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I wish the local farmer could and would make a comeback! I would pay more for local grown food
2/18/2012 11:27:33 AM
I live in a rural area yet I have to drive about 5 miles to small grocery store or get groceries on the way home from work at one of the chain grocery stores (kroger, albertsons etc).
The local grocery store simply sells the same stuff in the big box stores, just at a bit higher price. Either way, I try to support the local store. I just wish they would or could carry more local grown food IF it was non-GMO and grass fed beef/chicken.
What stuns me is the only real place for locally grown produce (forget meat), is the few farmers markets, but those too are a good drive away.
I have commented to others that I kinda predict the comeback of the small family farm if/when oil prices make the transportation costs for bringing in food from across the country or other countries just too expensive.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
In the mean time, I think Im going to get a freezer and start looking for local farmers that sell beef, chickens etc, and just buy enough at one time to make the drive worth it.
Same for produce. Just buy a whole bunch and freeze the extra.
The local grocery store simply sells the same stuff in the big box stores, just at a bit higher price. Either way, I try to support the local store. I just wish they would or could carry more local grown food IF it was non-GMO and grass fed beef/chicken.
What stuns me is the only real place for locally grown produce (forget meat), is the few farmers markets, but those too are a good drive away.
I have commented to others that I kinda predict the comeback of the small family farm if/when oil prices make the transportation costs for bringing in food from across the country or other countries just too expensive.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
In the mean time, I think Im going to get a freezer and start looking for local farmers that sell beef, chickens etc, and just buy enough at one time to make the drive worth it.
Same for produce. Just buy a whole bunch and freeze the extra.
2/18/2012 12:40:20 PM
I grew up inthe city, but since august have lived in a smaller town that has the best supermarket selling local food, often 25% cheaper than walmart.
When i moveback to the city this august i will miss this supermarket more than anything else
When i moveback to the city this august i will miss this supermarket more than anything else
2/18/2012 2:30:19 PM
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
2/18/2012 2:33:50 PM
We have a local grocery store here in the little town I live, that raises, butchers and sells their own pork and beef, not sure they do chicken, but I can be assured, if I want meat, I go up there, and I can bet it was mooing or oinking about a day or so ago
2/18/2012 3:48:57 PM
I take it you must not have any land even though you live in a rural area?
2/18/2012 4:29:06 PM
the problem with small farming is VOLUME.
cant make a living selling 20 bucks in vegtables a day.
say you have a small stand and get 10 customers a day who buy 20 bucks in produce each...
so you make 200 bucks a day right?
Nope, you have the costs of the land, cost to operate the stand, opportunity cost. (you could have made say 80 bucks working at mcdonalds in the same time.
So now you have really only made 120 bucks more then you would have working elsewhere.
Except, the produce you are selling is not all profit. It took you hours in labor and inputs (tractor time, seed, fertilizer, energy)
it is very tough to get the volume to make it worth your time.
cant make a living selling 20 bucks in vegtables a day.
say you have a small stand and get 10 customers a day who buy 20 bucks in produce each...
so you make 200 bucks a day right?
Nope, you have the costs of the land, cost to operate the stand, opportunity cost. (you could have made say 80 bucks working at mcdonalds in the same time.
So now you have really only made 120 bucks more then you would have working elsewhere.
Except, the produce you are selling is not all profit. It took you hours in labor and inputs (tractor time, seed, fertilizer, energy)
it is very tough to get the volume to make it worth your time.
2/18/2012 4:39:40 PM
I'd rather give my excess produce away than bother trying to sell it. Not that I have that much excess any more. I can or freeze just about everything now days. Even excess tomatoes get turned into juice once I have enough sauce put up. The exception is probably going to be garlic. My wife can unload just about all I want to part with where she works.
ETA, you might want to make some friends with the locals. A lot of this sort of thing is pretty much word of mouth or friends of friends sort of thing. I can tell you, the last thing I am going to do is put up a sign saying I have "X" for sale. A week later I'd have the tax man up my ass wanting a cut of my losses as tribute.
