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Getting a steak dinner in Georgetown is now easier thanks to EcoFresh Mart, a family-run South Asian grocery store at 140 Guelph St. Since its soft launch last fall, the store has been offering a unique shopping experience as Halton Hills’ only halal meat shop.
Owned by a Pakistani family, EcoFresh Mart stocks a variety of South Asian goods and features halal meat prepared through hand-slaughtering—a practice valued by many, including non-Muslims. “Seeing is believing,” says patriarch Khurram Danyal. “Customers appreciate watching their meat being cut and packed on-site.” His son, Shaaf Khurram, adds, “Customers can customize their cuts and steaks to their preferences, whether thin, thick, or with specific fat levels.”
The shop’s butcher, Asad Farooq, prepares AAA tenderloins, rib-eye steaks, chicken, ground beef, and pre-marinated options to order. Customers particularly enjoy watching fresh ground beef being made—a service not commonly offered elsewhere. Ayesha Khurram, Shaaf’s mother, highlights the family’s commitment to respecting dietary needs: “Knives used for beef are never used for other meats, ensuring ritual purity.”
EcoFresh Mart also caters to the growing Hindu population in Halton Hills, who avoid beef, by providing alternatives and maintaining strict practices. The family’s focus on reasonable pricing has earned them a diverse customer base, with some even purchasing bones and liver for their pets. Beyond meat, the store offers a variety of groceries, including vibrant spices, whole and ground, and ready-made foods for takeout, making it a one-stop shop for local residents.
