The North Carolina State University received a $941,497 Project Grant award from the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service under the Farmers Market and Local Food Promotion Program. The goal of the project is to develop, coordinate, and expand bulk meat sales through an online direct marketing channel. This will increase farmer profitability, streamline processing, and improve accessibility, affordability, and availability of local, pasture-raised meats for consumers. The university will adapt lessons from a 2020 online sales platform pilot launched in response to increased consumer demand for local meat during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform connects farmers and consumers for bulk meat sales of whole, half, and quarter carcasses. Cornell University will receive a sub-award to develop new meat market resources in North Carolina and New York, including an addition to the Meat Price Calculator tool called "Bundle Builder." The project period is from September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2024.