Discussions

I'm wondering where I can buy meat packages or boxes. I have looked at Sobeys and Co-Op but I can't seem to find one anywhere.....do stores even sell them anymore? Because I'd like to purchase a $50 or $75 meat box because I am trying to stretch my grocery budget, because I can't seem to make the meat I buy last for the 2 - 3 weeks needed between my medical benefit payments...and ideas? I am tired of missing meals just So my child gets to eat a full healthy meal cause I have to also stretch my food. And yes, I go to the food bank...was just there on Friday and there was no meat or milk in my hamper...so meat is dearly needed....hence a meat box so this doesn't happen anymore....I hope....thanks for any info...!

Yes I know food is donated but, when grocery stores in Brandon donate a lot of it is crap wilted vegs & fruits , dried up sweets & treats ( really do not need that not healthy anyway I' sure the grocery stores through out a lot of good food rather then donate the good products . Sorry kind of went of track . meat packages maybe Oberimaier's , M&m's , Tendercuts , Old style butcher shop ( not sure where this is ) and if you do not have wheels not much good to you .

I've purchased a mixed package from Tendercuts, was great quality but not sure budget friendly. I have better luck just shopping sales. For ex Walmart has buy 2 packages of 5 chicken breasts for $20. (so 10 for $20, make sure you pick the 2 heaviest packages, I often cut each one in half as they are large plus stretches my budget). Superstore has large pork loins on this week. I often buy them when on sale, then cut them into smaller pieces and freeze. Hamburger is pricey, but I wait for a sale, buy a large club pack, then freeze in portions.

We buy the packaged, beef, pork joints from Walmart, cost between $9-14. These we roast and there is enough meat for the two of us and at least 2 or 3 more meals with what is left.  
If you have a freezer then a large box of chicken pieces from Co-op will do many meals, same with sausage packs. Bulk out the meal with rice, pasta or potatoes.  
Use smaller portions of meat and more veg to fill the plate, A pound of mince and a pack of dried beans and you can make enough chilli to do the two of you at least a couple of meals.  
This time of year soups and stews can be warming and filling and being mostly vegetables are not too expensive.  
I'm sure you already look for the discount packs which can be good value.  
I do appreciate it can be tough as prices are way higher than they need to be. Try the pies from giant Tiger when they are about $1 each, they come in Beef, Turkey and Chicken, not a huge portion of meat but with mash or chips good for a meal.

If you have a vehicle, check out East 40. They are just off Victoria E, past ACC but before the dump.  
 
I've gotten package from them before and it was good. It's significantly cheaper than places like Tendercut. It's a lot of pork (chops, dinner sausages, bacon etc), but they also had ground beef in the box and sometimes there's chicken.  
 
They are only open during weekdays and closed from 12-1 I think for lunch.

There is always the option of eggs for protein, used as an omelette ( throw in some leftover ham or chopped peppers or peas, sweetcorn kernels) with jacket/baked potato, add baked beans, or even as poached eggs on toast with beans or spaghetti.  
Ideally make yourself a weekly menu for the main meal so that leftovers (if any) can be used within a day or two.  
If you have a microwave then jacket potatoes are quick and save power for the stove.  
Rice or other milk puddings are filling and can be slow cooked or in a low oven, add some jam or syrup when you dish out.  
There really are lots of budget meals, maybe use the internet to find a few and add some variety. Toad in the hole is good with mash and a vegetable, and filling.  
Hope we have given you some ideas.

Or Renards at Virden . The quality at these smaller outlets will be much higher thus inherently better value than the large stores. The egg suggestion is awesome as well, they are packed with so many great important nutrients, they are reasonably priced, can be prepared in dozens of ways and egg quality in Manitoba is second to none.

Just remember when you are buying meat boxes from anywhere, it is important to get inspected meat. Lots of ads on here that are selling meat that are home slaughtered or farm killed animals, which is actually illegal, unless it is poultry.  
There is a percentage of farm kills that are done because the animal is too sick or has an affliction that makes it impossible to transport it to the abattoir...so its done on farm, and sold. The producer may give you some story about not wanting to stress out the animal from transportation, but don't fall for it. Ask the seller which inspected facility it was processed in, and if they cant answer it, walk away. Messing around with yours and your family's health isn't worth it, no matter how good the deal is perceived to be.

is on budget, so probably not likely she would drive to Virden to do her shopping.

Meat should be inspected, makes sense. Myself I do not retail meat but we generally process one beef animal a year for our own use in an inspected facility (Renards meat services). But please don’t tarnish all producers. Most are very responsible and prioritize food safety and animal welfare. Most producers would destroy an animal in poor shape and burn or bury it for its own welfare and safety. Typically most would not process a diseased or infected animal. An animal with a broken leg or similar injury would usually be safe to consume. I recommend smaller outlets because the meat cutting will be carried out to a higher standard and in the case of beef they will be more likely to hang a chilled carcass for the standard 21 days which significantly enhances the taste, texture and tenderness. There are a number of excellent inspected smaller facilities in the area and if you can I urge you to support them. Do not be tempted to undercook, it is very important to cook meat thoroughly and freezing of meat has no detrimental effect on meat quality. If correctly prepared it will be just as good as fresh meat.  
 
Edited by Farmergeorge, 2020-01-27 09:13:13

These are not the greatest deal. Your best bet is to watch flyers and get packs on sale. Buy hamburger in warehouse packs and divide and freeze. Other cuts like steaks get same thing, warehouse packs and divide for multiple day meals.

What we do is watch the sales. You can download the flipp app (assuming you have a smartphone and internet) and that has all the flyers right there to compare prices. We buy chicken in the cases when they're on sale for $27 for a 4kg box. You can also download the flash food app through superstore. It's stuff that will expire in a couple days, but if you cook it or freeze it right away it's safe.

Not trying to tarnish all producers, as the vast majority are excellent ambassadors of the industry, but what i I did say is, a percentage of producers. I stand behind my statement, as there are some unscrupulous producers out there that value the dollar, not the animal or the consumer.  
I agree with you to seek out these local abattoirs and butchers, as they pay attention to the little details and rarely, if ever, cut corners in food safety, as they have reputations to uphold. The action of purchasing the cheap/ illegal meat, undermines these businesses as well as undermines food safety.  
Animals which suffer acute injuries, like a broken leg can be consumed, but would need to enter the abattoir via the emergency kill method, where as the animal is deemed safe to enter the food chain, by a Vet providing an ante-mortem inspection and over sees the euthanizing process and the carcass is transported to the inspected facility, where it is dressed and inspected and then it is processed.

We sell cattle, not meat, but the animals we sell all end up as meat and much of it for the local market. This being said I always have questions about some of the laws. I know there are farm kills that end up in licensed plants or just inspected cutting places, these animals are not inspected before slaughter but are still used as family beef. So one question I have is, if someone were to buy and pay you for an animal it becomes their animal, and are they allowed to slaughter it and take the carcass to a licensed plant for cutting?  
The reason for asking this has to do with what happens in deer season, an animal is slaughtered and field dressed, and then ends up in a government inspected or licensed facility for processing.  
As for anyone advertising farm slaughtered and processed meat on a public forum they are certainly looking for trouble since it is illegal.  
We used to deliver animals to Burns in Brandon when the plant was operating, it was government inspected, but I saw animals unloaded that should have been in the bone pile.