The Boston metropolitan area is commonly known for its institutions of higher education like MIT and Harvard. They attract tens of thousands of the brightest minds from the world every year. That’s why it’s not surprising that the meat industry in Boston is colorful and shaped by various international cuisines. In addition to the strong presence of ethnic restaurants in Boston, the city is also among the leaders in innovation in the meat niche market. A lot of the research on lab-grown meat (also known as cultured meat) is done at some of the top universities in Boston. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the Boston meat industry. We’ll also share more about some of the popular wholesale meat distributors in Boston. Make sure to also check our posts about Massachusetts seafood suppliers and the best coffee roasters in Boston.
Key takeaway: The Boston meat industry is commonly associated with seafood products. However, poultry, beef, and pork are also very popular like in other parts of America. The universities in this region attract many young people from different corners of the world. That shapes the local restaurant sector and is one of the reasons why roast beef sandwiches are very popular.
Meat Consumption in Boston
Boston is one of the most famous US cities worldwide. That’s why it’s no surprise that it has a distinct culture in terms of meat consumption. For example, Bostonians really love seafood and roast beef sandwiches. That’s why you’ll find many seafood restaurants and sandwich shops in the Greater Boston area. The city also gave the name to the Boston butt – a pork shoulder cut that is used in various recipes. Boston is also where the Union Oyster House is located, the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the US. It’s been open to diners since 1826.
Boston played an important role in the craft beer revolution. The city is known for its multiple breweries that manufacture various types of craft beer. As the region is full of young people who wish to try new flavors, breweries have an incentive to experiment with different brewing techniques and introduce new beers. Young people are the main driver of changes in the meat industry as well. In recent years, business owners in the food service sector have incorporated more vegetarian dishes into their menus and vegan meat alternatives.
Generally speaking, seafood plays the most important role of meat in restaurants in Boston. Poultry, beef, and pork are also popular options. Meat trends such as vegetarian meat substitutes are slowly making progress in Boston and other cities in the US.
Boston Meat Suppliers
There are multiple Boston meat suppliers who serve Massachusetts and the New England area. As there are many important ports in the area, it’s not surprising that there are also broadline distributors and importers who ship products across the country. Below we have shared a list of some of the best wholesalers from the Boston meat sector.
South Shore Meats
This Boston meat business traces its roots back to 1917 when the Crocetti family opened their Italian grocery store. Since then, their business has developed in various directions. Crocetti’s is primarily known as a retail butcher shop that offers meat subscriptions and deliveries. In 1977 they acquired another business which is now known as the Crocetti's Oakdale Packing Company. This subsidiary specialized in Italian sausages but later started offering pork, veal, and lamb products. The Oakdale Farms Marinated Meats is also one of their brands. South Shore Meats is their wholesale manufacturing division that’s been operating since 1990 and offers quality wholesale meat for food service businesses and grocery stores in the New England area.
Known for: Their additional brands – Crocetti's Oakdale Packing Company and Oakdale Farms Marinated Meats.
Dom's Sausage
Although they’re primarily known as a B2C company, Dom’s Sausage also offers services as a wholesale meat distribution company. Their B2B sales are focused not only on Boston but on other cities in the New England region. Dom’s take great pride in their steak tips. Even though that’s their specialty product, the company also offers poultry, lamb, pork, and other meat products. Dom's has launched an official tailgate box subscription in partnership with the New England Patriots.
Known for: Their special steak tips and their partnership with the New England Patriots.
D & N Provisions
Although the company is primarily known for its retail and wholesale sales of meat products, it also offers other product categories. They aim to be a one-stop shop for restaurant managers or other business owners looking for a reliable distributor. That’s why their catalogs also include dairy products, seafood, produce, dry goods, specialty food, and other products such as cooking oil and condiments.
Known for: Their wide variety of products, including dairy, seafood, dry goods, and produce.
S.M. Sneider
Operating since 1987, the company has been among the preferred Boston meat suppliers. They work with both retail and business customers in the area. S.M. Sneider supplies various types of meat products to food service businesses, retail markets, and other small, medium, and large companies. They deliver their products from a modern USDA-inspected facility and are HACCP-certified in both meat and seafood.
Known for: They offer a range of high-quality products in different categories.
Puritan Beef
Established in 1911, Puritan Beef Company is considered to be the oldest retail meat store in Boston. They also work with businesses that are looking for a reliable Boston meat distributor. From high-end beef steaks to popular poultry and pork products, Puritan Beef offers a wide selection of meat products.
Known for: Their history as the oldest retail meat store in Boston.
Frequently Asked Questions about Boston Meat Consumption and Distributors
Whether you want to know how to start a meat business or you’re interested in the size of the global meat market, BlueCart has posts on various topics. Below are the answers to some commonly asked questions regarding the Boston meat sector.
What Meat Is Boston Known For?
Seafood is the most important type of meat in New England cuisine. That’s why Boston and other cities in the region are known for dishes like clam chowder and cod in oyster sauce. However, poultry and beef are also among the popular types of meat in Boston. They can be found in traditional New England dishes like chicken fricassee and corned beef.
Boston is also known for its roast beef sandwiches. There are multiple sandwich shops in the area as people with busy schedules search for convenient options for lunch. Other types of deli meat and cold cuts like sliced turkey or ham are also popular.
What Is a Boston Steak?
The sub-primal sirloin steak is often called a Boston steak in Massachusetts and other New England states. It’s boneless, very tender, and well-marbled cut. The cut was first introduced in 2014 by Carlo Crocetti, a renowned Boston butcher. Since then, it has become a popular ingredient within the local restaurant industry. Although Boston strip steak is not as popular as the New York strip or the Kansas City strip, it can be a great addition to the menu of both casual dining and fine-dining establishments.
How to Choose a Meat Supplier in Boston?
Businesses that wish to find suppliers of meat products need to search for wholesalers that offer quality cuts. As meat is an easily perishable product, freshness is extremely important. Here are other factors to consider when choosing a Boston meat distributor.
- Businesses often prefer to work with suppliers who can offer a wide selection of products, from wholesale deli meats to poultry, beef, and pork cuts.
- When searching for a Boston meat distributor, consider choosing one that is committed to innovation and new technologies as that can save both time and money.
- Availability and flexibility are important as well. Competitive wholesale prices and fast shipping are among the main factors when choosing a distributor.