FAQs
If your question isn’t answered below, feel free to email us: hello@ggwfoods.co.uk. We’d be delighted to hear from you!
WILD
What is wild meat?
The venison and pheasant meat used in our meals is sourced from wild habitats. This means these animals and birds lived out their days roaming, nesting and nourishing themselves in the British countryside ie were unfarmed.
The life cycle of the wild red deer used by Girl Gone Wild is entirely natural, with no human intervention. Pheasants are not native to the British countryside (even though they have become emblematic over the years), and pheasant poults- or youngsters to you and I - are bred
Why is there so much wild meat in the UK?
There are two separate supply systems between venison and pheasant; both are generating huge volumes of meat annually - which is why we started Girl Gone Wild!
Dealing with venison first; the UK’s wild deer population is estimated to be at its highest level for a thousand years (BASC.org.uk), and there are thought to be over two million deer living in our countryside and semi-urban areas in Britain. With no predators, ample food supply and increasing woodland cover, deer levels are becoming imbalanced in certain areas of the country. The management of the our national deer herd involves culling, which is why this meat is available.
Pheasant meat supply is the result of shooting; an ancient and legitimate countryside activity which has, in recent decades, seen significant upscaling. The result is lots of game bird meat for which there isn’t huge demand at home, meaning much of this meat is exported to foreign markets where it’s more popular.
Why is wild meat good for me?
Venison and pheasant meats are naturally high in protein and low in fat and cholesterol, offering optimal Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acids, akin to salmon. They are also rich in iron, vitamin B12, niacin, phosphorus, zinc, riboflavin and linoleic acid for a healthy heart.
What does the disclaimer about lead shot mean?
“Consuming lead is harmful, health experts advise to minimise lead consumption as much as possible. Anyone who eats lead-shot game should be aware of the risks posed by consuming large amounts of lead, especially children and pregnant women”
Historically, wild meat (particularly feathered game) has been dispatched using lead ammunition, and although our meat is thoroughly ferrous metal detected and vet-checked when processed, it is important for consumers to feel informed. For further reading: https://www.food.gov.uk/safety-hygiene/lead-shot-game. Please note, the Food Safety Authority states that there is no official safe limit for lead.
We regularly test our products ensure that lead detectin
What is Girl Gone Wild’s position on shooting?
Girl Gone Wild/ Mel doesn’t shoot (and never has!), nor are we a lobby group. Blood sport is a legal activity and there many people lobbying both ways on the subject. We respect there are different views and wish to remain focused on food production.
FOOD
Where are Girl Gone Wild’s meals made?
Our meals are made in the North West by a family-run company, Althams Fine Foods, who are absolutely brilliant at what they do! Their chef, Gav, has worked with Mel on a couple of her own recipes and added his own stamp to develop of our launch range. They are also accredited to the highest level (BRC AA).
Can your dishes be microwaved from frozen?
Our products are best cooked in the oven, as per the cooking guidelines on our sleeve. Having said that, you can easily microwave your meals if you pop them out of their foil tray and place in a similar sized dish. As our meals are fully cooked before freezing, this is simply ‘heating up’, so we recommend 8 - 12 minutes with a stir every couple of minutes. Please note that our pheasant is melt-in-the-mouth tender, so additional stirring will cause it to break down into a more ‘pulled’ consistency.
How long can I stash my meals in the freezer?
Our meals come with a huge “shelf life” of twelve months, this is the beauty of preserving food by freezing…
Where do you source your wild meats?
All the wild meat in our dishes is 100% UK-sourced. We have two excellent supply Partners; Highland Game is based in the Scottish lowlands and source their venison from the Highlands and other areas of the country. Shardale Game is based in North Yorkshire, and they supply our pheasant meat.
DELIVERY
How do you charge for delivery?
Delivery is free on any order over £50. Under that value I’m afraid we have to charge a delivery rate of £7.99 as our courier and packaging charges are fixed whether you order one or twenty meals!
What happens if I’m not in when my meals are delivered?
Our delivery boxes are fully insulated so your food will remain frozen until you’re home. If you anticipate being out and would like to designate a safe place for our courier, please leave instructions when you place your order. If not, the driver will leave your box in a sensible location or with a close neighbour.
Is your packaging recyclable?
Our packaging is fully recyclable - our outer box, and any inner cardboard boxes and packaging sleeves can be included in household recycling. Our wood liners are 100% sheep’s wool, so biodegradable and compostable. You can re-purpose this liner in lots of ways when you need temperature control - cool boxes, supermarket freezer bags, picnics and long car journeys etc. If you want to dispose of it, we recommend removing the recyclable plastic outer layer, and burying, composting or donating it to your local clothes bank.
Can I choose a time slot for delivery?
Your meals will be dispatched the working day before your confirmed delivery date. Our courier, DPD, guarantees delivery by 1pm the day of delivery and an hourly slot will be confirmed directly by them.
MY ORDER
How do I change or add to my order?
If you have made a mistake or would like to add to your order, drop us a line at orders@ggwfoods.co.uk and we’ll be delighted to amend this for you.
How do I know my order has been confirmed?
Once we have received your order (confirmed with payment), we will send an email to acknowledge that your order is underway and to say a huge thank you for supporting us!