FAQs

Where does your meat come from?

All of our meat comes from 20 small, family run farms based in Dorset and Wiltshire that use traditional methods of animal husbandry in a natural and biodiverse growing environment and allow their animals to grow at a natural pace.

You can read more about our farmers here.

Is your meat grass-fed and free-range and what do your animals eat?

Yes.

Our cows and sheep enjoy a natural diet of 100%, pure grass and wildflowers, hay and haylage, rich in essential vitamins and minerals.

Our outdoor reared, free-range pigs eat natural and homegrown cereals, vegetables, brassicas, roots and shrubs.

Our free-range chickens are fed on homegrown cereals, shrubs, insects and grass.

Our wild game eat a natural and varied diet of grass, cereals, insects and berries.

When you say ethically reared, what do you actually mean?

We only work with farmers who prioritise animal welfare and who use traditional, free-range farming methods, allowing their animals to live in outdoor conditions enjoying a natural diet untainted by growth promoters and chemicals.

Is your meat organic?

No.

Our 100% grass-fed meat is sourced from small-scale, local farms and has been produced ethically, compassionately and in harmony with nature.

The Soil Association (who are the principal certifying body for organic meat in the UK) only require organic cattle to be 60% grass-fed and 40% from processed grains. Our cattle are only fed 100% grass throughout their lives which is healthier for the animals, and for us.

Our farmers have not applied for organic certification as they don’t need to. We believe that the organic label does not go as far as it could, and that our meat is equally as good as that with the organic tag.

Is your meat Halal?

None of our meat is finished following Halal processes.

Do you have your own abattoir?

No.

We use small, farm-scale, local abattoirs that are within a very short distance to us thereby reducing travelling time.

Is your fish fresh and sustainable?

Yes.

We have ensured that our fresh fish is sustainable and responsibly caught by a trusted group of local fishermen who are based along the coast of Dorset, Devon and Cornwall, run small day-boats and fish in the proper way. With the effects of overfishing impacting our seas, we believe that we should only eat fish that has been responsibly caught from fishing grounds that provide a sustainable marine environment. Which is why we do not buy any fish that has been beam trawled in order to ensure the seabed is protected.

Our fresh fish is rated as sustainable in line with the Marine Conservation Society’s Good Fish Guide, meaning that you can be assured that when you buy fresh fish online for delivery to your home, it’s from locations where stock is plentiful and caught using responsible, ethical fishing methods.

Why do the individual packs say  “North East Atlantic”?

Because we legally have to state the area of the ocean in which our seafood is caught, as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The whole of the United Kingdom falls within the North East Atlantic being fishing area 27.  

Is your fish fresh or frozen?

Fresh, not previously frozen. 

Can I place an order for both grass fed meat and fresh, sustainable fish?

Yes you can.

If I place an order for both grass fed meat and fresh, sustainable fish, will they be packed in the same box?

Yes. 

Is there a minimum order amount for sustainable fish.

No. You can just simply add one item of fish to your order.

If I want to add sustainable fish as part of my overall order, when will it be delivered?

Fish is not available for delivery on Tuesdays.

You can add sustainable fish to your order for delivery on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Can I add a single fish item to my meat order? 

Yes.

Can I order fresh, sustainable fish for delivery on a Saturday?

Yes you can.     

DELIVERIES

How much is the delivery charge?

For orders between £30.00 and £75.00, it’s £4.95.

For orders above £75.00, delivery is free(excluding Saturday delivery).

For orders placed for Saturday delivery, there is a charge of £7.95.

What days do you deliver on? 

We deliver across mainland UK every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and Saturday.

Our fresh, sustainable fish is not available for delivery on any Tuesday. 

This is because at the beginning of each week, our fresh, sustainable fish that is landed at South Coast fishing ports on Mondays does not allow us to pack your order on a Monday for next day delivery on Tuesday. 

Therefore, the first available delivery day each week for a sustainable, fresh fish order is a Wednesday, and then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  

We need you to place your order with us 2 days before it is scheduled for delivery.

We’ve put together a little table below that sets out our order deadlines. You can of course order as far ahead as you may wish by selecting any future delivery date to suit you.

What time will my order arrive?

We work with DHL who will deliver your order to you up to 8.00p.m (or later) on your delivery day.

You will receive a text and email notification on your delivery day giving you a 1 hour delivery time slot. This will also include a tracking number (consignment number) for convenience. You can get an update on your delivery time by simply going to track.dhlparcel.co.uk and entering your tracking (consignment) number.

