Top Tips for Starting a Meat Box Business

With more consumers actively seeking to buy directly from farmers, meat box schemes have become an exciting and rewarding way to diversify a farming business. But like any enterprise, success comes with planning, consistency, and a solid understanding of what it takes to deliver high-quality meat direct to the public. 

Hollie Blockley and George Sturla, founders of Beeches Meats in Flint, share their top tips for getting a meat box venture off the ground, and making it thrive. 

 

1. Build Strong Relationships with Abattoirs and Butchers 

Finding a reliable abattoir and butcher is crucial. With many small, local facilities facing economic challenges, farmers may need to cast the net wider than expected. It's important to ring around, compare services like vacuum packing, and assess turnaround times and costs. 

“You’re going to be relying on them for every box you sell,” says Hollie. “So, make sure you invest time in building a solid working relationship.” 

 

2. Plan for Seasonality – and Beyond 

While peak times like Christmas and Easter naturally drive demand, a successful meat box business needs to operate year-round. 

“Customers often tell us they’ll never go back to buying meat any other way,” says George. “That’s a great compliment, but it also creates pressure to deliver consistently.” 

Freezing stock can help smooth seasonal fluctuations, but this brings its own challenges, such as cash flow and food hygiene requirements, making forward planning essential. 

 

3. Take Payments in Advance 

A common pitfall is customers backing out at the last minute, either due to a full freezer or a change of heart. This can leave farmers with perishable stock and no buyer. 

“We now take full payment or a £20 deposit upfront,” Hollie explains. “It’s a simple solution that protects the business and reduces no-shows.” 

 

4. Never Compromise on Quality 

Consistency is key to building a loyal customer base. If the meat doesn’t meet your own standards, don’t sell it. 

“Sometimes lambs come back looking leaner than expected,” Hollie says. “In those cases, we just keep it for ourselves. One poor box can undo months of hard work and customer trust.” 

 

5. Use Social Media to Tell Your Story 

With a growing number of farms offering meat boxes, standing out is all about storytelling. Customers want transparency and traceability, but still appreciate a bit of mystery. 

“Use your social media channels to promote your values, things like, grass-fed livestock, low food miles, ethical practices,” advises George. “But strike the right balance. Showing cute lambs alongside a lamb box promotion might not land well with every customer.” 

 

Final Thoughts 

Starting a meat box business offers not only financial rewards but also the opportunity to connect directly with consumers and share stories about sustainable, ethical farming. With clear communication, strong partnerships, and careful planning, it’s a diversification path well worth considering. 

Ready to diversify your farm? Visit us at the Farm Business Innovation Show to hear more success stories like Beeches Meats, and get inspired to start your own journey.