The Hoax of Buying Beef at a Farmer's Market

Don’t Do It Unless You Know the FarmeR

2-Minute Read

BUSTED !!!

That headline was partly to grab your attention.
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​But it’s true, I don’t buy meat at a farmer’s market… unless I personally know the person or team selling it.
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I’ve had mixed experiences buying meat at farmer’s markets. It’s not that I’ve ever had anything spoiled or rancid, but I’ve bought meat that just didn’t taste good or was too tough. 

Once, a “gentleman” I knew told me NOT to buy his chicken. In his words, “it’s not good.” 

What? That’s crazy! It’s not for people you know, but you’ll sell it to strangers?  Obviously, his ethics are questionable.
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When you’re looking for locally produced, farm-fresh food, you MUST know, like and trust the source you buy from. But that’s the catch: How do you do that?

• Finding good local farms with quality standards that match what you want can be a challenge.

Think about what matters most to you...

• Is it humane treatment of animals? 
• Antibiotic-free products? 
• Or maybe you’re looking for 100% grass-fed meat? 

Whatever it is, the journey to finding local farms that align with your values might take a bit of effort, but trust me, it’s worth it.

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Farmer’s markets are great for many things, especially fresh produce. 

But for meat, they have some downsides. 

• The availability of products can be seasonal, which means you’re only getting what’s in season. 
  
• You can’t always tell the quality of meat just by looking at it.

When it comes to buying meat, I recommend doing some research—just like you would do for any other product. Here’s an idea on how to go about it:

1. Check Out the Farm’s Website - Look for information on the taste and quality of their products. Does the site feel professional? A farm’s website is like its front yard, and it should reflect the care they put into their products.
2. Are They Welcoming?  See if they invite you to visit the farm or show pictures of their setup on the website. Transparency is a good sign.
3. Look for Convenience - Do they accept credit cards? Do they offer home delivery? These are signs they’re organized and care about their customers.
4. Customer Reviews - Reviews are invaluable. You’re looking for reviews from real customers talking about the things you care about, whether that’s humane treatment, quality of meat, or customer service. Make sure there’s a good mix of reviews, too—three reviews from people with the same last name probably aren’t reliable.

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Treat this like any other shopping decision in the 21st century. With a little effort, you’ll find a high-quality, reliable source for your beef, chicken or pork, and you’ll fill your freezer with products you feel good about eating.

Your personal rancher,

Jim
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