How Buying Pork in Bulk Saves You Money — and Feeds You for Months
Buying a whole or half hog might feel like a big upfront investment — but it’s one that pays off meal after meal, month after month. When you buy pork in bulk from Sullivan Farms, you're not only getting pasture-raised meat you can trust—you're getting it at a better value than buying individual cuts from the store.
Let’s break down how it works, why it saves you money, and what kind of value you can expect.
More Meat, Less Money
One of the biggest advantages of buying in bulk is the cost per pound. When you buy individual cuts from a grocery store or farmers market — say, a few pork chops or a pack of bacon — you’re often paying a premium price.
But when you purchase a whole or half hog, your cost per pound is significantly lower. You get a freezer full of pork at a fraction of the price per cut — plus, you’re getting a higher-quality, better tasting product and supporting a small farm that raises animals with care and integrity.
A Custom Cut Means Custom Cost
Your final cost depends on what you choose to have done with the meat. Here’s the gist:
Simple cuts = lower cost. If you stick with primal cuts like roasts, chops, or ground pork, the processing costs stay lower.
More specialized options = higher cost. If you opt for custom sausage blends, brats, or cured hams, your processing fees may go up slightly—because each of those extra steps adds time and labor.
Lock in a Price Long-Term
It’s also worth noting: when you place your order now, you lock in the current price for the duration of the time you eat the meat (6 months to a year) — even if pork prices go up in the months ahead.
So... How Much Does It Cost?
It’s hard to give a single dollar amount, since the weight of the hog (the hanging weight) and your choices influence the price.
Ultimately, your cost depends on two factors: Your hog’s hanging weight (total weight of the hog) plus the processing cost of your chosen cuts.
For a whole hog, you’re looking at $3.75 per pound of hanging weight, plus a processing cost that will be based on your choice of cuts. For a half hog, you’re looking at $4 per pound of hanging weight, plus a processing cost based on your choice of cuts.
Here’s a general ballpark breakdown, working with an example hog that weighs 200lbs of hanging weight:
Whole Hog Cost Estimate
Hog price based on hanging weight: 200 lbs x $3.75/lb = $750 for the whole hog
Processing cost estimate: $250 processing
Total cost estimate for a whole hog: $1,000.00 (ballpark)
Half Hog Cost Estimate
Hog price based on hanging weight: 100 lbs x $4.00/lb = $400 for the half hog
Processing cost estimate: $150 processing
Total cost estimate for a half hog: $550.00 (ballpark)
Bulk Buying = Long-Term Value
Beyond cost per pound, here’s what you’re really getting:
Dozens of meals already in your freezer
The ability to cook at home more often (and avoid the takeout temptation)
A sense of security knowing you have high-quality meat on hand
A direct connection to the people raising your food
It fills your freezer — and supports your values!
