Mail order meat can be ordered in bulk or smaller portions from catalogs or websites. Initially only available frozen, faster shipping now allows for fresh meat delivery. Exotic meats and prepared dishes are also available.
Mail order meat is normally ordered from a catalog or through a website on the Internet. It can be ordered in bulk or in smaller portions for families or individuals. Some companies specialize in fresh or frozen meats, while others sell both types. Popular types of mail order meats include beef, pork, lamb, veal and a number of types of seafood.
Mail order meat was first introduced to consumers in the mid-1950s. Some wholesale meat companies that previously supplied meat exclusively to supermarkets and restaurants began offering the service to the general population. This was seen as a boon for housewives who lived in remote areas and had little access to a wide variety of commercially produced meats.
When initially introduced, mail order meats were normally only available in a frozen state. They were normally frozen and packed with dry ice to ensure they reached the consumer in good condition. Since shipping methods were not as fast and far-reaching as they are today, transportation problems arose.
As overnight shipping has become available to more consumers, mail order businesses are expanding. Along with beef, which was the most popular mail order meat for many years, pork, chicken, lamb, and veal became widely available. Coastal seafood companies soon advertised lobster, shrimp, crab, and other seafood available by mail order. Faster shipping also allowed companies to ship fresh meat to customers who preferred it over frozen varieties.
Over the next several decades, mail order meat experienced a significant increase in popularity. Well-known meat packing plants and restaurants famous for their quality beef and pork have started marketing their most popular products to consumers. These companies have often sent out discount coupons and free shipping offers to potential customers via mass mailings.
In recent years, mail order meat choices have increased. In addition to the more traditional offerings of beef, pork, lamb, fish and chicken, less common meats such as bison, buffalo and goat can be mail-ordered. Exotic meats such as ostrich, alligator, turtle, python and crocodile are often readily available by mail order as well. Game enthusiasts can purchase deer, elk, wild boar, antelope and a variety of wild fowl through the mail.
One form of mail order meat that is gaining popularity in some industries is preparing meat dishes. Gourmet dishes such as beef wellington, chicken cordon bleu, roast pork, and stuffed poultry can be ordered from a variety of companies, often along with appropriate side dishes. These offerings are normally shipped frozen and reheated in a microwave oven by the consumer at their convenience.
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