to keep providing our quality product to people, wherever we can reach them.”
You can find Locust Point Cattle Co. products at Central Market York as well as markets, butchers and restaurants throughout central Pennsylvania and northern Maryland. You can also order its products online for delivery in York County or pickup at Central Market York or Locust Point Cattle Co. farm. Follow Locust Point on its Facebook and Instagram pages to stay in the loop! 3205 W. Canal Rd., Dover; (717) 308-7534.
This series was created in collaboration with PA Preferred.
PA Preferred® is Pennsylvania’s statewide branding program that promotes locally grown and processed food and other agricultural products.
- Feature photo and second photo: Hospodar Photos for Locust Point Cattle Co.
- All other photos: Locust Point Cattle Co.
