Before I begin, I have 2 main goals when operating this co-op.
My #1 goal and TOP priority is YOU! I started this co-op to ultimately help all of the families that trust me to find them amazing food for good deals. Key words are AMAZING FOOD and GOOD DEALS. No supplier trumps this goal.
#2 goal is supporting and helping our local producers and farmers WHEN IT MEETS GOAL #1. I don’t simply work with a local farmer/producer because they are local. We go through a vetting process on both quality and price. I reject more than I accept.
With those goals in mind, our local grass-fed supplier informed us that our price is increasing by more than $2 per lb. That is a significant jump.
We've dealt with local farmers (or the butchers we use) increasing and we work with them to make sure they get taken care of. But at that jump, I wanted to see if we can find some new grass-fed and other local beef suppliers. We currently have 3 local beef (grass-fed/finished, grass-fed/grain finished and Wagyu/Angus cross).
We are looking to bring on 2 more - one that is grass-fed/finished and one that is grass-fed but specialty grain finished (healthier with no soy but beet protein and fermented corn granules) for those that don't like the strong taste of grass finished but want a healthier grain finish to get that pleasant taste and marbling.
Anyway, the prices on both would remain the same to what we are currently doing (and have had for the past couple of years), so we would not need to make that $2.30 per lb. jump in price, but switching out the current grass-fed with the new one AND adding in this local healthier grain-finished option.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on my discovery and thought process on instead of raising prices on the 20lb and 1/8th and 1/16th shares, that I would switch with the ones I chose after many farmer interviews the past couple of weeks.
Please note, I am always behind the scenes working as hard as I can to take care of our local producers when we can, while making better food as accessible and affordable as possible, even in a quickly changing market. I am working hard for YOU! :)
What this does not mean: I am not lacking options
I am receiving tons of ranch/farm referrals, while I appreciate the advice, I have quite a huge list of referrals. But if you really feel strongly about a farm you would like to refer, please fill out this form (or have them fill it out). At the end of the day, my issue isn’t the number of options, it’s the RIGHT option that meets goal #1 :)
At this point, most are wanting to sell their 30 lb bundles for $450 when I am trying to stick to offering 20lb bundles for $229 which makes the price per lb similar to if an individual bought a whole cow at a hanging weight of $5.50 per lb including all butcher and kill fees, but you don't have to commit to a whole cow through us as we buy the whole cows and divide with the best cuts for our participants (current farmer would increase the price to $275, so still a better deal than most). I am not simply wanting to trade out one farmer for another just because. Most all of them are priced around that same higher price shared above. I am looking for those farmers that see the value in collaborating with the Food and Meat Co-op so that all they have to do is raise good quality beef and not worry about selling and distributing their product (which is often the most painful part for them, but our community takes care of that). When they see that value, they offer our group a discount on the product and their life is easier and we get a great product for much less than anywhere else. Again, my issue is not a lack of options, it’s letting you know that we have great options that I am going to switch out instead of raise the prices on everyone here. :)
Once we implement these changes, we will have 4 active local beef suppliers products' available on our website:
1. 100% grassfed/finished mixed boxes and shares
2. American Wagyu/Angus cross mixed boxes and shares
3. Grassfed/Grain Finished shares
4. Grassfed/Healthier grain finish mixed boxes and shares (for better taste without losing health benefits of grassfed - using beet protein and fermented corn granules - NO SOY)
#1 is being replaced to maintain our group wholesale price and #4 is an entirely new option! Woohoo!
Thank you for trusting me as I work through making this the best food and meat co-op experience all around. :)