Question 1

Do I need an account to browse?

Accepted Answer

No. You can browse all farms and listings without creating an account. You only need to sign in to reserve a share, message a farmer, or save a listing.

Question 2

How do I find meat near me?

Accepted Answer

Use the search page to browse listings by species, location, farm, or share size. You can also use the location search on the homepage to find farms near your city or ZIP code.

Question 3

What is an animal share?

Accepted Answer

An animal share means you are purchasing part of a live animal before processing. Shares are typically sold as whole, half, or quarter animals. You pay based on the hanging weight and receive the packaged meat after processing.

Question 4

Can I save listings to view later?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sign in and tap the heart icon on any listing or farm to save it. Saved items appear in your buyer dashboard under the Saved tabs.

Question 5

How do ratings and reviews work?

Accepted Answer

After completing a purchase, buyers can leave a review of their experience with the farm. Reviews appear on the farm profile and help other buyers make informed decisions.

Question 6

How do I list my farm on Meatory?

Accepted Answer

Start by creating a farm account and building your farm profile. After verification, you can create listings for animal shares or packaged cuts.

Question 7

What does it cost to sell on Meatory?

Accepted Answer

Meatory charges a marketplace commission on completed transactions. Current seller pricing will be shown before a farm activates listings. There is no upfront cost to create a farm profile.

Question 8

Do I need to be verified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Meatory reviews farm profiles before listings go live. Verification helps build trust with buyers and ensures that farm information is accurate.

Question 9

Can I pause my listings?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can pause or archive listings at any time. Paused listings are hidden from buyers but can be reactivated whenever you are ready.

Question 10

What information is public on my farm profile?

Accepted Answer

Your farm name, city, state, story, farming practices, certifications, and listing details are public. Your street address, Stripe account details, and private contact information are not shown publicly.

Question 11

How do payments work?

Accepted Answer

All payments are processed through Stripe. For animal shares, you typically pay a deposit to reserve and the remaining balance after processing. For packaged cuts, you pay the full price at purchase.

Question 12

Is my payment information secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Meatory does not store full card numbers or bank details. Payment processing is handled by Stripe under its own security and compliance standards.

Question 13

When does the farmer get paid?

Accepted Answer

The farmer portion of each payment becomes eligible for payout after required fulfillment conditions are met. Payout timing may depend on holds, disputes, and verification status.

Question 14

How are refunds handled?

Accepted Answer

Refund policies vary by listing type. If a share cannot be fulfilled, deposits may be refunded or transferred. Refunds for completed orders are handled case-by-case through Meatory support.

Question 15

What is hanging weight?

Accepted Answer

Hanging weight is the weight of the carcass after harvest and initial cleaning, before cutting into individual pieces. Many animal shares are priced per pound based on hanging weight.

Question 16

What is a cut sheet?

Accepted Answer

A cut sheet is a form you complete with the processor that specifies how you want the animal cut and packaged — which steaks, roasts, ground beef, and other cuts you want, and how you want them packaged.

Question 17

What is a custom-exempt processor?

Accepted Answer

A custom-exempt processor operates under a federal exemption that allows processing for the owner of the animal. Custom-exempt meat is for personal use and may not be resold. Each listing clearly states its processing type.

Question 18

What is an inspected processor?

Accepted Answer

An inspected processor is a USDA or state-inspected facility that produces meat bearing the federal or state inspection mark. Inspected meat can be sold as individual cuts.

Question 19

Can I choose my cuts?

Accepted Answer

For animal shares, you typically complete a cut sheet with the processor. For packaged cuts, the available cuts are listed on the farm's inventory.

Question 20

Where do I pick up my order?

Accepted Answer

Pickup locations vary by farm. Most farms offer pickup at the farm or processor. Pickup details are shown on each listing and confirmed during the reservation process.

Question 21

Can farmers deliver?

Accepted Answer

Some farms offer delivery within a certain radius for an additional fee. Delivery availability is shown on each listing and can be filtered in search.

Question 22

How is pickup scheduled?

Accepted Answer

Pickup is coordinated directly with the farmer through Meatory messaging after processing is complete. The reservation timeline tracks each stage of the process.

Question 23

What information do you collect?

Accepted Answer

We collect account information (name, email), profile information (farm details for sellers), transaction information (reservations and payments), and usage information to improve and secure the service. See our privacy policy for full details.

Question 24

Is my contact information shared?

Accepted Answer

When you send a message through Meatory, only the message body is relayed. We do not add your email address, phone number, or hidden metadata to relayed messages. However, any contact information you type into a message is relayed as written.

Question 25

Can I delete my account?

Accepted Answer

Contact Meatory support to request account deletion. We will process your request in accordance with our privacy policy and applicable law.

Question 26

Is buying custom-exempt meat legal?

Accepted Answer

Custom-exempt processing is legal under federal regulations, but the meat is intended for the purchaser's personal use and may not be resold. State rules vary — Meatory enforces state eligibility rules on each listing.

Question 27

What states does Meatory support?

Accepted Answer

Meatory is launching in a limited set of states and will expand as compliance configuration is added. If a listing is unavailable in your state, it is because the transaction type is not yet supported there.

Question 28

Are the legal documents finalized?

Accepted Answer

Meatory's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy are drafts prepared for review by qualified counsel. They are subject to change before launch. Do not rely on them as final legal documents.

Question 29

Who is responsible for compliance?

Accepted Answer

For custom-exempt shares, the farmer remains responsible for complying with applicable federal and state requirements. Meatory assists with workflow and disclosure but does not replace legal or regulatory obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buyers

Farmers

Payments

Processing

Pickup & Delivery

Accounts & Privacy

Legal / Compliance

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