The Meats Market - CSA is truly a small family farm-based initiative, where non-family farm members are invited to participate as co-producers - working directly with and in support of family farm members, especially through the purchase of six or twelve month subscriptions and by assisting with getting the word out to others. In turn, co-providers produce meats that are raised locally, ethically, sustainably, and humanely for the co-producers.
HOW IT WORKS - Membership subscribers purchase either a six month or one year subscription and receive monthly variety packages of either approximately twelve, eighteen or twenty-four pounds. The three categories, and approximate percentages, are steaks 25%, roasts 35%, and ground 40% from beef, pork, lamb, and whole chicken and turkey - depending on the seasonal availability. Packages will be filled with frozen cuts of meat from each category at EAT Food for Life's discretion. Click on this for a list of CSA Cuts.
You can build your own custom package; to select specific meat(s), choose cut preferences (i.e., steaks, roasts, sausage, ground, etc.), as well as vary the total amount (10 lb. minimum), at a direct fee for the three categories: Steaks $16/lb., Roasts $8/lb., and Ground $7/lb.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS - Each member will be:
- Subscribed to EAT Food for Life Canada's member e-mail list.
- Committed to receiving a monthly package.
- Able to order from a monthly list of additional specialty discounted cuts.
PACKAGE PICKUPS - Eat Food for Life Canada has The Meats Market hosts that sponsor pick up locations in the city. Deliveries are scheduled for the same day each month. The host is responsible for establishing guidelines for each site. For example; it may be necessary for the host to have dry ice on hand to keep the packages frozen after their delivery. So, the host may establish a $/member fee for paying for the dry ice. Eat Food for Life Canada is responsible for delivering the frozen packages to each site monthly and the host will care for the distribution of packages. Farm members will be making the deliveries and will be available for meeting and getting to know the co-producers better within an agreed time period at delivery.
Members must pick up their packages within the scheduled time period established by their host, unless you have pre-arranged an alternative time with your host. Packages not picked up will be forfeited.
A member may opt to skip one month's pickup per the life of their subscription by contacting EAT Food for Life one week in advance of delivery at pickup@EatFoodforLife.ca or call 780-853-6046.
If you are interested in more information regarding the benefits of being a local neighborhood The Meats Market host, please see HOSTING.
