Step-by-Step for Purchasing Bulk Pork Shares

Stacie Edwards
Jun 5
3 min read

Updated: Jun 6

Buying in bulk from our farm means you’ll always have delicious, forest-raised pork on hand while saving money.

No last-minute grocery runs, no wondering where your meat came from—just high-quality pork, straight from our farm to your freezer.

Here’s how it works:

1. Decide What You Need

First, choose between a whole or half pork share (also called a whole or half hog).

A whole share includes the entire hog, while a half share is half of that.

Consider:

Freezer space – You’ll need 7-7.5 cubic feet for a whole hog and 3.5-4 cubic feet for a half.
Cost – A whole hog is cheaper per pound, but requires a larger upfront investment.
Family size – How much pork do you eat weekly? Most customers choose a whole pork share to ensure they have enough until the next processing.

This is the freshest pork you’ve ever put in your freezer. As long as the vacuum seal remains intact, it will stay fresh indefinitely.

2. Place Your Non-Refundable Deposit

Secure your share by placing a non-refundable deposit HERE.

This locks in your order and helps us plan processing. Your deposit will be applied to your final total.

3. Choose Your Processing Preferences

Once your order is secured, we’ll set up a time to walk you through your processing options.

Whether you want bone-in or boneless chops, more roasts, extra sausage, or plenty of bacon, we’ll customize your cuts to fit your family's needs.

4. Wait for Processing

Once we have your preferences, your hog will be sent to our trusted processor.

We use Circle S Meats. They are located on 1201 McEntire Road in Rutherfordton, NC.

We’ll keep you updated on the timeline so you know when to expect your pork.

5. Final Payment to Us

After processing, we’ll note the hanging weight of your pork and contact you for final payment based on this weight.

Click HERE to see our current pork share prices.

6. Pick Up from the Processor/Butcher

When your pork is ready, you’ll pick it up directly from the processor. We’ll provide all the details for a smooth pickup.

Our processor is located at 1201 McEntire Road in Rutherfordton, NC.

Typically, pork shares are ready within 7-10 business days from drop-off.

7. Shop Your Freezer & Enjoy

With your freezer stocked, meal planning is easier than ever.

Plus, we’ll send you recipes and cooking tips to help you get the most out of your pork share.

Why Buy in Bulk?

✔ Saves Money – Cheaper per pound than buying individual cuts.

✔ Convenient – A variety of cuts ready for any meal—no grocery store trips required.

✔ Better Quality – Our forest-raised pork is raised with care, resulting in rich flavor and superior texture.

Things to Know About Custom Pork Shares

Sausage Availability

Sausage comes from trim meat, and if you opt for every single cut available, there may not be enough trim left for sausage. Additionally, our butchers require a 10 lb minimum for sausage making.

The leanness of the hog also affects sausage availability—leaner hogs naturally have less trim, meaning sausage may not always be an option.

Bacon & Belly Cuts

The amount of belly meat you receive depends on the hog’s leanness.

For leaner hogs, slicing the belly into bacon may not be possible due to butcher equipment limitations. If that’s the case, you’ll receive the whole belly to slice at home to your preferred thickness.

We do everything we can to make your custom pork share exactly what you want, but we also appreciate your understanding of natural variations in forest-raised pork.

However, since using Circle S Meats, we have not run into this issue. But it is something we want you to be aware of!

Have Questions? We're Here to Help!

Buying pork in bulk is a big investment, and we want you to feel completely confident in your decision.

If you’d like more guidance, complete the form below and we'll break the entire process down step by step.

Thank you for choosing Edwards Family Farms—we’re honored to be your trusted farmers!