Farmers' Market Chicken

So, 2 weeks back I bought a chicken at the Evanston Farmers' Market. I didn't think much of it, took it home, put it in the freezer and pulled it out this weekend to roast. What I saw kind of peeved me a bit. The packed on date said "May 24th". There was no sell by date. Now I don't know what to do. I didn't eat it, and am not considering eating a chicken that's been frozen for 5 months. This chicken wasn't cheap either. I want to take it back and ask for another one but I have no receipt or proof that I didn't buy it in May.

What would you do?

JLenart wrote:What would you do?

I would not buy frozen meat in the first place. I know it's fashionable to say you bought your goods at he Farmers Market, but until the farmers start selling fresh meat, I see no reason to pay extra for inferior merchandise.

stevez wrote:

JLenart wrote:What would you do?

I would not buy frozen meat in the first place. I know it's fashionable to say you bought your goods at he Farmers Market, but until the farmers start selling fresh meat, I see no reason to pay extra for inferior merchandise.

So you're saying I got what I paid for? Thanks for your very helpful comments on this situation.

JLenart wrote:

stevez wrote:

JLenart wrote:What would you do?

I would not buy frozen meat in the first place. I know it's fashionable to say you bought your goods at he Farmers Market, but until the farmers start selling fresh meat, I see no reason to pay extra for inferior merchandise.

So you're saying I got what I paid for? Thanks for your very helpful comments on this situation.

Sorry, I didn't mean to be unhelpful. It's just that the frozen meat situation is one of my biggest pet peeves. Every time it comes up, it's like waving a red cape in front of a bull.

To answer your question a little more directly, yes, you should at least attempt to return it and complain about the fact that they sell frozen chicken with an unknown expiration date. There's little they can do about not selling frozen meat under current regulations, but if enough people complain about it, maybe the farmers and the farmers market operators will put some pressure on their legislators to help them out of this unacceptable situation.

I don't know about Evanston, but the city of Chicago doesn't allow fresh meat or poultry to be sold at farmer's markets, only frozen. As long as your chicken was kept frozen I don't think I'd worry about it.

JLenart wrote:What would you do?

If I were you, I'd just eat the dang chicken. If a chicken that has been frozen for 5 months shocks you, you should not come to my house and inspect my freezer.
Love, K_E

While I also avoid frozen meat, I have picked up some tips along the way that might help in the future...

Back when I used to train with Mr. Miyagi he drilled the following in my head-"Always look date". Constantly. There was even an exercise I had to do with my right hand where I made a half circle to get the frost off. I had to do those things until I thought my shoulder would separate! In the end it was worth it though because I've rarely bought old frozen food since and as an added bonus I won the All Valley Tournament.

I would also absolutely go and talk to the farmer and tell them what you experienced and your frustrations with it. Not necessarily expecting a refund or replacement but getting a firm understanding if this is what you can expect should you choose to do business w them in the future. Most of the farmers I have talked with are receptive to this type of feedback and want to be upfront with their customers.

Hope this helps.

edited for: spelling and hilarity.

The Farmers I deal with have no dates on their chickens, 'sell by' or 'use by'.
If the chicken you purchased was frozen on the date in question and not subsequently thawed and refrozen, it should be perfectly fine. When Farmers have excess, they freeze what they can't sell fresh.
I don't know what the attraction is these day's of anything called a 'Farmers Market'.
I frequent some road side markets in Wisconsin and even there you find things for sale that were purchased commercially for sale just as if you were in a Supermarket.
I ALWAYS inquire whether the item for sale was raised by the seller and the pedigree. Getting to know the seller is a requirement to sourcing true non-commercially raised meat and produce. There are commercial small producers i purchase from such as Pinn Oaks for lamb but before purchasing I do my research.-Dick

I've had this frustration at the Green City Market. Last year, I bought a piece of frozen meat from a vendor. When he handed it to me, I noticed that the processing date was quite a while back and so I asked him about it. He just looked at me and ask if I still wanted it.

As others have said, the quality of the meat will be perfectly fine. I am quite sure that I have a chicken frozen in my freezer that I bought in May. So my advice is to enjoy the chicken and not bother to return it.