Do I have to be at home on the day you deliver?

No.

Just let us know where you want the box left when you place your order. You can do this in the section called “Delivery Instructions”. Somewhere safe would be good, a porch, shed or garage.

If you prefer, we can deliver it to you at work, just let us know.

ORDERING

Do we have to sign up to a regular order?

No.

Your can order as a one-off, or as often as suits you.

Do you offer a recurring order service?

Yes, we do. Simply go to our Subscription page and its all set out there for you.

Is there a minimum order value?

Yes. £30.00

When is the order deadline?

We need you to place your order with us 2 days before it is scheduled for delivery.

Have a look at the table to check your delivery day:

Our fresh, sustainable fish is not available for delivery on any Tuesday. This is because at the beginning of each week, our fresh fish that is landed at South Coast fishing ports on Mondays does not allow us to despatch for delivery on Tuesdays. 

If you are unsure as to your delivery day, please call us on 01747 811077.

Why do you have a 2 day order deadline?

As we source our meat from small local farms, we need to give them and the butcher a sensible amount of time to get your order prepared. This allows them to plan and the dry-ageing and hanging process to run its proper course.

PACKAGING

What about packaging?

So that your meat box and fish box arrives in tip-top condition, we prepare each order by hand so that it’s fresh, vacuum-pack each item and then pack it in a temperature controlled, fully recyclable chilled liner and double gauge cardboard box in order to ensure that the contents stay chilled for over 48 hours.

We use a leading temperature controlled food packaging system from our packaging partner Protective Packaging that enables us to send your meat box overnight using the DHL national courier network with complete confidence.

Climate testing validates that the Protective Packaging system will perform on a UK based extreme peak summer temperature profile for more than 24 hrs and 48 hrs during winter testing (held between +2˚c to +8˚).

Do I keep my empty box and ice packs?

Yes.

The ice packs make great bottle coolers!

SUBSCRIPTION

How do I set up a subscription order?

All you need to do is to select your favourite items in your basket, go to checkout and simply set your order up to be delivered either every week, every 2 weeks, or every month. You can do this in the Delivery section.

You can pause, cancel or change the contents of your order whenever you wish online from the ‘Subscriptions’ tab in your Account. Alternatively, email us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or call our Customer Services Team on 01747811077.

We are here to help.

Am I tied into the subscription? 

No, not at all.

You can cancel or pause the order at any time from the ‘Subscriptions’ tab in your Account, or by emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or call our Customer Services Team on 01747811077.

Can I add or delete items to my regular box myself when I wish to?

 Yes you can.

You can do this from the ‘Subscriptions’ tab in your Account, or by emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or call our Customer Services Team on 01747811077.

 Is there a minimum order value?

 Yes, £30.00.

 How regularly will my order be delivered?

It’s up to  you.

You can set the order to arrive either every 1, 2 or 4 weeks on a recurring basis.

Will I be reminded that the delivery is coming so I have time to make any changes?

 Yes, you will receive an email reminder 6 days prior to your scheduled delivery date.

Can I call you to set up my regular order or do I have to do it online?

Yes, you can call us on 01747811077 at any time and we will be happy to set it up for you.

 Can I cancel my order whenever I wish?

 Yes, you are not tied in so you can cancel your order at any time either from account or by emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or calling us on 01747811077.

However, we will need 48 hours notice prior to your next delivery date. By cancelling you will automatically cancel your regular payment and you will receive an email confirming this.

Can I pause my order whenever I wish?

Yes, you can pause your order at any time either from your Account or by emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or calling us on 01747811077.

If I pause my order, when can I restart it?

 You can do this in 2 ways.

From the ‘Subscriptions’ tab in your Account, when the next available delivery from the date you wish to restart will automatically be chosen for you.

Or

By emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or calling us on 01747811077.

Can I change the delivery frequency of my subscription?

Can I add sustainable fish to my recurring meat subscription order?

Yes you can.

Yes you can.

You can do this either from the ‘Subscriptions’ tab in your Account, or by emailing us at info@thedorsetmeatcompany.co.uk or calling us on 01747811077.

How do I pay?

You can use any type of credit or debit card but not Paypal.

Can I change my delivery address?

Yes, you can.

Can I use your eGift Cards to pay for my subscription order?

Yes, you can.

Will your Refer A Friend offer apply to a subscription order?

Yes, you will receive 10% off your first order and your friend will receive 10% off their first order.