Know where your meat comes from.
Buy directly from local farms. Understand farming practices, compare prices, see estimated yields, and communicate with the people who raise your food.
Why buy local meat?
Buying directly from farms gives you transparency, value, and a connection to your food that retail cannot match.
Farm transparency
See exactly how each farm raises animals — feeding practices, certifications, and processing details.
Local economic impact
Your dollars go directly to independent farms in your region, strengthening local agriculture.
Bulk buying value
Purchasing a whole, half, or quarter share often provides a lower per-pound cost than retail cuts.
Relationship with producers
Talk directly to the farmer raising your food. Ask questions and build a lasting connection.
Choice of finishing practices
Select grass-finished, grain-finished, or other practices that match your preferences.
Freezer planning
Understand how much meat you will receive and plan your freezer space accordingly.
Buying a whole, half, or quarter animal
When you buy an animal share, you are purchasing part of a live animal before processing. Understanding the weight terms is essential.
Live weight
The weight of the live animal before processing. Rarely used for pricing on Meatory.
Hanging weight
The carcass weight after harvest, before cutting and trimming. This is the most common pricing basis for animal shares.
Packaged / take-home weight
The actual weight of cut, wrapped, and packaged meat you receive. Typically 60–75% of hanging weight.
How much freezer space do I need?
A general rule of thumb: one cubic foot of freezer space holds roughly 35–40 lbs of packaged meat. A quarter beef (85–125 lbs) typically needs about 3–4 cubic feet. A half beef needs 6–8 cubic feet, and a whole beef needs 12–16 cubic feet.
Build Your Freezer CalculatorGrass-fed vs. grain-finished
Farms may raise animals on different finishing systems. Neither is universally better — they produce different flavors, fat profiles, and production timelines. We encourage you to learn about both and choose what fits your preferences.
Read our neutral comparison guide →Questions to ask a farmer
Good farms welcome questions. Here are some to consider asking when evaluating a listing.
How are your cattle finished — grass or grain?
Which processor do you use?
When is processing expected to happen?
How is the price calculated — per pound hanging weight or flat?
What pickup options are available?
Are processing fees included in the price?
What share sizes are available — whole, half, quarter?
What is the estimated take-home weight for each share?
Buyer FAQ
Find local meat near you
Browse farms and listings, compare prices, and connect directly with producers.