Fresh not frozen?

wstevenl · #1 01/04/10, 04:35 PM

We just had a customer contact us wanting small orders of fresh, never frozen meats. That's not a problem with the chicken that we process on the farm but our pork and beef is vacuum sealed, and then flash frozen at the processor. Has anyone here sold fresh beef and pork before? Any thoughts about how possible this is?
Actually, multiple small orders of fresh chicken would be a problem because I'm not going to keep it stored for her to come and get it unless it is frozen in our freezer. The fresh chicken could be picked up the day that we butcher.
-Why can't things just be simple?

agmantoo · #2 01/04/10, 04:48 PM

wstevenl
You need to realize that you cannot be all things to all people! Do what fits your operation and let it go a that. These folks that want the exception will not ever be satisfied and your effort to satisfy them will come back to haunt you. Tell them what you can do and let it go at that. Remember if those that want it their way aren't satisfied in total their comments can come full circle without your opportunity to explain yourself and can hurt what you are doing that fully satisfies the bulk of your customers. Politely decline to fulfill her unusual request.

arcticow · #3 01/04/10, 04:59 PM

That or put a couple fryers in a box with air holes, hand 'em to her and say "This is the only way you can be sure."

tinknal · #4 01/04/10, 05:30 PM

How often do you send stock to the processor? If it is quite regularly you could have them pick it up right from the processor.

copperhead46 · #5 01/04/10, 08:21 PM

I can't see any way to do that, she would have to buy at least a quarter beef, how would she keep it fresh without it going bad without freezing. I'm with Agman on this, you aren't a butcher, she needs to find a local butcher who can get her the cuts she wants, fresh.
P.J.

thaines908 · #6 01/04/10, 11:52 PM

My wife and I get fresh chicken from the local butcher, but he has a large retail store. The chicken usually last a week and is tastier. However I am not sure about need. A quarter would be a lot of beef to go through before it spoils. I think the way you pack it now gives fresh beef as economical as possible.

Ken Scharabok · #7 01/05/10, 02:07 AM

What agmantoo said.

I occasionally get odd-ball special order requests. I may give an alternative or simply decline.