The culinary world mourns the loss of Jered Standing, a renowned Los Angeles butcher and advocate for ethical meat sourcing, who passed away at the age of 44. His death, reported on February 22 by the Los Angeles County medical examiner-coroner, has left a profound impact on the community he served and inspired.
Jered Standing Butcher Death
In 2017, Jered Standing embarked on a journey to revolutionize the meat industry by establishing Standing’s Butchery in Hancock Park. His shop quickly gained recognition as a beacon of ethical and sustainable meat sourcing. Standing’s commitment to thoughtful sourcing and personalized service set a new standard in the industry.
According to Kelsey Lee, wholesale sales manager of Four Star Seafood, Standing’s influence extended far beyond the confines of his shop. “He was largely responsible for [getting many] Los Angeles chefs [to] consider the way that they source their ingredients,” Lee remarked.
Standing’s dedication to animal welfare led him to source directly from farmers who prioritized free-range habitats, heritage breeds, and all-grass diets.
Educating and Inspiring
Standing’s Butchery was more than just a place of business; it was a hub for education and community engagement. Through intimate butchery classes and online outreach via social media, Jered Standing taught customers the importance of closed-loop farming and sustainable practices.
Justin Pichetrungsi, the James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef of Anajak Thai, reflected on Standing’s impact: “You don’t get many opportunities to learn those things transparently… There are a lot of gatekeepers in the world of sourcing, and he was just not one of those.”
A Journey of Transformation
Jered Standing’s journey into the world of butchery was driven by a desire for change. Raised as a vegetarian, he was deeply troubled by the practices of factory farming. However, he recognized that true change could only come from within the industry.
In an interview with Los Angeles Magazine, Standing emphasized the importance of conscious consumerism: “Not eating meat doesn’t put any pressure on the industry to change like being a conscious meat eater does.”
A True Pioneer
Despite facing financial challenges, including sleeping in his car and on a friend’s couch, Jered Standing remained undeterred in his pursuit of a more sustainable meat system. His dedication and passion for butchery led him to open his shop, where he became a driving force for change in the industry.
Eagle Yu, a fellow butcher inspired by Standing’s principles, shared his admiration: “You’d be hard-pressed to find someone more passionate about the craft of butchery and dedicated to the cause for pasture-raised meats than Jered.”
Jered Standing Passed Away
Jered Standing’s tragic death has left a void in the culinary world, but his legacy continues to inspire. His commitment to ethical meat sourcing and sustainable practices has left an indelible mark on the industry.
As Standing once reflected, “I spend a lot of my time focused on the future. Thinking about all that I want and don’t yet have. But occasionally I do allow myself time to look back and reflect. To see how far I’ve come.”
In honoring his memory, let us continue to champion the values of ethical butchery and sustainable agriculture that Jered Standing held dear.