ETA, you might want to make some friends with the locals. A lot of this sort of thing is pretty much word of mouth or friends of friends sort of thing. I can tell you, the last thing I am going to do is put up a sign saying I have "X" for sale. A week later I'd have the tax man up my ass wanting a cut of my losses as tribute.
2/18/2012 5:39:21 PM
Originally Posted By Waldo:
I'd rather give my excess produce away than bother trying to sell it. Not that I have that much excess any more. I can or freeze just about everything now days. Even excess tomatoes get turned into juice once I have enough sauce put up. The exception is probably going to be garlic. My wife can unload just about all I want to part with where she works.
ETA, you might want to make some friends with the locals. A lot of this sort of thing is pretty much word of mouth or friends of friends sort of thing. I can tell you, the last thing I am going to do is put up a sign saying I have "X" for sale. A week later I'd have the tax man up my ass wanting a cut of my losses as tribute.
I'd rather give my excess produce away than bother trying to sell it. Not that I have that much excess any more. I can or freeze just about everything now days. Even excess tomatoes get turned into juice once I have enough sauce put up. The exception is probably going to be garlic. My wife can unload just about all I want to part with where she works.
ETA, you might want to make some friends with the locals. A lot of this sort of thing is pretty much word of mouth or friends of friends sort of thing. I can tell you, the last thing I am going to do is put up a sign saying I have "X" for sale. A week later I'd have the tax man up my ass wanting a cut of my losses as tribute.
Actually down here, the signs for stuff for sale are pretty popular (as you probably know
) guess it's a bit different than OH though
Oh, and if you do need to get rid of extra, remember where I'm at
I always seem to have extra of what no one wants, like tomatoes, and jalapenos.
2/18/2012 7:44:25 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
With the way food prices are at the supermarket, I think that is a great price for what you are offering.
I also can alot of chicken and would love to find someone around here that offered that.
2/18/2012 9:02:59 PM
Originally Posted By Waldo:
I take it you must not have any land even though you live in a rural area?
I take it you must not have any land even though you live in a rural area?
I got a whole acre, so no room for cows.
Last years garden was a disaster, but im not giving up.
Also want to start with some meat rabbits, once I get a few other projects done.
2/18/2012 9:14:06 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Id be more than happy to offer input on your ideas. Honestly though, I don't really know where my "budget" is on chicken. I seem to recall kroger sells chicken thighs for something like 99c to $1.50 per lb. Thats eithe rgoing to be pilgrims pride, or their own label, which is probably just re-marked tyson or pilgrims pride etc. Just guessing. I'll have to start making a note of what I'm actually paying. I suspect if the price is double or more than what I pay in the grocery store, then I might hesitate to switch 100% at first. However, with the rising oil prices, everything is going to rise - including food at the big box stores that is often trucked in from out of state or even from another country. I had this idea in my head that 20-30% higher than the chain grocery stores would not cause me any problem. I just wonder how many people like myself share the same opinion - that we would pay more for local grown, healthy food that benefits the local economy as well and keeps the family farms from caving into the big multinationals.
2/18/2012 9:21:42 PM
The local hippy dippy macrobiotic chicken liberal farmer local grown stuff is steadily growing. Call your county ag agent and see if he can put you in touch with local farmers
2/18/2012 10:01:08 PM
Eastwood - try this website for local food suppliers. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for nearby.
http://www.localharvest.org/
http://www.localharvest.org/
2/18/2012 10:04:23 PM
Originally Posted By sgtgrits:
Eastwood - try this website for local food suppliers. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for nearby.
http://www.localharvest.org/
Eastwood - try this website for local food suppliers. Hopefully you can find what you are looking for nearby.
http://www.localharvest.org/
Excellent! thank you.
2/18/2012 10:48:22 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
snip
snip
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Is $4/lb competitive with your local markets for your product? Have you been able to figure out your input costs to see if $4/lb covers them?
