In recent years, the concept of meat subscription boxes has gained significant traction, catering to consumers seeking convenience, quality, and ethical sourcing in their meat consumption habits. These subscription services offer a curated selection of meats delivered right to the customer's doorstep on a regular basis. 

As the demand for high-quality, locally sourced meat continues to grow, starting a meat subscription service presents a lucrative business opportunity. In this article, we jump into the key considerations and steps involved in launching your own meat subscription business, with a focus on how Local Line can make it just a little bit easier.

9 steps to start a meat subscription service

1. Create a business plan
2. Source and curate your meat selection
3. Define your subscription box model
4. Choose the right e-commerce platform and website builder
5. Optimize packaging and logistics for meat delivery
6. Set competitive prices for new subscriptions
7. Promote your subscription business and make money
8. Prioritize customer service and retention
9. Launch your meat subscription service

1. Create a business plan

The first step to success is to develop your business plan. A business plan is the roadmap to your meat subscription box program’s success. Start with your goals. What is your revenue target? Break up your goals into short-term (what will you accomplish in one year) and long-term (what will you accomplish in 5 years?). Mapping out the mission, vision, and goals for your business will allow you to make smart decisions when it comes to marketing, selling, and growing your business.

Understanding your target market

Understanding your target market is the foundation of any successful business venture. Who are these meat subscriptions for?

• The busy family who wants to always have dinner ready in the freezer?
• The conscious couple who’s willing to splurge on their meat?
• The single gym rat who wants the best quality protein?

Before starting your subscription service, conduct thorough market research to identify your potential customers. Who is in your area? What channels do you have available? Where are customers currently buying their meat? Do you have any competitors? Take the time to fully understand who you want to target and how they fit into your area.

2. Source and curate your meat selection

When selecting meats for your subscription service, consider what sets your business apart. If your focus is on quality and ethical sourcing, these should be prominently highlighted. Yet, remember, each meat subscription service might emphasize different aspects, such as affordability, specialty meats, or convenience.

Communicating the quality of your product

One of the distinguishing factors of a meat subscription box is the emphasis on quality and sourcing transparency; especially when you’re paying a premium. Your customers are increasingly mindful of where their food comes from and how it's produced. Whether you are producing the products yourself or sourcing from other local producers, ensure that this is at the forefront of your brand messaging.

To communicate this to your customers, take the time to write out some resources on your product. What production methods do you use? Where does the meat get processed? How often do you butcher? Do you have any certifications? The more information you can provide your customer base, the more trust they’ll have in your brand. 

Diversifying your product offering

In addition to your own production, you may consider sourcing products from other local producers. Curating a diverse selection that appeals to various tastes and dietary restrictions. Find like-minded local producers in your area to build out your offering. 

Local Line offers an advanced vendor management system that allows you to manage inventory and sell products from multiple different suppliers. With Connections, farms to connect with each other and with hubs to sell online. 

Learn more about Local Line Hub 2.0.

3. Define your subscription box business model

There are many different subscription models you can offer. Here are a few examples:

• Monthly farmer’s choice box: Customers can choose from one or two sizes of box (i.e. big or small), and every month, they get a box delivered to their doorstep with a variety of cuts based on what’s available. 
• Customizable box: Customers have a set amount of credit they can spend each month and fill their box based on their preferences.
• Nose-to-tail: Customers bulk buy a “portion” of an email (i.e., ¼ cow, ½ cow, or full cow). 
• Flexible start dates: You offer flexible start dates and ordering frequency - can order weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.
• CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) subscription: A CSA subscription model involves customers buying a "share" in the farm's livestock, guaranteeing them a portion of the meat produced throughout the season. The farmer decides the variety and quantity based on availability. This option raises the question, "Should you run a meat CSA?" Evaluating its benefits and challenges will help determine if it aligns with your business goals and customer needs.

4. Choose the right e-commerce platform and website builder

Selecting the best e-commerce or sales platform is crucial for the success of your meat subscription service. Running subscriptions can quickly become messy—you want a platform that can support the complexity of the model while also making it easier for you! Your platform should do the work for you, not the other way around.

Look for a platform that offers e-commerce subscription capabilities,  inventory management, easy online payment methods, and the ability to sell variable-weight products online. 

Local Line stands out as a top e-commerce platform built specifically for ranchers selling meat online, with built-in subscription capabilities and other farm data integrations.

To learn more about Local Line’s subscription feature, we wrote an e-book, How to Sell and Manage Subscriptions. Download for free now!

Local Line also offers an easy-to-use, affordable farm website builder to host your farm website. Choose from many different curated templates and make it your own with drag-and-drop functionality. Your website will be up and running within no time.

5. Optimize packaging and logistics for meat delivery

Logistics play a big role in meat box subscriptions. Do you offer delivery or only pick-up? Delivery can have many pros for your business. For example, if you’re targeting the busy family or your product positioning is around convenience, offering delivery is a given. However, delivery must be profitable for you. 

• Will you do the delivery yourself?
• Do you charge a delivery fee?
• What is your delivery radius? 
• Do you currently have a truck you can use?

