We’re seeing that more and more customers are interested in whole animal meat consumption. Lots of people are buying a half or whole animal, sometimes to share with a friend, and we want to share more about why this trend is taking off and why many farms like ours have chosen to design their businesses to offer half or whole butchered animals for purchase year round.
1. It’s Fun + Convenient
If you’re always buying the same individual cuts you’re missing out on the fun of learning how to use some of the lesser known (and sometimes more nutritious!) cuts…like making a beautiful broth with some bones or rendering fat to use in your home-made pie crusts. It’s also convenient. When you buy in bulk, you have a supply of the highest quality meat to cook for friends and family all season long…even on the days when the market/farm store are closed.
2. It’s More Sustainable
There’s an increasing awareness of the need to reduce waste and become more sustainable with our eating habits. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the UN stated that ⅓ of all food produced is wasted. As more people opt to buy a half or whole animal, the number of wasted retail cuts is reduced, and this helps farms and our greater food community be more sustainable.
3. It’s a Bargain
Buying high quality meat is an investment, and some people would say it’s costly. But when purchasing half or whole animal, you are saving money. For example, we’ve calculated that buying a half pig from us saves $50-100 over the retail price of the individual cuts.
If you’re interested in a buying a side of grass fed beef or lamb, let us know and we would be happy to connect you with some great farmers in the area who practicing sustainable and humane animal husbandry. And if you’re wanting to learn more about buying a half pig, watch Greg’s video below.
Your farmers,
Greg & Jenney
PS – For those who are wondering, our sow Stardust has not delivered yet! We will share pics on social media when they arrive.
PPS-We will be at the BFM in our usual spot this Sunday. Come say hi!