AG 2011 07 18 - Laserfiche WebLink

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economy. They also mentioned that local beef farming was better for the environment and helped preserve open space. People are looking for convenience when purchasing local beef. Participants in the beef focus group said that the limited location and hours of farmers markets plus the need to pick up meat on farms were obstacles to buying local beef. They also said they would buy more local beef if it were more readily available. Price and taste need to be considered In direct markets, price does not appear to be a major obstacle. Many of the consumers in the beef focus group said price was not a huge consideration when buying local beef. On the other hand, restaurant chefs report locally- raised beef can be too expensive to serve —costs can be up to two times higher than quality western grain -fed beef they get from major distributors. Consistency of volume and quality are always major issues for restaurant buyers and can be challenging for low- volume producers to achieve. Earth Fare, a grocery store chain with two Charlotte locations, has a local grass - fed beef program that sells meat from Hickory Nut Gap Meats based out of Asheville. This farmer -owned branded meat company sources cattle from farms in the Iredell, Montgomery and Buncombe counties. Earth Fare reports that volume from Hickory Nut Gap can be inconsistent and price can be an issue. Hickory Nut Gap Meats is open to adding farms as producers, including from Cabarrus County, as long as producers meet their production and meat quality protocols. In terms of the market for grass -fed beef, taste is an issue for both consumers and producers. Most consumer palates are accustomed to the taste of western grain - fed beef. One producer who is considering the possibility of marketing local grass -fed beef expressed concern that customers would bring the product back because of its taste. She herself does not like the taste of grass -fed beef. Opportunities for growth exist Department heads at two major county agencies, the Department of Aging and the Cabarrus County Jail, are motivated to source food locally as part of their participation in Cabarrus County's Local Food Purchasing Program. Yet they source all meat for clients through large distributors and are unaware of local meat options for departmental meetings and catered events. County Extension Director Bost reports that Sysco has purchased a plant in Charlotte to grind and distribute hamburger. The company is willing to buy local beef for the operation, and the County is working on ways to help them accomplish this goal. 10 Attachment number 1 1 -1 Page 245