Local meat producers around the country have been seeing a rapid surge in demand as more people look to get food closer to home after local supermarkets might have gone dry. This has also meant an uptick in business for grass-fed meat at stores and for farmers as well.
This growing interest in local food means some people are getting familiar with local farmers for the first time. You can find small farms and meat producers offering the convenience of pick-up, food delivery, and even grass-fed meat subscription boxes too.
“It’s just overwhelming,... It’s just constant phone calls and emails coming in." - J. McCann, founder of TC Farm.
Smaller farms are seeing some much needed business at this time which is going to help them to stay in operation, when their other usual vendors such as local restaurants etc, might have had to close and stop ordering for awhile.
People are looking to reach out to local farmers and those supplying meat and other items, so that they can find a secure producer that they can steadily rely on. But right now they are seeing a demand that exceeds what they can deliver.
Can't Find Enough Meat
Many people have been seen panic buying at stores around the country and there are also strict limits being placed on meat purchases as well.
Not only that, but some meat producers have also had to close temporarily. The concern over when the supply might be back to usual at the local store might prompt people to go looking to where they can still purchase in bulk.
It's Never Too Late To Meet Your Local Farmers
Hopefully, this won't only inspire people to turn to local farmers for food, but it might also might inspire some new families to get involved with pursuing a farming career for themselves. It hasn't been as popular of an option to go into farming as it might be to fantasize about a YouTube career for many young people today.
For those who might be inspired to become involved and think of this as a future career path, they can help to try and meet future demands. The more local family farms there are the better it is for people in the community, because it gives the freedom of having options on where they can shop. Competition means a diversified food system, so that all of your eggs aren't in one basket.
With the growing interest for grass-fed meat options as well this will hopefully continue to fuel a new trend in the market, with more farmers switching to the grass-fed method of farming. Depending on where you are, some people might still be facing meat shortages for awhile yet and that could also be pushing individuals to go looking for alternatives with local farms and meat producers to become acquainted with.
While you still can, while those farms are still there and haven't been closed for good, it's never too late to familiarize yourself with farmers in your area and their farming methods, and what products they might be providing to the community. You never know when you might just find a superior supply and make some friends too along the way.