Noticed how lamb sales dropped off since the farmers markets really took off around here

Ive been cutting meat for about 12 years now at the same shop in Portland and I swear 5 years ago we could barely keep lamb legs in the case. Now I maybe sell 3 or 4 a week compared to 20 back then. A lot of the older customers who used to buy from us started going straight to the farms at the Saturday market because they want to see the animal raised. Has anyone else seen this shift in their shop or is it just my area?

2 comments

2 Comments

schmidt.willow16d ago

The farmers market near me actually boosted our local shop's sales because people get curious about where meat comes from and then come to us for consistent supply. I've had several customers tell me they started with a lamb chop from a farm stand and now buy whole legs from our shop every month for special dinners. That shift might just be your area's older crowd preferring the market experience while younger folks still rely on butchers for reliable cuts they can count on year round.

grayperez16d ago

Hold up, I gotta disagree a bit. I'm seeing the exact opposite in my town. The farmers market crowd around here are mostly younger people who want to know the farmer's name and see the animal in a pasture picture. Meanwhile the older folks are the ones who come into the butcher shop because they know the owner and don't want to chat about terroir or slaughter methods. It's like the market is a novelty for people who want a story, but the butcher is the go-to for people who just need dinner on the table without a lecture.