We've been using the local prices at big chain stores to sell our fruits/veggies/eggs for a couple years while gathering data on input costs. Our food is "organically" grown so we use comparable pricing. We'll adjust pricing as necessary once we have a better handle on our input costs.
I don't see why you couldn't get $4/lb if you market it correctly. Here's a local guy and how he is selling his grass-fed products. http://naturallocalfoods.com/index.htm
Best of luck to your adventure, Feral.
2/19/2012 6:58:54 AM
I keep hearing about folks getting $3-3.50/lb for pastured chicken around here.
Also seen a few bait and switch operations, where you only THINK you are getting organic meat and/or produce.
Both Amish and English are doing it.
Youngest son is debating whether to get 50 or 100 broiler chicks and selling half this year if he gets 100.
His finished cost, live weight, was right around $1 lb last year.
But chicks will cost us $0.45 this year.
Also seen a few bait and switch operations, where you only THINK you are getting organic meat and/or produce.
Both Amish and English are doing it.
Youngest son is debating whether to get 50 or 100 broiler chicks and selling half this year if he gets 100.
His finished cost, live weight, was right around $1 lb last year.
But chicks will cost us $0.45 this year.
2/19/2012 8:00:40 AM
Originally Posted By Dave15:
His finished cost, live weight, was right around $1 lb last year.
But chicks will cost us $0.45 this year.
His finished cost, live weight, was right around $1 lb last year.
But chicks will cost us $0.45 this year.
That cost is a tad low for us but close. I'm projecting ~$6.25 each for birds dressing in the 4-5 pound range. Our chicks will cost $1.30 each delivered.
That $6.25 does NOT include ancillary costs such as bedding, equipment, ice, electricity and our TIME. It's still a viable family project though.
2/19/2012 8:02:43 AM
Originally Posted By Dave15:
Also seen a few bait and switch operations, where you only THINK you are getting organic meat and/or produce.
Both Amish and English are doing it.
Also seen a few bait and switch operations, where you only THINK you are getting organic meat and/or produce.
Both Amish and English are doing it.
I heard of a local woman who was buying $2 a dozen brown eggs here and transporting them to Philly where she sold them for $6 a dozen as "organic."
2/19/2012 10:11:45 AM
I have a small laying hen flock and have no shortage of customers for fresh brown eggs at $2 per dozen.
My birds and eggs are free range but I supplement with feed mill mash or TSC pellets so I can't call them "organic"
Lots of families in the local area sell eggs for $2 or $2.50 a dozen. Meat is a similar story, but it isn't usually advertized.
J.
My birds and eggs are free range but I supplement with feed mill mash or TSC pellets so I can't call them "organic"
Lots of families in the local area sell eggs for $2 or $2.50 a dozen. Meat is a similar story, but it isn't usually advertized.
J.
2/19/2012 1:23:31 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Our chicks will cost $1.30 each delivered.
Our chicks will cost $1.30 each delivered.
Last year, it was $0.40 a piece for 1000+, picked up.
$0.45 a pop this year.
Guy that picked them up last year, said he heard "PEEP,PEEP,PEEP!" in his head for the next 3 days!
2/19/2012 10:26:18 PM
I supplement my garden by going to local farmers markets. Good prices, usually better quality.
2/20/2012 5:50:10 AM
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Id be more than happy to offer input on your ideas. Honestly though, I don't really know where my "budget" is on chicken. I seem to recall kroger sells chicken thighs for something like 99c to $1.50 per lb. Thats eithe rgoing to be pilgrims pride, or their own label, which is probably just re-marked tyson or pilgrims pride etc. Just guessing. I'll have to start making a note of what I'm actually paying. I suspect if the price is double or more than what I pay in the grocery store, then I might hesitate to switch 100% at first. However, with the rising oil prices, everything is going to rise - including food at the big box stores that is often trucked in from out of state or even from another country. I had this idea in my head that 20-30% higher than the chain grocery stores would not cause me any problem. I just wonder how many people like myself share the same opinion - that we would pay more for local grown, healthy food that benefits the local economy as well and keeps the family farms from caving into the big multinationals.
