Cooperative Meat Buys

Current Cooperative Buy Opportunities

Bison

Email us if you are interested in a possible future buy of bison meat. We are investigating the possibility of sponsoring a buy, we are scheduled to visit a local farm.

Beef

Current buy being delivered as of March 30, 2008

Pork

Processing date is estimated to be early August, 2008

What is a Cooperative Buy?

The Genuine Faux Farm realizes that many persons are not able to purchase a side of beef or a whole hog at a time, but that is typically the minimum a farmer is willing or able to sell. In an effort to support local production using sustainable methods, we organize and facilitate shared buys of beef and pork from local farmers.

We do not raise these animals and we are not retailing the meat. We do pay attention how the animals are raised and cooperative buys are essentially a recommendation for the producer. If you wish to contact any of these producers directly, we would be glad to help you make the connection.

Who may participate?

CSA share holders are given the first opportunity to join a cooperative buy. We then extend the buy (if necessary) to others who have opted in to our email distribution list.

Please note that we are doing this to promote the purchase of local foods. So, if you live a significant distance away from us, you would defeat the purpose of participating. We encourage you to find local producers in your area and we may even be able to assist you.

How does this work?

We will periodically announce that we are gathering interest for a cooperative buy. Once we have sufficient numbers, we ask for confirmation of that interest prior to reserving beef with the producer. At this point, those who have confirmed their interest are expected to follow through with the purchase of their share of the animal. The producer arranges for transportation to a local locker for processing. The Genuine Faux Farm handles communications with the farmer, with the locker and with the group of buyers. We pick up the meat from the locker and equitably break down the cuts for all participants. We then arrange a drop off point and time for participants to pick up their share.

Participants are expected to pay for their share at the point of delivery. We have to pay the locker and the producer in a timely fashion. Thus, it is important we receive payment promptly. We do not raise our own cattle or hogs and we are not retailing the meat in these buys. Participants pay for their share of the cost to the locker, the producer and the expenses incurred by us in the process. Nothing more.

What will I receive?

The smallest amount we will consider for participation is 1/16th of a cow. One such unit will usually include 16-20 lbs of ground beef, 2 roasts, 3 steaks and a soup bone or rib. A typical cost for 1/16th is from $100 to $115. Costs and numbers of cuts vary from purchase to purchase depending on the size of the cow. Larger cows will, of course, produce more meat. But, costs to the locker and producer are usually rated by the pound.

The smallest amount we will consider for participation is 1/8th of a hog. One such unit will usually include 2 packages of bratwurst, 2 packages of bacon, 2 roasts, 1 chop, 1 ham and 2 sliced hams. Other cut units are possible. The larger the portion you buy, the more say you would have on the cuts. A typical cost for 1/8th is $48. Costs and numbers of cuts vary from purchase to purchase depending on the size of the hog. Larger pigs will, of course, produce more meat. But, costs to the locker and producer are usually rated by the pound.

What does the Genuine Faux Farm get out of this?

We are a small family who, like many of you, can't afford to buy a whole cow or hog at one time. We simply don't eat enough to justify purchasing that much. So, the short answer is that this also gives us a mechanism to buy locally from a producer who uses sustainable methods.

We also see this as a service to the community and as a way to put our 'money where our mouth is.' After all, we want you to support local growers. So, it makes sense to support them ourselves and bring you along for the ride!

From a business perspective, this is a way to promote our own services as vegetable and poultry producers. If you work with us in a cooperative buy, it is likely you will look to us for organically raised turkeys, chickens, eggs and produce.

We can attest that locally grown meat products DO taste better. We feel comfortable with the farms who raise these animals and we have been pleased with the Spillville, Ionia, Edgewood and Janesville Lockers work in processing meat in the past. We are not comfortable with factory cattle farms or hog confinement facilities and hope that you will join us in supporting local producers who don't pack their animals into cramped conditions.