What’s it like to buy a Quarter?
Everything you need to know…
In the past, buying large quantities of meat to fill freezers was a common thing. My grandparents rented a locker freezer in Kutztown for their quarter or half of beef because their large chest freezer at home was full of frozen garden goodness. Buying bulk meat has become less and less common with the convenience of grocery stores, but over the past couple years it has been making a resounding comeback. So how does it work? If you are new to buying bulk meat, it can be intimidating to decide what cuts you might want or to know how much freezer space you need. Here is the run down of all those frequently asked questions that I get all the time as a beef farmer.
Why do people buy meat in bulk?
Everyone has a different reason for why they might order a quarter of beef from our farm. Sometimes they have a large family. Sometimes they care about purchasing from a local farmer. Sometimes they want their beef raised in a particular way and fed particular food (100% grass fed). Often it comes down to quality for the price. When you buy in bulk from us, you get premium meat for a fraction of the cost when you buy from Whole Foods, Giant or even your local butcher.
How much freezer space do I need for a quarter of beef?
Generally, we say that you need freezer space the size of a standard freezer on a freezer/refrigerator combo with nothing else in it. Our grain fed quarters are a bit larger and our pastured pork halves would need a little less space, but that is a good rule of thumb.
How much meat will I get in my order?
For our beef quarters, you take home approximately 80-130 lbs. of meat and a variety of different cuts.
What types of cuts do I choose from?
When you order your quarter, you get to choose what cut you want to receive. Our order form lays out your choices. You will generally receive a large variety of steaks (including NY Strip, Filet, T-Bone, or Delmonico) and steaks (including, Chuck, Prime Rib, Sirloin Tip) and other assorted cuts. You receive around 30-50 lbs. of ground beef in a quarter in addition to a number of cuts.
What is the difference between grass-fed and grain-fed?
We sell both grass-fed beef and grain-fed beef on our farm.
Our grass-fed animals are 100% grass fed (only fed on pasture and hay) and have access to pasture throughout their entire lives. The meat is lean and has a high quality flavor as well as a yellower fat that some say is healthier for our bodies.
Our grain-fed animals are sold in partnership with our next door neighbor. They are 100% grain fed and do not have access to pasture. The meat is fattier and has a high quality flavor. The animals are fed and cared for in a way that meets natural standards.
How does pricing work?
Since you are purchasing a quarter of an animal, the pricing is based on the hanging weight of the animal. This weight is before the butcher carves the meat into cuts. We charge $5.10 per lb. for the hanging weight of our grass-fed beef (estimated total price $800-$900). We charge $4.50 per lb. for the hanging weight of our grain-fed beef ($900-$1000).
When can I get my order?
Grain Fed Beef: January 2021
Grass Fed Beef: June 2021
Pasture Pork: October 2021
How do I order?
Our 2021 ordering season is now open. The next available quarters are going to be ready for pick up in January - Grain-fed Quarters and June- Grass-fed Quarters.
To order, all you need to do is add a quarter to your cart in our online store, fill out the order form that pops up and pay a $100.00 deposit to reserve your order.
Click here to order: Order Now
How do I pick up my order?
We do pick ups of our bulk meats on a Saturday morning or Friday evening. We will contact you close to the date to give you a day and time to pick up your order. All orders are picked up at our farm in Fleetwood at 270 Hoch Road, Fleetwood PA 19522. We accept cash, check and card (with an additional 2.75% convenience fee).
Any other questions, I am always happy to answer! 2021 orders are going quickly, so make sure to get on our list for bulk meats.