Want to know exactly where your food comes from? Frustrated with anonymous grocery store labels?
You might want to start buying directly from local farmers near you.
Of course, making the shift can be daunting. Is it convenient? Is it expensive? Is it complicated?
This guide will prove that buying direct from local providers like Blessings Ranch is simpler, smarter, and more rewarding than you think.
Why buy from local farmers?
There are great reasons to buy from local farmers whenever and wherever possible, especially when it comes to buying meat like beef, pork, and chicken. .
- The meat tends to be higher quality
- The meat is usually more nutritious
- Your meat gets raised with integrity
- You skip all the hormones, and all their unpredictable effects
- You support your neighbors by sending your dollar into the local economy instead of to some corporation thousands of miles away.
When you buy from local farmers you get to have a relationship with your food source, and with the people who create it.
Will I spend more buying from a local farmer?
The upfront costs can sometimes seem higher. A bulk share of a cow can give anyone sticker shock for the first time, until they realize how much lower the price per pound is.
Plus, you’re skipping the grocery store and all its temptations: the rows of sugar cereal and unnecessary snacks. If you’ve ever walked in and spent $250 on nothing but junk because you were tired and hungry and the kids were whining, then you know what we mean.
When you buy from your local farm you can focus on essentials. Many cuts of beef can be cooked once and then made into 5 or more additional meals. You plan a little more, and you spend a lot less.
Is buying from your local farm less convenient than going to the grocery store?
Direct buying eliminates multiple weekly trips to different grocery aisles for specialty items. You might make one monthly trip for a few staples like coffee, sugar, and flour, but you won’t spend hours wandering the aisles.
In fact, the logistics are sometimes even simpler than going to the store. If you live within 50 miles of our location you can order online and we’ll deliver the food. You can also schedule a single trip and buy months of food right here from the farm.
What are some simple steps I can take to make the shift?
First, start small. Don’t commit to bulk beef right away, for example. Get one of our ground beef boxes instead. You can test the quality, assess your family’s favorites, and get used to incorporating the farm into your routine.
Second, know how much freezer space you have, and get some supplies that help you maximize it, like good vacuum-seal freezer bags. Creating an organized, pre-labeled freezer makes the entire process stress-free.
Finally, embrace the variety! Buying direct means you get to try cuts of beef you might never even find at the grocery store. Look up new recipes to help you make the most of them!
Start Your New Food Journey at Blessings Ranch
Buying direct from a farmer is a powerful, simple way to build community, to enjoy better quality, and to save money. The barriers are often mental, not practical!
Want to try it out? Order online now or stop by our farm every Thursday through Saturday to meet us in person. We can’t wait to meet you!