WHERE IS YOUR BEEF PROCESSED?

Our beef is processed by trusted small-scale and local butchers, with whom we have had long-standing relationships.

HOW DO I ORDER BULK GRASS FED BEEF?

On our “SHOP” page, you will see options to purchase either 1/4; 1/2 or a whole grass fed steer.  Please select your preferred option to place your deposit to reserve your bulk purchase.  

You will submit your cut sheet to the local butcher within 1 day from the date the animal is harvested.  This will allow the butcher to complete your order to your specifications.  The butcher will notify you when your order is available for pick-up, and payment of his processing fees is expected at that time.

WHAT IS THE COST OF A GRASS FED BEEF ORDER?

Wholesome Food Farm will invoice you based on the hanging weight, which is about 60% of the live weight.  

Payment of costs to Wholesome Food Farm MUST be paid in full prior to picking up your completed order from the butcher. (NOTE: The butcher’s processing fees are additional.)

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "LIVE WEIGHT"; "HANGING WEIGHT"; "TAKE HOME WEIGHT"?

LIVE WEIGHT:   The weight of an animal before it has been slaughtered and prepared as a carcass.

HANGING WEIGHT:  This is the weight that the butcher gives us after the animal has been taken back to the butcher shop to hang.   The weight difference from live to hanging is from loss of blood, head, hide, hooves, viscera, lungs and heart.  The hanging weight is usually about 60% of the live weight.  

TAKE-HOME WEIGHT:    The weight is lost in 2 ways.  About 4% is water weight lost during the 10-14 day period that the carcass is hung (or “cured”).  Then about another 30-35% is lost during the cutting process.  This amount is variable based on 2 factors – one is the amount of fat in the meat, and the other is the cuts that a customer requests.  Higher fat means more loss.  (Our grass-fed beef animals tend to be lower fat, so the loss tends to be closer to 35%.)   Also , the more boneless cuts requested by the customer, the lower the final weight.  (Note that the lower weight doesn’t mean that you are receiving less meat – rather, you are receiving fewer bones).

WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH MY BULK BEEF ORDER?

You are able to choose your own cuts of beef.  You will need to complete and submit the butcher’s "cut sheet", which will be made available to you after you place your deposit.  Please note that your cut sheet MUST be submitted to the butcher, within 1 day from the date the animal is processed.  

HOW MUCH FREEZER SPACE WILL I NEED?

• A 1/4 grass fed beef steer will generally fit into a 4-6 cubic foot freezer, and feed 1-2 people for approximately 1 year.

• A 1/2 grass fed beef steer will generally fit into a 8-10 cubic foot freezer, and feed a family of 4-6 people for approximately 1 year.

• A whole grass fed beef steer will generally fit into a 12-14 cubic foot freezer, and feed a family of 6-8 people for approximately 1 year.

HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY BULK ORDER?

You will be contacted by the butcher, when your order is completely processed, and ready for pick up.