Dear Aggie

What is MeatSuite and how is it a useful tool for both producers and consumers?

MeatSuite, you may have heard of it before, you may not. Either way, if you are a farmer looking to sell bulk meat or a buyer looking to purchase, this is the site for you. MeatSuite is a free online platform designed to connect consumers with local producers offering ‘larger than grocery’ meat purchases- such as whole, half, or quarter animals. Acting as a place of connection, resource sharing, and tool utilization, the website provides an extensive list of benefits for all categories of site users.

While farmers markets are a great place to get neighbor-grown goodness, it is more than difficult to find whole cows or pigs there. Buying a quarter, half, or whole animals straight from a community producer means high-quality, locally raised meat at a better price per pound. MeatSuite exists to cultivate relationships with producers selling just that. The site has a compiled list of regional farmers and what animals they are offering. It is as easy as entering in a zip code. Cheaper prices, farm-raised food, customized cuts, supporting your community, and less trips to the grocery store? MeatSuite really is a game changer for consumers looking to buy bulk.

For producers, the list of MeatSuite benefits is even longer. Besides being a platform for direct-to-consumer sales, MeatSuite offers multiple tools to help farmers set pricing, understand production costs, find resources, and even access monthly pricing reports from grocery stores and farmers markets around New York State.

The Cornell Meat Price Calculator can be utilized to determine appropriate pricing, making sure producers are not underselling themselves. Additionally, the visibility of other farms’ prices allows producers to benchmark their prices against others in the community. By inputting farm-specific data such as production costs and desired profit margins, farmers can calculate prices that ensure profitability and regional competitiveness, all through MeatSuite.

Furthermore, MeatSuite offers a Cost of Production Estimator which assists farms in determining the cost of production for a single animal based on USDA Census of Agriculture data and the producers own figures. This tool enhances farmers’ understanding of their expenses and subsequently, enables them to set the right prices.

An array of educational resources for producers and consumers alike can be found on the MeatSuite platform. Site visitors can explore topics ranging from USDA and NYS regulations to general livestock information. MeatSuite even offers an in-depth guide to buying a whole or portioned animal and an explanation of weight and pricing terms- crucial concepts for bulk meat sales. The site’s monthly pricing reports provide real-time insights into current meat and produce prices around the state, allowing both farmers and consumers to make better informed decisions.

While MeatSuite’s main purpose is to serve as a point of connection between producers and consumers, it boasts a long list of tools and additional resources. Consider exploring it for yourself, because whether you are a buyer looking to purchase bulk meat locally or a farmer with product to sell, MeatSuite can help.

By: Noelle Porras, Food System Marketing Specialist

Last updated February 20, 2025