I am committed to supplying you, my customers the cuts you want, when you want them. But recently there has been a tremendous increase in orders (partly due to the success of Food, Inc. and FRESH! ) and I have not been able to increase my supply of beef in a short time. I do “buffer” my supply in storage freezers, but until my next butchering date (December 10) my buffer is seriously depleted.
So some of my customers have started planning ahead and ordering in advance in quantities that will last months. I realize this is not how most of us are used to buying food—I am a last-minute shopper, myself. But ordering in advance sure helps your local neighborhood farmer to plan.
I have thought about offering a subscription or “CSA” option whereby a customer can subscribe to a monthly delivery of assorted cuts. I’ve always felt that CSAs limit the consumer’s choice too much. But I’d love to hear your opinion. Would you prefer to give up choice in exchange for a guaranteed, steady supply?
I found your website via http://www.localharvest.org and was very happy to learn about your farm and the methods you use for raising beef. I would absolutely be interested in purchasing in advance or subscribing to a monthly beef CSA. Although I can be a last-minute shopper myself, I would think the true convenience comes from being able to pull delicious meats from the deep freezer at any time! Thanks for what you’re doing!
While I lived in New York, in the Finger Lakes area, we belonged to a meat CSA. We were extremely happy with it. After we try our sample order, if satisfied, I would be VERY INTERESTED in a CSA type option.
I have been dabbling with the idea of leaving the grocery store and heading for the farm lately and as I’ve been shopping around I came across your site. You are nearby and I love idea of a CSA. My husband loves to cook and he gets excited when I bring him home a random piece of meat from the store. I think having a CSA would also fill that roll for him. I’m also excited about the prospect of being able to get chickens from the same source.
Hi Jennifer,
I have not quite sorted out how to configure a CSA, but in the meantime feel free to check in with me on what cuts of beef I have available.