Does anyone here sell lamb cuts at thier local faremrs market? If so what cuts sell the best for you? I'd be interested in hearing anyones farmers market experiences selling anything actually. Thanks

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 03, 2002

Answers

Response to Selling meat at a farmers market

Can't give you personal experience as a meat seller, but we were regulars at our local Farmer's Market this past growing season.

And people there were selling meat. We bought beef and pork and chicken. Later there was a lady there selling lamb but she usually sold out before we got there.

Some sellers brought ice chests full of frozen meat and sold out of that. Another seller put a small freezer on the back of his truck, loaded with organic frozen meats. When he go to the farmers market, he plugged it into and electrical outlet and kept the freezer running the entire time he was there.

Both of these sellers had specials for every Saturday, when the farmers market was open. These specials were usually about fifty cents to a dollar below usual price. Often they were slower selling cuts but when on special, I believe they usually sold out.

Hope this helps you some.

-- Carol - in Virginia (carollm@rockbridge.net), February 03, 2002.

Response to Selling meat at a farmers market

Carol happens to be in a state which is willing to work with meat producers for retail sale. Each state seems to apply the rules diffently. I believe in all cases the meat must be processed in a state inspected facility, but, here again, some may allow on-the-farm butchering. I have been told in NC you can sell pork sausage off the farm, but not other cuts, such as hams.

Carol, is the guy with the freezer at the farmers' market Joel Salatin? He lives in Swoope.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 03, 2002.

I would like to know how I can find out what the regulations are in my state for selling meat/poultry at Farmers Markets?

Who to call?

-- Tracy (zebella@mindspring.com), February 03, 2002.

Start with your local Agricultural Extension Agent. Don't take "I don't know" for an answer. Make them get you one. After all, you help pay their salary.

-- Ken S. in WC TN (scharabo@aol.com), February 03, 2002.

OK I'm a Canadian living in Ontario and we don't have specific regulations......... or so I'm told. Farmers Markets here are considered extensions of farm gate sales which are allowed if the meat is butchered at a provicially inspected plant and stored "properly" end quote. I'm looking for a walk in freezer that will lower temps to -20F for both sheep's milk and meat. The only thing I have to check out is if my farmers market has selling meat in it's bylaws or will add it. Every other klind of food is so I doubt I'll have a problem.

-- Ross (amulet@istar.ca), February 03, 2002.

hey , if you want to know the full truth about small farmers exemtions or what is or is not allowed , your best bet is to look up the law yourself. sometimes the poeple you ask are so authoritative in thier minds they dont care if you get the correct answer yourself. if you cant find the state code on line look for it at your public library, if they dont have it go to a larger city library. KNOW THE LAW FOR YOUR BENIFIT. copy it off and carry it with you

-- steve (yourfriendsteve@yahoo.com), February 03, 2002.