Id be more than happy to offer input on your ideas. Honestly though, I don't really know where my "budget" is on chicken. I seem to recall kroger sells chicken thighs for something like 99c to $1.50 per lb. Thats eithe rgoing to be pilgrims pride, or their own label, which is probably just re-marked tyson or pilgrims pride etc. Just guessing. I'll have to start making a note of what I'm actually paying. I suspect if the price is double or more than what I pay in the grocery store, then I might hesitate to switch 100% at first. However, with the rising oil prices, everything is going to rise - including food at the big box stores that is often trucked in from out of state or even from another country. I had this idea in my head that 20-30% higher than the chain grocery stores would not cause me any problem. I just wonder how many people like myself share the same opinion - that we would pay more for local grown, healthy food that benefits the local economy as well and keeps the family farms from caving into the big multinationals.
Not to mention that it's better quality TASTIER chicken too!
Most folks doing pastured poultry agree that the competition isn't (and shouldn't be!) the Tyson and Perdue factory birds. None of us grow birds as cheaply as industry birds. BUT.....we can grow better tasting birds.
2/20/2012 11:05:36 AM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Not to mention that it's better quality TASTIER chicken too!
Most folks doing pastured poultry agree that the competition isn't (and shouldn't be!) the Tyson and Perdue factory birds. None of us grow birds as cheaply as industry birds. BUT.....we can grow better tasting birds.
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Id be more than happy to offer input on your ideas. Honestly though, I don't really know where my "budget" is on chicken. I seem to recall kroger sells chicken thighs for something like 99c to $1.50 per lb. Thats eithe rgoing to be pilgrims pride, or their own label, which is probably just re-marked tyson or pilgrims pride etc. Just guessing. I'll have to start making a note of what I'm actually paying. I suspect if the price is double or more than what I pay in the grocery store, then I might hesitate to switch 100% at first. However, with the rising oil prices, everything is going to rise - including food at the big box stores that is often trucked in from out of state or even from another country. I had this idea in my head that 20-30% higher than the chain grocery stores would not cause me any problem. I just wonder how many people like myself share the same opinion - that we would pay more for local grown, healthy food that benefits the local economy as well and keeps the family farms from caving into the big multinationals.
Id be more than happy to offer input on your ideas. Honestly though, I don't really know where my "budget" is on chicken. I seem to recall kroger sells chicken thighs for something like 99c to $1.50 per lb. Thats eithe rgoing to be pilgrims pride, or their own label, which is probably just re-marked tyson or pilgrims pride etc. Just guessing. I'll have to start making a note of what I'm actually paying. I suspect if the price is double or more than what I pay in the grocery store, then I might hesitate to switch 100% at first. However, with the rising oil prices, everything is going to rise - including food at the big box stores that is often trucked in from out of state or even from another country. I had this idea in my head that 20-30% higher than the chain grocery stores would not cause me any problem. I just wonder how many people like myself share the same opinion - that we would pay more for local grown, healthy food that benefits the local economy as well and keeps the family farms from caving into the big multinationals.
Not to mention that it's better quality TASTIER chicken too!
Most folks doing pastured poultry agree that the competition isn't (and shouldn't be!) the Tyson and Perdue factory birds. None of us grow birds as cheaply as industry birds. BUT.....we can grow better tasting birds.
Can you sell farm raised poultry to restaurants?
TRG
2/20/2012 12:11:41 PM
Originally Posted By TheRedGoat:
Can you sell farm raised poultry to restaurants?
Can you sell farm raised poultry to restaurants?
Yes.
ETA: Provided they stay in the same state in which they're raised. If they go interstate, they have to be processed under USDA inspection which, at a practical level, means they can't be processed on farm.
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
2/20/2012 7:23:17 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Yes.
ETA: Provided they stay in the same state in which they're raised. If they go interstate, they have to be processed under USDA inspection which, at a practical level, means they can't be processed on farm.
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
Originally Posted By TheRedGoat:
Can you sell farm raised poultry to restaurants?
