Restock Dates: Please see our Farm Blog where we post our weekly newsletter for the latest updates

Newsletter 2016 0924

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

September 28, 2016

Upcoming Order Deadlines

MADISON:
Order by Sunday, October 16, 2016
Pickup Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Hattiesburg & Hattiesburg Hwy 98 West
Order by Monday, October 17, 2016
Pickup Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Biloxi & Gulfport
Order by Monday October 17, 2016
Pickup Thursday, October 20, 2016

Remember, you can place an order and or update an existing order until midnight of the order date. Visit our online store at www.naturesgourmetfarm.com

Maybe you remember your teacher encouraging you to ask questions during school because “if you have a question then most likely someone else does as well”.

Lately there have been several questions regarding availability and ordering. I can understand the confusion as we have shifted how we do business from strictly “custom” sales (availability) during a few months per year to now also include bundled sales via our online store.

First, the difference between custom and bundled.

Custom orders are where the customer is basically buying the animal directly from the farm. In most cases the farmer delivers the animal to the processor. The customer instructs how they want the animal processed and pays the processor for his work when they pick up their order. Custom applies ONLY to half & whole orders – either beef or pork.


Availability:
1.Pigs- we have set a 5-month rotation meaning we will have pigs available every 5-months. Pigs are available for October 2016 processing thus we are taking deposits now. Half of the pigs have been sold since we advertised them last week. So, if you want a pig do not delay! Here is the link https://naturesgourmetfarm.com/store/product/pork-half-custom-processed Next available will be March 2017. Then August 2017 and so on.
2.Beef- typically available late May through mid-September annually

Bundled orders include half, ground share, and variety shares. Bundles are pre-packaged based on weight and sold for a known or set price. Processing cost are included in the bundle price. Very similar to buying from your grocery’s meat case. Bundles are available for ordering throughout the year as long as we have not sold out.

Chicken: when we added chicken 3-years ago we only sold as fresh. Regulations limit us to 1,000 chickens per year. We raise 8-batches of 125 each and process every 4-weeks beginning early May – November. Processing is done on Friday’s and we meet customers the next morning in Hattiesburg for delivery. Customers order fresh my emailing me how many they want and for what date. We freeze extras and sell from our online store for delivery to any of the 5-pickup locations listed.

Ordering: our online store is open beginning the day after the pickup date until a few days before the pickup date. This gives us a few days to pack your order and make ready for delivery without last minute changes that we may or may not know about – and making for unhappy customers when we arrive with something different.

Remember, you can order as little as 10# of beef, 25# of pork, or 1-chicken. The store will not let you place an order for an “out of stock” item.

Hope this helps!

Last week we delivered two Beef Half – Custom Processed orders to long time customers. The orders were processed by our new processor - Attala. Here are initial comments:

Ok. I'm with Beth. We had a sirloin last night and it was AWESOME!! Next to my grandmother 's homemade ice cream the best thing I've eaten!! Definitely a good move to go with this processor! Barbara

The ground beef was great and we put a new york strip on the grill last night. It was delicious! Very tender and great taste. Very pleased!! Thanks so much, Angela

Visit our online store to learn more about our farm, products, pickup locations AND ordering. https://naturesgourmetfarm.com/

More from the blog

New Pullets | Calves | Job Opening

Pullets arrived March 1st– every 6 months we receive a fresh batch of pullets. This year we were not sure if our late February to early March batch would be available…even though we ordered them last September. However, mostly since we have done business with the same farmer since the Spring of 2017, he prioritized our order and delivered them March 1st. While the price was higher, I was braced for a much higher price. Our pullets are typically 17 weeks old when delivered. They will start laying at about 24 weeks. That means we should start seeing medium eggs by our May delivery dates. YEAH!

Eggs | Broken State GVT

Interesting Egg Article– the price and availability of eggs is a hot topic as well as a solution. Industry and regulators (maybe also include media) would have you believe it is because of bird flu. But, is it bird flu OR some other agenda? Beth received a link to an article from Farm Action out of Mexico, MO who have sent a letter to the FTC and DOJ urging them to investigate and take action to restore competition and lower eggs prices. Key facts Farm Action quoted are: Key Pricing Facts:

Half Beef Shares | Egg Pricing | Visitor Stories

NEW Egg Ordering Process – As you know, eggs are not only expensive, but are now being rationed by grocery stores. We have had our share of extra folks contacting us because our prices are lower than grocery stores. This reminds us of March 2020 when our freezer went from FULL to EMPTY before we knew what was happening. I would say 95% or more of those who first bought during Covid left when store shelves filled back up. We are NOT interested in customers shopping price, but only customers interested in our quality products.