There are many independent butchers to choose from in the Illawarra. A conservative estimate is more than 20 independent retail and wholesale butcheries between Helensburgh and Albion Park.

One of my favourites is Cleaver and Co Quality Meats at Gwynneville. They specialise in “ethically and responsibly sourced meat direct from the farm to your dining table”. West Wollongong local Lachy Kerr has owned the business since 2016. He and his partner took it on while still in their 20s with a vision to have a “direct line of sight between the consumer and the producer”, like it used to be.

Lachy entered the industry straight out of school but was sceptical about the “dodgy practices” and “ambiguous answers” he received when asking about the origin of meat. His dream was to sell responsibly raised meat from NSW farmers. He has now personally visited every farm that supplies his butchery and has a relationship with 20-plus small independent farms who supply him with high-quality beef, pork, chicken and lamb.

The team takes delivery of whole carcasses and uses old-fashioned butchery techniques to break down the animals. You may be encouraged to buy some of the lesser-known cuts in preference to the popular, more expensive cuts. Ask any of the staff and they will tell you which portions are good for which purpose, and give you advice on how to cook them.

Lachy wants to see other shops like Cleaver and Co sourcing farm direct meats to change the industry for the better.

Visit the Cleaver & Co. Quality Meats website and check out Lachy's recipe for beef stroganoff