In the quest for savings and quality, an ingenious South Australian mum-of-seven has discovered a golden hack that’s slashing her grocery bills and bringing farm-fresh meat straight to her family’s table. With the cost of living on the rise and supermarket giants like Woolworths and Coles dominating the market, savvy shoppers are seeking alternative ways to feed their families without breaking the bank. This is the story of how Nerita, a resourceful mother from South Australia, is revolutionising her family’s mealtime while keeping her budget in check.
Nerita’s family, with children ranging from a 7-month-old infant to a 12-year-old, was previously spending a hefty $500 weekly at traditional supermarkets. But with careful meal planning and a strategic shift in her shopping habits, she’s found a way to significantly cut costs. The secret? Bypassing the supermarket middlemen and going directly to the source—local farmers.
Through an innovative online platform called Farmer to Fridge, Nerita has tapped into a network of farmers offering their meat products directly to consumers. She took the plunge and purchased an eighth of a cow for just $300, which included a variety of cuts such as flank and fillet steak, rump, T-Bone, Porthouse, mince, and sausages. When you break down the cost, it’s about $11 per kilo based on the dressed weight, which is a steal compared to supermarket prices.
For context, let’s consider the cost of meat at Woolworths and Coles. Half a kilo of beef mince can set you back $6.50, or $13 per kilo. A 10-pack of beef sausages costs $5.90, equating to $10.73 per kilogram, and a T-Bone steak soars to $31 per kilogram. The savings Nerita is enjoying are not just pennies; they’re significant enough to make a real difference in her family’s budget.
Nerita’s initial purchase is a trial run, a way to gauge how well her family adapts to the new cuts of meat and to determine the impact on their monthly grocery expenses. She’s also planning ahead, saving up for a deep freezer to store half a cow, which will further her savings and ensure a steady supply of quality meat.
The Farmer to Fridge platform was founded by James Gilbert, who envisioned a system where farmers could earn retail prices for their meat, rather than just the livestock value. Since its inception two years ago, the platform has seen remarkable growth, with sales skyrocketing from $1 million in its first year to an impressive $4 million from 16,000 orders in 2024.
Customers are initially drawn in by the cost savings, but it’s the superior quality of the meat that keeps them coming back. With around 100 different farmers offering a variety of products, the potential for savings varies, but the consensus is clear: buying in bulk through Farmer to Fridge can lead to substantial discounts, with average prices per kilo for meat once it’s in your freezer falling between $15 to $16.
Have you tried buying directly from farmers or using similar platforms? We’d love to hear your experiences and any tips you have for saving on groceries. Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s help each other with smarter, budget-friendly shopping!
Also read: Grocery price predictions for 2025: Experts’ insights
