How to ensure access to local meat during COVID-19 and beyond: 

 

  • If you are a consumer looking to stock your freezers with local, responsible meat:

    • Search for local farms in your area online and reach out to them directly. Many communities have farm support organizations who maintain an online catalog of local farms and their products. LocalHarvest and EatWild are examples with national databases, though many communities have directories specific to their foodshed. If you are in my community in Asheville, fromhere.org is the best resource. Real Food WNC on Facebook is a good interface as well.   Farmers markets do face closures—Asheville folks can check fromhere.org for updates on markets. ASAP is opening a COVID mindful farmers market at ABTech. Info here. For everyone- If markets do close down, you can call or check the websites and facebook pages of the individual markets to find contact information for their regular vendors, then reach out to the farmers directly or get on their list.

    • Local butcher shops who are dedicated to sourcing meat from local, responsible sources and utilizing the whole animals. Here in Asheville, Foothills Local Meats has weekly offerings and grab and go items available, Hickory Nut Gap Farm is offering drive up service, and The Chop Shop is open for curbside pick up and home delivery only, if an online order is placed in advance. If you are not local to Asheville, The Good Meat Project is working to build a national database of butcher shops and I will share when it’s ready. 

    • See if there is a Meat Collective near you. These are organizations and businesses around the country that the Good Meat Project trains to offer classes in humane slaughter, whole animal butchery, and whole animal utilization, using locally-sourced, responsibly-raised meat. While they likely aren’t offering classes in the face of COVID-19, they are great information resources. Here’s a list of Meat Collectives that exist across the country. 

    • Cornell Cooperative Extension and NC Choices have developed MeatSuite is an online marketing tool to help customers easily find locally produced, affordable, and delicious meat in bulk. MeatSuite was created to increase sales of local meat in bulk quantities (quarters, halves, wholes) directly from farm to consumer. Consumers can search for farmers selling local meats in their area using criteria such as location, species, and farm practices. Add a farm profile here or search for farms here.

    • The Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN) keeps a list of livestock farmers who are NMPAN members and also sell their meats online. You can view that list here. 

 

  • If you are a farmer struggling to find processing services:

  • No matter if you are a farmer/rancher, a processor, a food professional, or a consumer: 

    • Sign up for the Meat Collectives Switchboard, an online marketplace, networking, and information exchange hub that the Good Meat Project maintains for consumers, farmers, food professionals, and processors across the country. Ask each other questions, network, and buy and sell responsibly raised meat! It’s free to sign up. 

    • There are other meat educators (like me!) and groups active all over the country who are working toward local, responsible, healthy meat production systems. We’re trying to connect as many of us as we can during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are interested in accessing or making us aware of existing good meat resources in your community , and/or for accessing humane processing and butchery in your area, fill out this form. A collaborative team that I am working with will collect your information and share with people in your community to help mutual aid networks organize and act to ensure that farmers/ranchers, food professionals, and consumers have the support they need. 

  • Other AMAZING things happening for local food right now:

    • We Give A Share: Beyond CSA  Individuals purchase a farm share that allows the farm to raise food for The Southside Kitchen in Asheville NC to cook into meals for people living in affordable housing.  3500 meals per week.  Support Local Agriculture Support Community Members in Need.  The framework we build this year will allow for this sustainable program to expand and last for years to come.  Share donations are tax deductible.

    • Local Food Delivery Services in Asheville NC. Folks not in Asheville might be able to look at these models and replicate in their communities.

    • Patchwork Producers Alliance is a cooperative local food hub in development in Asheville, NC. They are currently seeking producer-owners. If you are a farmer or local business, consider involvement!