Why Buying Local Meat in Bulk Might Be More Affordable Than You Think

And how it helps both Florida families and Florida farms

If you’ve ever looked at the price of grass-fed beef or pasture-raised pork at the grocery store and thought, “That’s just not in the budget,” you’re not alone.

But here’s what most people don’t realize: when you buy local meat in bulk directly from the farm and give you more control over the quality, the sourcing, and how your dollars are spent.

At Our Ancestors’ Foods in Cocoa, Florida, we’ve been farming for generations. And we’ve seen firsthand how buying in bulk doesn’t just help local families fill their freezers — it helps small farms survive in an industry dominated by global meatpackers and anonymous supply chains.

“We price our bulk boxes to give customers a better deal per pound,” says Leo Calligaro, who helps run the Calligaro family farm. “You’re getting real grass-fed beef, not mystery meat, and you’re paying less for it in the long run.”

Let’s Break That Down

Whether you buy one of our 10lb or 20lb boxes of grass-fed beef or pasture-raised pork, or get in on one of our bulk share sales, you’re not just paying for meat — you’re locking in quality and transparency.

• Local grass-fed beef: Raised right here in Cocoa, Florida

• No feedlots or hidden middlemen

• USDA-inspected, hand-packed, and delivered across Florida

• Priced by weight, so you always know what you’re paying for

Compare that to:

• $12–$14/lb for grass-fed at most grocery stores

• $8/lb for grain-fed ground beef with unknown sourcing

• Meat from international producers with no mandatory country-of-origin labeling

It’s no wonder people think good meat is out of reach. But when you buy local and buy smart, it doesn’t have to be.

It’s About More Than Price

When you shop from a local Florida farm like ours, you’re getting more than a box of meat:

• Direct communication with your farmers

• The option to customize your order or ask questions about how it’s raised

• Peace of mind that your food came from a place you can visit — not another country

“We’re not here to upsell anyone,” Leo says. “We’re just trying to make it easy for people to feed their families well, support their community, and maybe even save a little money while they’re at it.”

Bulk Boxes Help Us All

Buying in bulk helps us plan our harvests, reduce waste, and keep prices lower for everyone. For our customers, it means fewer grocery store trips, better meat in the freezer, and a closer connection to your food.

We deliver throughout Florida — especially in Cocoa, Brevard County, and the surrounding areas — and we’re happy to answer any questions before you place an order.

So, Is Local Meat More Affordable?

If you care about quality and you eat meat regularly, yes — buying local, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork in bulk can be the smarter financial choice.

And it’s a decision that supports more than your dinner table. It helps keep small farms like ours going strong — right here in Cocoa, Florida.