I just started selling at my first farmers' markets this week. I'm looking for ideas on keeping the meat at regulation temperature. Through luck, I have the opportunity to take over the business lease on a Nissan NV2500. I'm really liking it. Cavernous cargo area that stays somewhat climate controlled. Have to make some calls to the accountant and insurance agent, but I'm leaning towards keeping it.

Next step is deciding what to put the meat in. I used coolers today, with a combination of ice and those blue freezer packs. I left them in the van with windows and doors open. Outside air temp reached 85. Thermometer in the cooler held at around 15-20. That should exceed Ag Dept. inspection standards. But a couple sausage packs on the top seemed to be thawing slightly towards the end.

I could use dry ice in the coolers., or put my 7 cf freezer in there and put dry ice in that. The markets generally disallow generators. Although I'm looking at a used Honda gas model that the seller swears is quiet. Someone mentioned an inverter. One market wants vehicles moved out around the corner. So I guess I'll need to have a cooler or two with me regardless.

Any input from the market folks on here?

Are u selling USDA inspected meat? Did you slaughter at a USDA facility? There are a slew of federal regulations regarding the sale of farm raised meats and there are also state by state regulations as well. If you are selling at a farmers market you will be on the inspection tour radar.

Wally

R.V. 's use propane fridge and freezers you could find one or two of those and build a cabinet on a dolly and roll in van on a ramp. John

Yes, USDA inspected with a private label. That's how we roll in Virginia. I know other states are dramatically different. That's what stops me from wanting to sell at places like Eastern Market in DC, despite them being extremely lucrative. The interstate regulations are totally different. We are also allowed to process up to 1000 birds a year without USDA inspection. Rabbits are also non-amenable. And oddly, bison.

The inspector can check your temps at the market. Meat must be held at a minimum of 41 degrees, eggs at 45. I had thermometers in each cooler that I had tested for accuracy. I was well below the minimum temps throughout the markets and upon arriving home. I'm also making spread sheets with each cut listed so that I can know what cuts/weights I have without having to open the coolers or freezer.

Only trick with propane devices is that many markets do not allow them.

Your Extension Agent may help with regulation compliance and ideas; I know in my county in Ohio they help small ag businesses and direct marketers. I believe in Ohio one cannot use passive cooling for meat, only for eggs and cheese. Folks here have chest freezers on pickups or in vans and use local power supply. There is not opportunity to access electric at your farmers' market?

most of the market applications I filled out specified that no electricity is available. And I know people who have been directed to shut off propane generators while at the market. The information about the coolers came from the man who is in charge of running one of the largest market groups in the area. So I don't believe there is any regulation against passive cooling of meat in this state. In fact, he offered me the use of some of his coolers and freeze packs. Some people run the freezers off a generator prior to leaving for the market, use nothing during, and re-hook to the generator upon returning home.

There may be a rule against fresh meat, but all the processors around here immediately flash freeze your meat. I do not like the idea of selling fresh poultry unless it is for on-farm pickup. A frozen chicken won't thaw in the hour it might take the customer to get home.
But a fresh one could be growing bacteria by that time.

I just use a small chest freezer in the back of my PU for deliveries. Makes life really simple. I bring a generator to run around noon for a bit to bring the temp down on really hot days.

Catherine.....is there any way you could use an inverter with the freezer you have?

Katie, what exactly is an inverter? I've had someone else tell me I ought to use one. Haven't had enough time to research.

An inverrter can change battery power to house power (12DC to 120AC) Likely cost you $500 for a battery and $500 for inverter big enough to run a freezer. You could recharge the battery off your pickup while on the road and charger at home.

Catherine....pretty much what Dale said. Except, we were able to get our inverter fro about $200.00 from Advance Auto.

The farrier I used to have used 2 inverters and 1 marine battery and 1 car/truck battery in order to run his grinder, fans etc.

And as Dale said, while you're driving, the battery charges, much like your regular vehicle battery charges via alternator.

i have had real good luck taking the large inverters out of old campers that are at scrap yards etc they usually have good inverters in them and i think the most ive paid for a newer nice one was 35 bucks

We put a chest freezer on the back of the pickup.
We power it with a new honda 2000 watt generator during transport and until the market starts, and immediately after the market ends. 100 feet of cord and put the generator far away also works well.
People love to see the shrink wrapped cuts, so we have some available for viewing, open air but on ice; and let them thaw and use them ourselves at home.....

I have a Nissan NV2500. Is it safe to run a gas generator while driving? I actually have a Honda generator, too.

Do NOT run generator inside van or trailer as exhaust fumes will kill you. You must have it outside.

Catherine,

If the NV2500 is a van, a separate generator must not be run in the air that you breathe. Use an inverter from the van battery and then use the generator at the market per Kevin's 100 foot extension cord. Or mount the generator so that it is outside the van.

If you have enough battery to run it on the inverter while at the market, the generator is not needed.

Neal

Probably "overkill" for your needs but this site (Cool Bot)has a way of using a store bought A/C unit as the cooling device for a cold room/walk-in fridge.

http://storeitcold.com/#

Meant to add this Youtube as well

That's what I figured.

This is tricky. I really don't have anyone to go along and help me at the markets at the moment. At one, I'd have to bring coolers to offload into anyway, because vehicles have to be moved as soon as they're unloaded. I guess the inverter is the way to go in transit.