Bulk buying meat?

lil_me

I paid £45 last year for the same, would seem a good buy to me, good quality is always worth it IMO as I don't mind using less when it's much nicer. 1/4 a lamb is quite big, would advise you order maybe one thing at a time if it's big, until you get used to how big the freezer is.

If I bought supermarket meat now my partner is used to the better stuff he'd probably refuse to eat it, I did some 'tesco steak' just after I started buying from the farm I use now, he said could I put any more left aside for mincing, slow cooking or use it to feed the dogs.

purpleivy

I bought a half lamb from the father of one of the kids at orchestra, was £40 but don't know how much it weighed. It was absolutely gorgeous!

competitionscafe

Buying half a lamb from a good supplier is a great idea and £45 sounds reasonable - the quality is likely to be far better than any supermarket meat too. Ask them what the price per kg is as that's the easiest way to compare (lambs can vary quite a lot in size depending on age, breed, etc). If you google "half a lamb" you will get an idea of what places are charging per kg to compare:
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=half+a+lamb&btnG=Google+Search&meta=cr%3DcountryUK%7CcountryGB

The picture here gives you an idea of what joints you will get from half a lamb:
http://www.tasteefarmshop.co.uk/lamb.htm

Debt_Free_Chick

I would definitely find a good butcher and ask them. Many local independent butchers will do a deal for supplying a freezer full of meat. Worth asking, but make sure the butcher is a good 'un before you do.

charlies_mum

When I bulk buy meat, I go to my local abbatoire. Much cheaper than the butcher, and really fresh.

Just in case anyone doesn't fancy the idea, the sheds are at the back, and there is a normal butchers shop where you buy your meat

ravylesley

We have a large abattoir near us but I never thought of going there for my meat.Might give them a ring and see if they do have a butchery

Lesleyxx

mary43

We bought half a lamb and half a pig from local chap. I think we paid about £40 for each. The meat's really tasty and much better than supermarket stuff.

sb44

Don't know if anyone buys their meat from the wholesaler ie packer or slaughterhouse but I have been told you will find it a LOT cheaper than going to the supermarket.

I am off to one tomorrow so shall let you know what their shelf prices are like to give you an idea (I know it will be £40 for half a lamb).

Anyway, this may be of use to anyone wondering where their nearest one is situated.

http://www.sheriffratings.com/cat/cl-w-s-5132-cn-Wholesale+Meats/

Hope this is of some use.

lil_me

I buy from a farm, he sends his animals to slaughter then butchers himself. Meat I get is fantastic.

pigpen

Most butchers if you go in and ask will do you meat wholesale.. my friend bought a massive chest freezer and went into the local butchers ordered a WHOLE PIG.. asked for it to be butchered and she saved a mint.... though they did start oinking after a while.. after the piggy she got a lamb.. she was looking for a whole cow last I spoke to her!! :eek: