One of the best parts of owning a farm is sharing the fruits of your labor with others. Even though it’s hard work, there’s nothing more rewarding than the opportunity to put a delicious, nutritious dinner on a family’s table.
But what’s the best way to get meat from your farm to your customers’ refrigerators?
You’ve got two main options for where to sell meat: in person or online.
In this blog, we’ll explore each path and share our top tips for choosing where to sell meat to maximize your reach and profitability.
First, let’s explore the traditional route for where to sell meat: in person.
In the past, farmers relied on word-of-mouth marketing and brick-and-mortar opportunities to sell their fresh meats and produce — and selling in person can still be a great way to turn your harvests into profit.
Here are your three main options when it comes to in-person meat sales.
A pop-up farm stand is a great way to dip your toes into the water of farm retail. Since a basic farm stand is relatively inexpensive to build and operate, it’s a low-risk way to connect with your local customers and make your first farm sales.
However, farm stand success is bound by the foot traffic your location gets. Your customer base will be confined to those who pass by your farm in their cars or on foot, limiting your sales potential.
Opening a stall at your local farmers market is another low-investment option for selling farm-fresh meat, but it gives you more opportunities to meet customers and make sales.
Since many shoppers visit the farmers market every week, you can also start to generate repeat business — which is a major factor in farm success.
The only downside to this option is that most farmers markets have limited operating hours, so you can only sell meat one to two days each week.
Launching a permanent farm store is a significant step up from a small farm stand or market stall. You can set your hours, take up more space, and escape the threat of competition, but opening a farm store is no small undertaking.
You need to invest in a location with high foot traffic, purchase equipment like coolers and display shelves, and staff your shop with reliable team members.
While it takes hard work and a significant financial investment, starting a farm store can be an effective long-term strategy if you hope to expand your offerings and cultivate a thriving customer base.
If you’re looking for the best option for where to sell meat, we recommend getting online. Selling meat online can open new doors for your farm, letting you expand your reach and connect with customers nationwide — rather than just those in your neighborhood.
Selling meat online might seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s look at three basic steps to launch a profitable farm e-commerce operation.
Our number-one tip for farm e-commerce success is to invest in the right software. This powerful tool will manage every aspect of your online operations, including:
Your farm e-commerce software will shape your customers’ online shopping experience, so choose one that meets their expectations and your needs.
Related Read: Online Farm Sales Platforms: 6 Best Providers
You’ve launched your farm e-commerce website and made your first sale. What’s next?
Now it’s time to package your farm-fresh meat to protect its quality during the shipping journey. Choose sturdy boxes and hefty insulation to protect your products from temperature fluctuations and bumps in the road.
With the right materials, you can guarantee that each customers’ order will arrive in pristine condition, building their trust in your farm and encouraging repeat business.
Congratulations! You’ve shipped your first farm e-commerce order — all that’s left to do is grow.
Here are a few ways to attract customers and make more sales in your online farm store:
The easiest way to implement these strategies is to use your farm e-commerce platform, so look for one that offers features like marketing integrations, subscription options, and built-in customer loyalty features.
So, where should you sell meat from your farm? While in-person options can be a solid choice if you’re just getting started with farm sales, e-commerce is the way to go if your goal is growth.
All you need is a powerful farm e-commerce platform like GrazeCart.
Our software is designed by and for farmers, and it includes all the features you need to launch your online store and cultivate healthy profits, including an easy-to-use website builder, a robust order management system, flexible marketing options, and in-depth sales reporting.
Ready to get started on your GrazeCart journey? Start your free, two-week trial today!