What meat shortage? These Kentucky shops, farms and processors have it all
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Lexington dining guides
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Meat processors have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, and almost two dozen meat processing plants around the country have closed, at least temporarily, straining the supply chain.
Meat industry executives at Tyson and Smithfield Foods have warned of meat shortages beginning in May.
Already grocers like Kroger is putting limits on the amount of meat customers will be able to purchase at one time. And even McDonald’s is putting its restaurants on allocation.
So, where can you go if the big stores don’t have the meat you’re looking for?
In Kentucky at least you have tons of options, many with locally grown proteins.
Straight from the source
Lexington Farmers Market, which is open Saturday in the Rupp Arena parking lot between Maxwell and Vine streets and on Southland Drive on Sunday, has a variety of vendors, including some who offer meat. Many now offer pre-ordering and advance purchase.
CSA (community supported agriculture) shares from local growers mean a weekly box of produce and, in some cases, meat, eggs and other items. The Kentucky Department of Agriculture is hosting a virtual CSA Fair online, so you can decide which farm has what you’re looking for.
Many growers are now launching their own online ordering systems. Elmwood Stock Farm, for instance, will let you select what you want and pick it up at the farmers market or set up a delivery.
Another online ordering option: The Local Food Connection, which has beef, veal, lamb, goat, pork and poultry, as well as vegetables, dairy, eggs and baked goods, jams and more. In Lexington you can place an order by 10 p.m. on Tuesday and pick up the order Thursday at the UK Horticultural Research Farm on Man O’ War Boulevard, Great Bagel and Bakery at 396 Woodland Ave. or Smithtown Seafood at West Sixth, 501 W. Sixth St. in Lexington.
Kentucky Proud beef is available directly from some farmers, including some who will sell you a share in a whole animal.
Marksbury Farm Market in Lancaster has a locally raised pork, beef, poultry and lamb for sale in the store on site; they also sell in Good Foods Co-op.
Farmer Joe’s in Salvisa sells fresh beef, poultry, pork and eggs. Delivery can be arranged in Lexington.
Pope Family Farms in Paris has limited amounts of beef, pork, eggs and poultry and seasonal produce. Pick up at the farm.
Garey Farm has pork including bacon, sausage, links and comes to the Lexington Farmers Market.
Wade Farms in Carlisle has premium pork and soon will have fresh beef.
Brenneman & Bucks Farm in Frankfort does pork, beef and chicken.
Quarles Farm in Frankfort has beef, lamb and goat, and sells at the Lexington Farmers Market. Preorder for best selection.
Triple J Farm in Georgetown has a farm market and farmhouse kitchen, sells fresh produce, eggs and compost, and yes, farm fresh beef.
Butler Farms in Paris sells pasture-raised meats including ham, sausage, whole chicken, spare ribs and more. Order online at butlerfarmsky.com.
Boone’s Butcher Shop in Bardstown has fresh meats.
Showalter’s Country Meats in Windsor has all kinds of meats on hand, including 19 flavors of bratwurst.
Summit Meats in Science Hill beef, pork, chicken and more. They are available at the Somerset Farmers Market too.
Kirby and Poe in Alvaton has fresh pork, bacon, sausage and more.
C&W Meat Packers in Cynthiana has fresh beef, pork chops, sausage and bacon. Also at Cynthiana Farmers Market.
Trackside Butcher Shoppe in Campbellsburg has fresh meats processed on site.
Our Home Place Meats in New Castle is the farmer cooperative processing center at the Berry Center that sells fresh meats.
Baxter’s Beef in Mercer County offers free delivery on beef shares within a 75-mile radius of the farm.
Stores
Critchfield Meats is one of the few traditional butcher shops left. They have meat and can take orders. The store also sells cooked items, and you can order cooked hams, turkeys and more. Since the shutdown began in mid-March the butchery has been busy.
Good Foods Co-op has local and organic meats, as well as produce, and other hard to find items. Curbside pickup is available.
Wilson’s Grocery is a Kenwick neighborhood institution and carries meats (often from Critchfield’s) and bread (from Sunrise Bakery) as well as other items.
Clem’s Refrigerated Foods in Lexington sells wholesale meat (and loads of other things, including bulk vegan burgers too) but individual customers can come to the walk-up window on the loading dock. It’s not a store so you can’t walk around inside and you have to buy in bulk (perfect if you have a freezer or want to split a 10-pound box of ground beef with a friend.) Cash is preferred; there’s a surcharge for credit card use so come prepared.
Restaurants
Red State BBQ and other local restaurants like Brown Barrel in Midway have “beefed up” their grocery offerings.
Azur Restaurant & Patio has added Weekend Getaway meat boxes and frozen seafood boxes; call in advance to reserve.
Longhorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse will sell you steaks to cook at home.
And if you really want to splurge, Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse is offering curbside meal kits that feature steaks to cook at home.
Wildcat Willy’s in Winchester is a distillery and a restaurant and now a farmer’s market, selling locally raised meats, produce and more.
This story was originally published May 2, 2020 at 5:28 PM.