These are just a few of the many questions you should answer. Here is an article that outlines how to measure delivery costs. We also created a calculator to measure the minimum order value required to offer profitable delivery. 

If delivery is not feasible for your business, consider using pick up locations. In this article, we explain how to find good pick up location partners for your farm.

In addition to logistics, you want to think about packaging. Packaging plays a vital role in ensuring the freshness and safety of your meat deliveries. How will you package your meat to ensure it stays frozen by the time it gets to your customer? Also, consider if the customer is not home during the delivery, how long will it stay frozen after delivery? 

Implement best practices for sustainable and effective packaging and prioritize maintaining the cold chain throughout the delivery process. There are many new advancements and common practices in packaging your meat boxes.

6. Set competitive prices for new subscriptions

Develop a pricing strategy that balances competitiveness with quality to attract and retain your customers. It’s always a good idea to offer different subscription tiers and customization options to cater to varying preferences and budgets. You can also consider incorporating shipping costs into your pricing strategy.

We sat down with Sarah, owner of Black Barn Farms in Dryden, Ontario, to get some insight on how to price meat. Check out the article to get Sarah’s best tips and tricks.

7. Promote your subscription business and make money

Promoting your meat subscription business requires a multi-channel approach, including social media, email marketing, a great website, paper or in-person marketing, and more. In addition, you can also consider leveraging search engine optimization (SEO), paid advertising, and engaging content to build an online presence. 

We wrote a book to better equip farmers with the skills and tools they need. Ready Farmer One: The Farmers’ Guide to Selling and Marketing is an all-in-one handbook for farmers looking to sell directly to their customer base. 

We also hosted a webinar all about marketing your meat. Watch the recording here. 

8. Prioritize customer service and retention

To keep your meat subscription service customers happy and subscribed, responding to customer complaints quickly and with empathy is key. This shows your customers that their satisfaction is important to you, helping to maintain their loyalty and highlighting your commitment to excellent service.

Adding loyalty programs and incentives for long-term subscribers is also a great strategy to retain high-value customers. Personalized perks, offers and discounts sent through email marketing campaigns let customers know they're appreciated for their ongoing support, boosting their connection to your brand. 

Implementing a review and feedback system is another effective approach. By openly displaying reviews and actively responding to feedback, you make sure customers feel listened to and appreciated. This strategy not only motivates them to continue their subscriptions but also attracts new customers by demonstrating your brand's commitment to transparency and quality service.

9. Launch your meat subscription service

It's time to launch your meat subscription service! Remember, marketing and growing your meat subscription service is an iterative process. After making a splash with your launch, keep the momentum going by continuously engaging with your audience, refining your offerings based on feedback, and adapting your strategies to meet changing market demands. Your dedication to improvement will keep your subscription service vibrant and relevant, paving the way for long-term success.

Ready to start a meat subscription service with Local Line?

Starting a meat subscription service requires careful planning, attention to quality, and effective marketing. Local Line provides the essential tools and resources needed to streamline the process, from sourcing local suppliers to managing subscriptions and payments. By leveraging Local Line's e-commerce subscription software, you can confidently enter the market and establish a successful meat subscription business.

Frequently Asked Questions about starting a meat subscription service

What are the biggest challenges when starting a meat subscription service?

Finding the right customers is one of the biggest challenges when starting a meat subscription box. The success of a subscription depends on the number of recurring customers you have. Building a dedicated and trusting customer base can be difficult if you're starting from scratch. Trust plays a huge factor in whether or not someone will buy from you. Start by finding customers in your own network. Friends, family, neighbors, etc. After you have a handful of customers, start building social proof by collecting testimonials and building out a referral program. Social media, paid advertising, and SEO are great tools to build brand awareness as your customer base grows, but always start with those around you first. 

How can I market my meat subscription box to stand out?

Unfortunately, in today’s market, you’re competing with some pretty big players. The best way to have your business stand out is you! One thing you have, compared to a big, nationwide meat box service, is that you’re the one producing the food. Many of these larger competitors source from multiple different producers across the country or even internationally. Leverage compelling storytelling, video content, and in-person opportunities to make connections with your audience. The more people fall in love with your messaging and brand, the more likely they are to continue to shop from you and refer their friends.

How profitable is a meat subscription?

Profitability depends on various factors, including pricing strategy, customer acquisition and retention, operational efficiency, and economies of scale. Because you are selling directly to customers versus through a wholesaler, you do receive higher margins on your products.

Can I sell meat on the internet?

Yes, you can definitely sell meat online. Platforms such as Local Line, sales software built for farmers, have tons of features and workflows that will allow you to collect orders, manage your inventory, and fulfill orders. Learn more in this article about selling meat by weight online.

How to advertise meat online?

There are many different strategies for advertising meat online. Popular channels include social media, email marketing, content marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO) to promote your meat subscription service effectively. We hosted a webinar with Kendall Ballantine from Marketing for Farmers to discuss all the different ways you can Market Your Meat effectively. 

At Local Line, we want to show you that selling online is easy and profitable, no matter how many different customer segments, enterprises, and/or subscription options you have. Thousands of ranchers and meat producers trust Local Line as their sales platform. Sign up for your 7-day free trial today! No credit card is required.