MeatSuite started in 2012 in 9 counties and is adding 16 counties in targeted outreach. You can still participate if your county is not targeted; those 16 will have targeted consumer outreach. MeatSuite is designed to increase freezer trade sales of local meat by connecting farms with consumers. Farms can create profiles featuring contact information, prices, photographs, and descriptions of products, practices, and more. Consumers visit the site to search for farms that match their buying preferences.

The directory is FREE for farms and consumers. Creating a profile is an easy way to reach new potential customers and expand your farm's online presence. MeatSuite offers you an opportunity to explain to consumers why your farm is unique. The directory is open to all meat products raised on your farm. Take some time and look at other profiles; this will give you ideas for developing your profile. There are many terms and claims (breeds, pricing, types of feeds, etc.) to describe your farm and practices. Under the tab, Learn More, there are pages to help you, and also to help consumers. There are instructions posted under the About tab, then How to Sign up. It works best to develop your profile first then enter it into the site.

Each profile will be reviewed prior to posting. Remember, sales are all on a bulk basis, such as quarters or halves. Prices include processing and must be posted. If you use more than one processor, use the higher cost in calculating your price per pound. For
rabbit and poultry, list price as $/lb for the whole animal or $/animal. You must list a price for each product! "TBD" or "contact for price" is not acceptable. Products without prices will not be listed on your farm profile. Stay away from false claims; your reputation is at stake.

While we cannot guarantee that MeatSuite will generate sales for you, we encourage you to take a few minutes to join. It's easy, fast, and free, and the more farms that join, the more consumers will see MeatSuite as a great shopping resource. It is another tool in the marketing toolbox. There is also a MeatSuite Facebook page, too.

Matt LeRoux, CCE Tompkins County has done comparative pricing of bulk and retail cuts with grocery stores in the Ithaca area. For example, bulk prices save consumers $150-200 for the equivalent of a mixed quarter of beef. By selling meat in bulk, a farmer can utilize a USDA or New York licensed processor.

For questions regarding the site, send an email to contact@meatsuite.com.

After farms get listed, the next step will be to promote the site to consumers. There will be some workshops across the state to promote the site and bulk meat purchasing, plus postcards to distribute.

See you on MeatSuite!
 


MeatSuite Tips (pdf; 320KB)

• Tips on signing up for MeatSuite.