Can you sell farm raised poultry to restaurants?
Yes.
ETA: Provided they stay in the same state in which they're raised. If they go interstate, they have to be processed under USDA inspection which, at a practical level, means they can't be processed on farm.
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
Seems like your marketing to the roadside buyer, I would think that finding a local restaurant that wanted to showcase organic, farm raised, would be a larger market.
TRG
2/20/2012 8:40:40 PM
Originally Posted By TheRedGoat:
Seems like your marketing to the roadside buyer, I would think that finding a local restaurant that wanted to showcase organic, farm raised, would be a larger market.
Seems like your marketing to the roadside buyer, I would think that finding a local restaurant that wanted to showcase organic, farm raised, would be a larger market.
Absolutely. Restaurant buyers would be MUCH better than roadside buyers. Roadside buyers aren't, IMO, viable for this kind of niche market sales.
For us, in particular, in will be word of mouth and private sales that help us along. We can't commit commit to the kind of supply that would drive a restaurant trade.
2/20/2012 8:45:16 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
Believe rabbit is GTG, in addition to poultry, at least here in MD.
2/20/2012 8:48:03 PM
Originally Posted By Dave15:
Believe rabbit is GTG, in addition to poultry, at least here in MD.
Originally Posted By Feral:
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
ETA2: One other clarification........the above is true only for poultry. If you sell beef or pork by the cut and for resale it has to be processed in a USDA facility.
Believe rabbit is GTG, in addition to poultry, at least here in MD.
I wasn't sure about rabbit. I think its GTG too.
2/20/2012 8:48:35 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Absolutely. Restaurant buyers would be MUCH better than roadside buyers. Roadside buyers aren't, IMO, viable for this kind of niche market sales.
For us, in particular, in will be word of mouth and private sales that help us along. We can't commit commit to the kind of supply that would drive a restaurant trade.
Originally Posted By TheRedGoat:
Seems like your marketing to the roadside buyer, I would think that finding a local restaurant that wanted to showcase organic, farm raised, would be a larger market.
Seems like your marketing to the roadside buyer, I would think that finding a local restaurant that wanted to showcase organic, farm raised, would be a larger market.
Absolutely. Restaurant buyers would be MUCH better than roadside buyers. Roadside buyers aren't, IMO, viable for this kind of niche market sales.
For us, in particular, in will be word of mouth and private sales that help us along. We can't commit commit to the kind of supply that would drive a restaurant trade.
Sounds like a pretty good idea to me.
TRG
3/3/2012 12:16:41 PM
Originally Posted By Feral:
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
Originally Posted By Eastwood123:
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Regardless, I would still pay more for locally grown, grass fed beef and chickens that were not fed the same crap that the big farms do. Same for locally grown produce that is chemical free etc. Part of that is to stick it to the big multinationals, but the main idea is to simply support the local community while getting back to food from a simpler time before the farm turned into a big corporation with its only goal of more profits at any/all costs.
Would you pay $4 a pound for no-antibiotic, no-steroid, no-GMO chicken meat? Raised on pasture, processed on farm? Fresh or frozen? Whole birds or cut-ups, but you buy the whole bird for that price?
My wife and I are gonna start doing pastured broilers and your input would be helpful even though you're in TX!
I'm already paying more than that for Organic chicken from the local Giant Foods. $5.50-6.00 a lb for chicken breasts. I wouldn't mind finding a local source for less.
3/3/2012 5:24:33 PM
Breasts are a "preferred cut" (my term to suggest that you usually pay more for just breasts). When you buy the whole chicken you get the dark meat, too, and you'll usually find that it's cheaper and brings down the total per pound price.
To answer the OPs question, I would pay that price, but it would have to be convenient because I usually don't go out of my way to shop for such an item.
To answer the OPs question, I would pay that price, but it would have to be convenient because I usually don't go out of my way to shop for such an item.
3/3/2012 9:11:35 PM
Many beef producers and independent hog producers sell wholes and halves and have a local locker that kills, cuts and packages to your specs. Ask around in the area.
